Employee Name

How do you ask for an employee's name without them suspecting you being a mystery shopper?

I have an upcoming shop at a fast casual restaurant and the MSC requires that you obtain the cashier's name or the shop gets rejected. I've been to that restaurant as a customer before and half the times the employee's don't wear their name tags and the names aren't on the receipt. I've asked the MSC and they said a description of the employee is not good enough and that I need to ask the employee for their name if they aren't wearing a name tag. I would appreciate any tips to ask for a employee's name to avoid being spotted as the shopper.

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If there is a survey on the receipt, you could ask and let them know you want to name them on it.

Otherwise, for Fast Food, that is a tough one. You risk looking very creepy. If it is table service, you can ask. It depends on the delivery of the request. Depends on gender, age difference, etc. I just change it up depending on what's going to work at the time.

If they are young enough to be my kid, I'll just say, "Oh thanks sweetie. What's your name in case I need anything?" That usually works.

I have seemed to get away with telling them that they look so much like someone I grew up with. (If I think they are close to my age), then, “is you’re name (any name)? They have 100% of the time told me their name and we have a little laugh.

Or just, "Are you Jane?" They often answer, "No I am Angie," or some such.

BTW, I just did a fast casual place for ACL. No name tags, no name on the receipt, just a cashier number. It was an adult, so I asked, "Who are you when you are not number 232?" He said, "We never give our names here." I reported it exactly as he said it and was paid. No questions asked. But, I did give a detailed description.

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.

Why not ask the scheduler what they suggest. Otherwise, if the MSC is going to be that inflexible, maybe it is not worth doing the shop. Many MSC's understand that you may not be able to get the name so a description is fine.

I tried that today and it didn't work. I asked her, "Are you, Natalie?" She just said no. Then I said, "Are you Tracy's daughter?" She smiled and then again just said, "No." Argh!!! Good thing a description would suffice for this shop.

@walesmaven wrote:

Or just, "Are you Jane?" They often answer, "No I am Angie," or some such.

BTW, I just did a fast casual place for ACL. No name tags, no name on the receipt, just a cashier number. It was an adult, so I asked, "Who are you when you are not number 232?" He said, "We never give our names here." I reported it exactly as he said it and was paid. No questions asked. But, I did give a detailed description.

@yappy4 wrote:

I tried that today and it didn't work. I asked her, "Are you, Natalie?" She just said no. Then I said, "Are you Tracy's daughter?" She smiled and then again just said, "No." Argh!!! Good thing a description would suffice for this shop.

Yep. I tried that once 15 years ago at Cold Stone Creamery. I have never used that technique again.

I say, "Are you Brenda? You look like a former student I had". They will say, "No. I am Susan". Bingo! I have the name I need.

Are you one of my former students?

I did that once asking if she was Susan. Her eyes lit up and she said, "Yes." I almost dropped to the floor. That followed several uncomfortable moments of how I knew her...when, of course, I didn't.

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The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

Thanks for the tips everyone!

Once I approached a co worker and 'sheepishly' asked what targets name was because I thought she was my neighbor and I was embarrassed to say anything to her.

Most companies allow a good description in place of a name but not all do and it can be awkward. I had to do that once and I waited until the end of my scenario and said, "You look really familiar, what's your name?" She told me but even if she guessed who I was by then it was too late. Yeah I hate when they aren't wearing name tags or like the other day, the girl was wearing one, but her hair was so long it covered all but the letters "INE" LOL! That could have been so many different names I couldn't even begin to guess, luckily I didn't have to a description was enough.

I did a shop earlier this week where the person's name tag was partially covered up with star stickers except for the first 3 letters of her name!! The name on the receipt did match the first 3 letters, so that was helpful. So in addition to reporting about the similarity of the first 3 letters on her name tag and receipt, she also had a tattoo of a flower on her inner forearm, which I reported as well, in addition to a general description. It must have been good enough, because the shop was approved.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/08/2019 04:20PM by guysmom.

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