First shop- tips on staying hidden?
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Relax! Look at the questions that you have to answer. When you have done the interaction, get out of the line of sight and note which things the employees missed. Also, their descriptions and names, and greetings. You can walk away from the site repeating to yourself things like, "Amanda, 5'3", brown ponytail.". The best way to remember names is to address the person by their name, as in "Thank you Amanda." They really are not looking for you, so relax!
Using this method, you get home and know that anything that you did not note as "missed," they did. That helps with all of those yes/no questions.
Just get out of sight and write your notes.
Using this method, you get home and know that anything that you did not note as "missed," they did. That helps with all of those yes/no questions.
Just get out of sight and write your notes.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
No taking notes, you're right. Maybe try a dress rehearsal? Shop the chain, a different location than assigned to you, or not. Approach it as the real deal. Have a method for timing, get the name(s) required, and make sure to get your receipt. Then, go somewhere out of sight, make your notes of names, etc. Compare your recollections and notes against the report and see if you hit all your marks.
Good luck, BlakeyD!
Good luck, BlakeyD!
BlakeyD, I felt the same way you do and still do. It does get easier each time I do a shop. I've been doing them for 2 years and some of them many times but I still get nervous. Good Luck to you!
In a mall often there are seats somewhere near most locations. It sounds as though you are purchasing food of some sort and a cheat sheet can be hidden in a catalog or sale flyer for a store in the mall. Take your food or beverage away to a bench and review your cheat sheet. You can even make notes looking like you are marking the sale flyer.
I have also found that with the exception of the "specific" questions you sometimes have to ask for shops, for the most part, retail shops are no different that what you do every day while shopping for yourself. Let the conversation flow naturally. You should be able to recall what happened as you complete the report. The trouble I always had as a new shopper was remembering the specific things the client sometimes would want me to ask or avoid asking; I write those things on a separate piece of paper and study that right before I go in to the store. Good luck!!
Oh, the other advice I have is that when shopping the same chain on the same day, the shops can sometimes blend together. Be sure you write down major notes--names and basic "what happened" before you move on to the next one. As for out of the way locations to "hide" and make notes, I love the mother's lounges at the fancy department stores. They're often empty, quiet, and have comfy couches!
Oh, the other advice I have is that when shopping the same chain on the same day, the shops can sometimes blend together. Be sure you write down major notes--names and basic "what happened" before you move on to the next one. As for out of the way locations to "hide" and make notes, I love the mother's lounges at the fancy department stores. They're often empty, quiet, and have comfy couches!
If you have a voice recorder on a cell phone you can record info. This has helped me with grocery stores as there is alot to remember.
On rare occasions I take notes on my cell phone and just act like I am texting.
Granted I have a pretty high end phone with swipe text so it takes me seconds to enter.
Not sure if this is a no-no or not but like i said on rare occasions this old brain needs to jot down a little ditty
Granted I have a pretty high end phone with swipe text so it takes me seconds to enter.
Not sure if this is a no-no or not but like i said on rare occasions this old brain needs to jot down a little ditty
I think we all do something like that from time to time. Just as long as no one sees us etc.
I have seen more and more guidelines suggesting the use of cell phones for note taking. They are prevalent and commonplace enough to be an inconspicuous tool.
I'm none too fast texting. Predictive text gives me fits. I've played with swipe text on cell shops. Neato!
I'm none too fast texting. Predictive text gives me fits. I've played with swipe text on cell shops. Neato!
Mert it really is very cool and so fast!
I use my new digital voice recorder and can upload the file. But I'm pretty good at remembering too. I can sit in a sports bar, Mexican restaurant or ff restaurant and use their own WiFi and post details on them while still there. lol I just pull my game back up anytime anyone is coming near me. I can have a ff done before I leave the restaurant or at the very least the parking lot next door.
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