This is a happy story but I won't be mentioning the MSC or the client as I'd rather someone not assume that they would allow this if the circumstances were slightly different. I instantly take a photo of every receipt I get and of course make sure I hold onto the paper copy as well. Last week while visiting a city I picked up a fast casual shop at a small regional chain. I had a full day of non-mystery shopping activities so I knew I wouldn't be doing the report until late that night. (It had a 24-hour deadline.) Late that night I start to write the report and open up my photos to get the picture of the receipt -- and it's not there. Then I search all my pants, jacket and backpack pockets. No receipt. I figured it was a good thing I'd enjoyed the meal as there wasn't much chance of getting the reimbursement or the fee (which was pretty decent for an easy shop and relatively short form). I also didn't want to get a flake citation for an MSC I've only done two prior shops for, so I filled out the form, included a screencap of my credit card statement showing the transaction, and submitted the report. I also emailed the scheduler, explained what happened and mentioned that since I had just been visiting I'd understand if they needed to repost the shop. I also offered to send a photo of my meal (which was not required but which I took both out of habit and for timing note purposes). To my amazement the scheduler wrote back saying the credit card statement was fine and the next day the shop was approved with no questions or push-back. The lesson is that when you goof on a requirement it's better to ask than to flake.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/2019 03:29PM by NinS.

Some shops even state credit card receipt Not accepted. You just got lucky.

Good for you. Perseverance conquers again! I cannot remember how many times I have freaked not being able to find my receipt. It has always turned up but it seems I have put it in some strange place or it got stuck in a book. I don't know how many hours I have spent since I started mystery shopping looking for elusive receipts. Probably happens to all of us at some time or other.

Yes, always ask, even if guidelines say it won't be accepted.

I had two books in my bag -- I can't tell you how many times I went through each page looking for the receipt. Often when I return a book to the library I find a few receipts from long-ago reports tucked in.

@sandyf wrote:

Good for you. Perseverance conquers again! I cannot remember how many times I have freaked not being able to find my receipt. It has always turned up but it seems I have put it in some strange place or it got stuck in a book. I don't know how many hours I have spent since I started mystery shopping looking for elusive receipts. Probably happens to all of us at some time or other.

That's awesome they took it! I did a gas station shop last month. The store was closed for remodel but the gas pumps were open as an unattended location. Not a big deal the brand has a few of those anyway and there's an option for it on the report, so away I go with the shop. Pump my gas...….no receipt. I'm thinking OH CRAP at least I'll have my credit card statement. Then I thought, hrm, while I'm here I'll take a photo of the pump showing the total and how much gas was pumped just for backup, so the amounts will match. I uploaded the photo for the pump receipt thinking I would get an email from QC and reply with a screenshot of my bank statement. Next day I check and boom, approved!

So good to hear that they took it! There are times I mess up on shops (forget a timing; forget to evaluate some aspect; whatever) and I am just honest about it in the report. All of the times, I have had my report approved anyway.

I think that they would rather you be honest than to make up something.


Also, did a couple gas stations last week. Just after the gas stations, had a doc appointment. Tucked receipts into my notebook and placed it on the exam table in the doc's office.

Got home to do the report and realized that I had left the notebook (and receipts). It just so happened that it was a Friday; office wasn't open until Monday.

I emailed scheduler and explained; asked if I could do report and submit receipts on Monday. I didn't hear back, so I just redid the shops the next day. Scheduler realized that was what I did and thanked me because then the reports could be sent to the client. I was happy to be acknowledged and thanked, even though it was my mistake.

Sometimes shoppers are willing to go the extra mile because of courteous/kind schedulers/editors

I"m awful about losing things especially receipts. I also take a photo of receipts and business cards immediately. That way if it disappears I have the photo. It's often not a great photo like I'd take at home when doing reports but it is proof at least. I have my photos back up to the cloud as soon as they are taken so hopefully none disappear.

Use money making apps for receipts like receipt hog and receipt pal. Upload in the car before you leave the store. The receipts are there FOREVER

NinS, I did a shop this week and was not given an itemized receipt. I realized it when I got home. I called the restaurant, and the manager could not figure out how to pull the receipt from the cash register.

I contacted the scheduler and let her know what happened. She said it was okay to submit the credit card receipt.

I was very happy. The shop was nicely bonused. I'm happy for both of us!

I as well have had receipts blown away and not given itemized receipts, all of the above, solved the problem by taking my pic as soon as I get in the car. My latest was I wasn't asked if I wanted a drink, and was rang up, then I said I'll have a drink...too much hassle for the cashier, so she didn't charge me, gave me something to write about, but hope she didn't get in trouble...I had to order a drink or would have let it go.

I think I only once couldn't find my receipt and it was for the MSC that used to shop Chipotle. I emailed my scheduler and explained. The shop was accepted without the receipt. A few times cashiers have not rung up for required purchases in the past. I just took a photo of the item that I wasn't charged for, just in case.

Weird, double posted.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/2019 11:33PM by JASFLALMT.

I had a similar situation. I looked everywhere and couldn't find the receipt. Finally, I sent a photo of the unusual item I had purchased. It was a store with limited inventory, so it could be easily verified. I also had a geoverify code, so that helped. I was very happy it was accepted! I have gotten in the habit of using geoverify for all my shops, just in case. This is an example of where it came in handy because the purchase wasn't the main focus of the shop, it was just to prove that I was there.

There is a convenience store that I have shopped regularly for a few years. The reports are usually stellar. The one time there was an issue, i paid cash and didn't get a receipt. I returned to the location 20 minutes later, and the clerk magically could not pull it up.

I noted all of this in the report. My shop was rejected.

@HonnyBrown One cool thing about the Wawa rewards app is that not only do you earn stuff for your purchases (every $50 spent on made to order and a bunch of other stuff gets a reward), but they keep a record of your transactions. You can either use a gift card where you pay within the app or just use the rewards card. Not sure if that is the shop you're talking about, but just fyi

today I did not lose the receipt but I read wrong and did not order a drink along my shop meal! I immediately emailed the scheduler and let her know. I ordered the drink after on a separate receipt. Surprisingly it was accepted and my shop was not invalid. Better to be honest and cough it up instead of risk it...thank god!