Are the Red Lobster shop photos difficult to obtain?

Just now seeing that Red Lobster is being shopped. I am wondering if the photos are difficult to obtain?

Has anyone done these? If so, how did you like it?

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Nope. They are easy. People take pictures of everything these days. We did one of these shops. It was fine.

I have done a few. They are very easy to take.

Very easy. Everyone takes pix of their food, and of the lobster tank, after all.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

The pics are pretty easy to take. The only pic that was kind awkward was the dining room, but I had my husband take a quick pic on our way out.

I love Red Lobster. Reminds me of taking an Pic of the DR for the Chill's shop I did last year

Anyone interested in saying which company???

nana,
After 7 years on the forum, you know that wod be an ICA violation as well as a violation of forum rules.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

I wish I knew too

@nanabelle wrote:

Anyone interested in saying which company???

Mediocre food and no fee? Why?

@Niner wrote:

Nope. They are easy. People take pictures of everything these days. We did one of these shops. It was fine.

How was the report?

I greatly dislike the company's reports who has this project, but my mom is a huge shrimp lover, so I was thinking I'd do the shop to take her.

Concern was about the lobster tank and multiple dining room photos.

Do you all turn off flash on camera?

Also, the $100/dinner reimb. looks decent.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2020 12:15AM by shoptastic.

@shoptastic flash is off. For dining room pictures i hold my phone like I'm looking at something on it and click a few pictures. Tank picture is not so bad either, since it is pretty much a novelty. I think a lot of people probably take pictures of it.

That MSC has the no flash rule in their guidelines for every single shop that requires photos. It's not a new requirement.

I couldn't find the Red Lobster shop, but I just got an email for it and snagged it! So looking forward to it. The guidelines say you are encouraged to use a flash if there is low lighting.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2020 12:22PM by mjt9598.

You will probably not need a flash. Just check each photo on your phone's screen to see if it is okay.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

That MSC has the no flash rule in their guidelines for every single shop that requires photos. It's not a new requirement.

The guidelines for Red Lobster say to use flash if needed. I used it for the food pictures because the lighting was low but not the dining room picture.

I was nervous about the dining room and lobster tank pics but nobody batted an eye.

@shoptastic wrote:

@Niner wrote:

Nope. They are easy. People take pictures of everything these days. We did one of these shops. It was fine.

How was the report?

I greatly dislike the company's reports who has this project, but my mom is a huge shrimp lover, so I was thinking I'd do the shop to take her.

Concern was about the lobster tank and multiple dining room photos.

Do you all turn off flash on camera?

Also, the $100/dinner reimb. looks decent.

Compared to a Coyle report, the ones for this MSC are easy, about 75% less effort. Compared to every other MSC, these reports are more work. It was not a big deal taking the photos. You don't need flash for the photos.

@SoCalMama wrote:

@nanabelle wrote:

Anyone interested in saying which company???
Mediocre food and no fee? Why?

Here's why I do these no fee shops- to spend $100, I need to earn $159. I can easily cook at home and would find spending money at a restaurant something I don't need to do. I would rather invest the cash. So, the reason I do these, is that it's fun to go out and have that experience. It's also fun to order with abandon. This place is so inexpensive that two people could order whatever they wanted in multiple and not even reach the limit. I would not do this in real life and feel like I won something. If this was money I didn't get back, I would feel guilty. Growing up, we went out for special occasions, that's it. So going out still has that "special occassion" and extravagant feeling, no matter what our incomes are now (we could afford it).

To add to niner's comments...
As a solo diner, I can choose carefully the 4 seafood items to have on their special platter deal, thus avoiding the items at which they do not excel. I can then add two sides of fresh veggies, usually very well prepared and of very generous portions. In addition, I will get refills of cheese biscuits. 100% reimbursed. Enough food to take home for TWO additional meals. I do not have a dining partner and cannot drive at night. Thus, am locked out of evening dining assignments. These solo lunches are a treat, very cost effective and, frankly, that report is a breeze. btw, the extra cheese biscuits are great, warmed up and served with the next morning's scrambled eggs.

This is not haute cuisine, but no need to turn up my nose at good food in pleasant surroundings on favorable terms.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

I haven't done these particular shops, so I didn't know about the flash for low-lighting. Makes sense. I just know most of their guidelines ask that you not use your flash to avoid drawing attention, which also makes sense.

It goes to show how each location within a chain can vary. The locations in my area are disgusting and after my stepdaughter explained to me about the dirty kitchen (I didn't want to go into detail about the mouse droppings and chewed cardboard in the storage area, but there you go), there is no way I would eat there. I am glad that other people go to newer locations that have clean kitchens (one can hope). But if you only see the front of house and dining area, how do you know? Really not sure why the health inspectors don't close ours down, seems like a pretty major infraction to me.

Yikes! In the two counties where I tend to do all of my dining shops, the health departments are well funded and diligent about shutting down (and I mean DOWN) any food serving place were they would find such conditions. Reopening cannot occur until a complete inspection is passed . Places that are shut due to inspection issues are shut immediately and a huge, bright sticker placed on the door. And, all restaurants are frequently checked. Once any violations are found, the frequency is stepped up. All inspection results are posted, on line, for the public to see.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

Yeah, so after I posted, I went online and looked, and I saw several restaurants (including Red Lobster) where possible rodent/insect infestation was not a big enough violation to shut the location down. It takes that and multiple other infractions to get them closed if they do have a pest control program in place. As long as the program is in place, even if it's not 100% effective, they won't shut them down. I think they get a slap on the wrist, so to speak, and warned, and it has to be remedied by the time of the next inspection.

The location by us was completely remodeled. It's beautiful inside. I was not expecting that at all.

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Are the Red Lobster shop photos difficult to obtain?

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