Restaurant shop times
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I'd start the visit at, or just after 8:30 if I had not more information than this. It's a really short time window for a visit and kind of sounds like they specifically want you there right at 8:30 and to leave around 10:00. It might be that a 9:45 arrival is just fine, but I would not personally risk it.
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JMHO, if no additional guidance was provided beyond the time listed as 8:30PM-10PM, I would interpret that as complete the shop within that time frame, arriving no earlier than 8:30PM and leaving no later than 10PM.
Each msc job seems to have a different take on time frames. For most of the food jobs I do (no traditional fast food such as walk up burgers) the specific hours are a window for arrival. I can stay beyond the time frame. There usually is a note somewhere in the guidelines explaining this. If in doubt at all I would make sure to check with the scheduler. If you cannot reach the scheduler stay within those hours for arrival and leaving.
I always interpret it to mean the time of arrival unless otherwise stated.
A lot of MSCs want the visit done within the listed window. I definitely wouldn't risk leaving the restaurant later than 10, so arrival at or shortly after 8:30 would be wise. Not many people want to eat later than 9 anyway.
It sounds like time of arrival. I do recommend checking the restaurant's hours, calling to verify the latest one can arrive and be seated (when does the kitchen close).
IMHO, requiring we leave before a specific time does not give a shopper time to finish a restaurant shop properly should any delays happen. Bundle in waiting to be seated, slow service, and potential food issues needing to be resolved, 90 minutes is not sufficient time for a fine dining shop.
A perfect situation for fine dining, without a separate bar visit, is 60 minutes minimum.
IMHO, requiring we leave before a specific time does not give a shopper time to finish a restaurant shop properly should any delays happen. Bundle in waiting to be seated, slow service, and potential food issues needing to be resolved, 90 minutes is not sufficient time for a fine dining shop.
A perfect situation for fine dining, without a separate bar visit, is 60 minutes minimum.
My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.
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When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
At many restaurants, the kitchen closes at 10 or 11. A start time at 8:30 or 9 seems fair. And rarely is there a wait after 8:30 unless it's some special holiday or event. Maybe that's why the MSC (or client) chose to have the shopper come in after 8:30?
It was a pretty popular restaurant on a Saturday night so I did encounter a wait time. After waiting on be seated as well as having to order 3 courses I was in the restaurant until past 11 PM. Not to mention the report . was due at midnight the same day..
Sometimes I just dont understand these MSC's..
Sometimes I just dont understand these MSC's..
I just ask the scheduler. Sometimes I HAVE to know, as I travel far, and time can get really important. "Do I have to have the shop completed by 2?"
Sometimes they say to just make sure the receipt is time stamped before 2, sometimes they say the entire shop must be completed and the location exited before 2.
And sometimes the scheduler's just wrong, and that's when things get interesting.
Sometimes they say to just make sure the receipt is time stamped before 2, sometimes they say the entire shop must be completed and the location exited before 2.
And sometimes the scheduler's just wrong, and that's when things get interesting.
Living on the West coast a midnight due time on the same day is often impossible. Many east or midwest companies will change the time due if I ask. Most restaurants I do have a minimum of 12 hours to report but that means even if you eat an early dinner at 6 or so and then go somewhere afterwards and get home late you need to do the report immediately or get up at 4 AM. It is best to avoid doing shops like that on the last day of the date range available as that will often trigger a midnight due time.
@Tereceag wrote:
It was a pretty popular restaurant on a Saturday night so I did encounter a wait time. After waiting on be seated as well as having to order 3 courses I was in the restaurant until past 11 PM. Not to mention the report . was due at midnight the same day..
Sometimes I just dont understand these MSC's..
This reminds me (the times you have) of the Irish restaurant where you order a decent amount of food and reimbursement is $45. 
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