I just completed an unusual (at least for me) shop at Applebee's last night. The requirement was to order two of their new featured drinks (Bud Light Seltzer and a special Daiquiri-Margarita combination) and take pictures of both. No reimbursement involved as it was a straight fee shop for $25. The drinks would cost $10 so enough left over to order some food but they didn't want to know anything about what I ate in the report. I went alone as my wife was not available to join me. They wanted pictures of both drinks as delivered. I was just given the can of Seltzer and asked if I wanted a glass. He put the glass down but didn't pour it for me so I took a picture of the empty glass next to the can.
After drinking about 1/4 of the Seltzer I told the bartender it didn't have much flavor so I ordered the Daiquiri special drink to go with my food. It was apparently the first time he had made that drink as he consulted an instruction sheet. The Daiquiri- Margarita was huge and I could only finish about 1/3rd of it and didn't want to have to call Uber. My 6 oz steak was pretty good by the way.
When I got my final bill, I was surprised that the bartender comped my Seltzer, although it was only $3. On top of everything else, I think they figured out I was a mystery shopper due to my ordering of their featured drinks. The Manager even asked me if I was enjoying my drinks/meal. I wasn't sure how all of this would be viewed by the MSC but got an email this morning that the shop was approved. I should add, I'm not a big drinker!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2020 04:30PM by kenasch.

I'm doing this shop tonight. Thanks for telling me what to expect. I will hopefully be bringing my Professional Shop Companion, Mr. Cat, with me. Neither of us are thrilled with the drink selections.

I'm doing this one tomorrow and will be dining alone. Not sure how it will go, but hoping for the best.

You handled that well. No one in real life would order those two drinks while dining alone. Sometimes I think the MSC wants us to be outted. There are no applebees close by so I won't be doing this shop.

Also the instructions and survey don’t quite jive. You are told to order the special margarita but the survey form asks if you ordered that or the special Long Island Tea. I asked before hand and was told that I could only order the special Margarita (as well as the seltzer). They also ask what size/type of glass you received the drink in. I had now way to figure that out and told them so.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2020 08:59PM by kenasch.

I saw those jobs. Think you for sharing Kenasch. Scheduled shoppers, please let us know if you were outed. I would think so.

I picked one up for tomorrow. Looking forward to try out White Claw's competition. Haven't really been a fan of the seltzers, but the White Claw trend's really killing the breweries out here.

I was considering doing this shop too, but like you said I thought the scenario was a little odd and I don't usually like to do straight pay shops with no reimbursement.

@JonnyY wrote:

I was considering doing this shop too, but like you said I thought the scenario was a little odd and I don't usually like to do straight pay shops with no reimbursement.

It’s a net $12-13 profit when it’s all said and done....

Finished my shop today. Not sure why you guys think the purchase requirement’s suspicious and would out you as a shopper....

The only thing that caught someone off was an old guy sitting at the bar top near me stating he typically saw women my age drink the seltzer’s.... Which he’s right. Otherwise, I blended in just fine. Not sure what y’all do to get outed?

The seltzer stuff isn’t that bad, but I hope this whole Whiteclaw trend dies off. The other drink is just a sugary mess though. I’m more of a whiskey neat, Old Fashioned type of guy.... But Applebee’s doesn’t even have bitters!!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/12/2020 09:32AM by Tarantado.

It's not unusual. The alcoholic seltzers are still a kinda new trend. Pretty common for people to try one and find they don't like it. If you don't finish a drink, any decent bar will comp it. After a comp, it is normal for a manager to stop and check. Sounds like they did exactly the right thing. Nothing unusual.

A daiquiri seems like a nice drink to follow. It's refreshing and not lacking flavor. The only odd part is that these aren't exactly winter drinks. I don't think ordering out of season is considered odd any more.

Methinks, the alcoholic seltzers are the new wine cooler. Or just some bizarre combination to get us to spend money.

I did two of them (different locations). I had to order the seltzer and the Emerald L.I.T, for a total of $8 plus tax and tip. Very easy. Should have picked up more before NJ closed the restaurants today (take-out or delivery only now).