@Jbrz123 wrote:
The shops are still unrevealed but it's difficult to covertly take photos when you're the only customer or it's a smaller station. Usually they'll just ignore me but once in a while I'll be approached. In my area some of the small scale owners are very protective of their stations and don't like the surprise. Pretty much every owner who has approached me has been completely unaware of the mystery shop program and I've had to explain it to them. I understand their hesitation as I would also be wary of strangers taking pictures of my property if I had no idea why.
@Jbrz123 wrote:
The shops are still unrevealed but it's difficult to covertly take photos when you're the only customer or it's a smaller station. Usually they'll just ignore me but once in a while I'll be approached.
@myst4au wrote:
The closest I came to this was a debrand about 5 years ago in NJ where everything is full-serve. I presented the letter inside the convenience store as required, and was told that I could not take any photos. I said OK, and as I walked out took a few photos anyway. I almost had all I needed outside when the manager (?) came out and spoke to the pump attendant in another language and told me that they were calling the police. I got in my car, figuring I could complete the photos from there. A few minutes later, the police arrived and went inside. I drove across the street and got the required long view of the station. They were so out of compliance that it wasn't funny. If I hadn't known that is was a debrand, I would not have been able to tell from the look of the station. I reported what had happened, and got paid the full fee. Now that I am older and wiser, I would have just left earlier. A month later, the MSC offered to triple my fee if I went back. I said no.
@bgriffin wrote:
@Jbrz123 wrote:
The shops are still unrevealed but it's difficult to covertly take photos when you're the only customer or it's a smaller station. Usually they'll just ignore me but once in a while I'll be approached.
I know this is a bit off the subject and not to nitpick, but were you approached or did you do a reveal proactively? In the OP you stated you did a reveal, then you say you get approached. I'm not trying to be critical, just giving a bit of advice. I've done 1000's (literally I did 450 a quarter for 2 1/2 years) of audits just like this. I know in the beginning you think OMG there's no way they're not gonna see me I'm just gonna go ahead do a reveal. I've found it's much easier not to. Doing the reveal sets you up for being declined and adds 2-3 minutes at minimum to your audit. You say you've done 200 of them? At 3 minutes each you've worked 10 hours too long with no extra pay. If you just take the photos and forget about them seeing you or not you'll save another 2-3 minutes. So now you're up to 20 extra hours. On top of that, when they see you, 1 of 3 things is going to happen. They're gonna think, hrm, that's the auditor, or hrm, why is this person taking photos I should call the manager and ask what to do, or hrm, why is this person taking photos I should go ask them. Most of them will be #1, so no problem. The ones that are #2 will take long enough to call and find out that you're the auditor or find out they should do something that you'll likely be done with your audit so it's a moot point. I've found that when #3 happens you say "oh, I'm from petroleumfillingstationbrand doing your audit, do you need to see my letter of authorization, it's in the car?" 95% Will so no, it's ok. A few will ask to see it. Even less will get upset and ask you to leave.
Be friendly. Act like you belong. Assume they will see you and don't worry about it if they do. State who you are in a way that makes you think there's no way they would bother to see your LOA since you offered it and it's right over there 20 feet away in your car.
@Jbrz123 wrote:
@myst4au wrote:
The closest I came to this was a debrand about 5 years ago in NJ where everything is full-serve. I presented the letter inside the convenience store as required, and was told that I could not take any photos. I said OK, and as I walked out took a few photos anyway. I almost had all I needed outside when the manager (?) came out and spoke to the pump attendant in another language and told me that they were calling the police. I got in my car, figuring I could complete the photos from there. A few minutes later, the police arrived and went inside. I drove across the street and got the required long view of the station. They were so out of compliance that it wasn't funny. If I hadn't known that is was a debrand, I would not have been able to tell from the look of the station. I reported what had happened, and got paid the full fee. Now that I am older and wiser, I would have just left earlier. A month later, the MSC offered to triple my fee if I went back. I said no.
My original post happened at a gas station in NJ! I think this is an NJ phenomenon with the full service pumps. What did you say to the police? I feel like I'd have trouble explaining mystery shopping on the spot.
You couldn't pay me enough to do an NJ debrand shop the branded ones are hard enough!
@LIJake wrote:
And then finish the job you are paid to do.
@bgriffin wrote:
Agreed. And trying to talk them into it is a waste of time and money.
Option 1 - spend 5 minutes talking them into the audit. Spend 20 minutes on the audit. Spend 20 minutes doing the report. Make $25.
Option 2 - drive off. Spend 5 minutes on a report. Make $25
Why in the world would you do option 1????
@bgriffin wrote:
Agreed. And trying to talk them into it is a waste of time and money.
Option 1 - spend 5 minutes talking them into the audit. Spend 20 minutes on the audit. Spend 20 minutes doing the report. Make $25.
Option 2 - drive off. Spend 5 minutes on a report. Make $25
Why in the world would you do option 1????