When shopping does its job

Sometimes, after shopping a location and writing a very poor report, I happen to go back as a returning shopper, real customer, etc. and get the sense that the location could have cared less about a failed shop. Sometimes, the store seems to take reports very seriously.... I have to give kudos to Jack in the Box for this one...

I was doing some apartments yesterday and walked by a JIB that I had shopped about three weeks ago. This particular JIB location had taken me almost 40 minutes as I had to take countless pictures of various infractions: graffiti, broken windows, more graffiti, algae growing on the sides, more graffiti, etc. It was really bad. When I passed by yesterday, it looked like a completely new store. Every issue I had document had been fixed and it was now about the cleanest-looking, best-maintained building in the neighborhood.

It does feel good when I spend quite a bit of time on a shop and the client takes it seriously.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

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Agree 100%.

I did a video shop of an apartment recently, and there was a large electrical breaker box on the side of a building, with multiple wires hanging out loose. There were kids’ bikes and toys underneath, but no kids. I made sure to video it, twice, walking back and forth with the target (who just said, “Mmmhmm” and kept walking when I pointed it out to him on-camera.)

Anyway, I walked back off-camera post-shop and stuffed the wires as best I could back in the box, latching it. Put three different mentions in the report about the situation.

Drove by a week later, because it was on my mind, worrying me. The box had been replaced and padlocked. I called the leasing office and asked for the leasing agent I’d evaluated; was told, “He’s no longer with this location.”

Felt good after that.

I do a lot of mystery/revealed gas stations. It always surprises me that the cashier does not mention the rewards program. Evertime I mark on my report that it wasn't mentioned and yet it never changes. Doesn't the manager talk to the employees.

Ha! I do mostly mystery convenience stores, not the ones you are talking about. But, sometimes it's the manager ringing up my sales and they don't mention the rewards program or offer the upsell, either. Which has to hurt a bit when they get the report. I guess they must not know I am the shopper.

I shop Goodwill on a regular basis, both as a customer and a shopper. One location had an annoying issue and I put it in my report. The issue was addressed by my next shop.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

I shopped a bank branch awhile ago. The signage was partly missing, dirty outside, and a pan handler hanging in the ATM area. When I went back everything that I observed was fixed, and they had a security guard available in the branch.

Agreed! I have shopped some Jack locations recently and when driving by them a week later, I have seen areas of neglect fixed. It does give me a sense of accomplishment.

I am always happy to see a new flag flying at the post offices after I've reported a frayed flag.

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

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The first gas station I ever did was a disgrace. It was the only one for 10 miles around and they thought they could get away with everything. The sidewalk in front had a 1 inch buildup of cigarette butts and litter where the wind blows it up against the lip. The exterior walls were brown, and the building was painted green. I won't list all of the violations but suffice it to say the list was longggggggggg. When I went back the next time it looked almost normal. It was still old and decrepit but a lot of elbow grease and (probably) power washers had been there. It was gratifying and was one of the reasons I kept doing gas stations.

I have noticed that after a few pictures of items (such as damaged sales posters, etc) that they get fixed eventually... I think for JIB the fix depends if the store is franchise or corporate store. I can't verify this directly, but I seem to believe that some franchise stores just take longer to making improvements...

I did a newly remodeled Mobil station a while back. The pump numbers had been put on the colums next to each pump, so the number was not visible in the picture. I mentioned it in the notes. I did the location today and each pump had a number on the front.

Aww I love when this happens

I had a recorded audio apartment shop that I do everytime I am up for rotation. I have watched one of their employees move up the chain and excel from her awesome attitude and perfect reports. It made my heart so happy.
On the flipside, I have gotten many fired. That always makes me sad as they have families. I can handle the indirect way but quit doing revealed alcohol compliance for a chain while I was still elligible when two got fired in front of me for it. That was so heartbreaking to see!!

@monarch2003 wrote:

Aww I love when this happens
I had a recorded audio apartment shop that I do everytime I am up for rotation. I have watched one of their employees move up the chain and excel from her awesome attitude and perfect reports. It made my heart so happy.
On the flipside, I have gotten many fired. That always makes me sad as they have families. I can handle the indirect way but quit doing revealed alcohol compliance for a chain while I was still elligible when two got fired in front of me for it. That was so heartbreaking to see!!

I can understand why it would bother some people to think that they got people fired but that is why they want someone to do this work to tell them when someone is doing a good job and when they are messing up.

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When shopping does its job

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