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Digital Timing

April 17, 2019 02:10AM
Hi all,
I"m excited to say that I have my very first shop scheduled for next week! It's a fast food shop, and my main question has to do with digital timing. I'm supposed to use a digital timer to time how long it takes to get my food. The guidelines also state to stay near the counter and observe the food prep. I'm really not sure how to go about being discreet with the timer, nor what kind of timer to use. I'm assuming a stop watch is out, as that would be too obvious. Is there a digital timing app, and if so, is there a particular app you recommend? Even if the timer is on my phone, how can I be discreet?
Any other general tips you have for my first shop would be greatly appreciated!
Thank so much.
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April 17, 2019 03:13AM
A digital watch is what I use. Even the inexpensive ones have a stop watch function.
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April 17, 2019 05:10AM
Yes, a cheap watch is fine. If you prefer an app, try mystery shopwatch lite. It creates a timing point every time you tap a volume button, so you can trigger it while in your purse or pocket.
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April 17, 2019 11:17AM
I used the time events with a stopwatch on Apple Watch. I like the app cause it can time full events up to 11 hours, 55 minutes and keep track of lap or split times, then show the results as a list, a graph, or live on your watch face!
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April 17, 2019 02:44PM
Quick tip if you have an iPhone: Have your phone open so that you can see the "clock" app with all your other apps. You'll notice that it has a second hand that moves. When you finish ordering, screen shot that screen. You'll have the full time at the top of the shot and the second hand, so there's no confusion. When they call your number, screen shot it again. Then do math.

At no point will you look suspicious, you don't have to fumble with discretely starting and stopping a timer, no one will see a stopwatch going on your phone, and you'll have a completely accurate time.
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April 20, 2019 02:20AM
If you want to look at Android apps, check out Digital Clock, Time Stamp R, Mystery Stopwatch, and Shop IT. Each performs slightly different functions.
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April 20, 2019 02:49AM
I use the voice recorder app. I put the do not disturb on, start the app before I leave my car, state the time, tuck it into my purse pocket with microphone end of phone facing up and let it run while I am doing my order. I can use a word for when I enter the line, can hear when I was greeted and when I was handed my receipt and hear when my order was called. I just play back the recording and note the time stamps for each point.
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April 20, 2019 10:32PM
@shopsuey wrote:

Quick tip if you have an iPhone: Have your phone open so that you can see the "clock" app with all your other apps. You'll notice that it has a second hand that moves. When you finish ordering, screen shot that screen. You'll have the full time at the top of the shot and the second hand, so there's no confusion. When they call your number, screen shot it again. Then do math.

At no point will you look suspicious, you don't have to fumble with discretely starting and stopping a timer, no one will see a stopwatch going on your phone, and you'll have a completely accurate time.

That’s a great tip. If you add “Assistive Touch” you can also have a single icon on the screen to press to get a screen capture. The only problem is that the icon sort of floats around and sometimes gets in my way. I may just activate when I need screen captures for times while on a shop.
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