Always, as for any shop, read your guidelines and the report form as soon as you are assigned a shop. If you have any questions, there may be time to get a response. The LOA is a required part of the uniform photo. It needs to be laying on the counter, with the lower portion filled out by the shopper, and not held up in front of the employees shirt because this makes it appear they are hiding something on the shirt. Rather than sneaking photos of the employee, take the photo, but don't use it. Then ask them to leave the LOA on the counter and say you need to take a photo of the counter area without them in it. Things are always changing, so they don't know why you are taking it. If they refuse the photo, just take a picture of the counter with the letter on it. Don't argue with them and don't discuss the consequences of a refusal, that is not your place.
When I am asked any questions about the shop, which is almost always at every location, I say I am not allowed (which we are not) to discuss any aspect of the shop, because I do not know what they use the information for and I would not want to give them an incorrect answer.
I check off stuff as I go. My cheat sheet includes:
Rewards question yes or no
Digital wallet yes or no
Photos:
Uniform
Restroom
My Shirt
Overall
Main ID
High Rise
Koala
Wave
Top Tier
and numbers 1 - 12 for the pumps. Most locations in my area do not have more than 12 pumps. If there are more, I just add the number on site.
I made a template with this info and after printing the page with the address and phone number, I just run them through the printer again.
I no longer use the report form on site, but would suggest you do until you know what you are looking for.
When taking the pump photos, first take the overall and then any issues that may be present. That way you know what pump had what issues.
I guess I am old fashioned, but I still use a camera and do my reports at home. I make a folder for the month with a sub folder for each route. In the sub folder I have another folder with the job id for each of that days locations.
Before you take any photos at the location, take a photo of the cover sheet showing the job id and address. This will keep your locations separated and you won't accidently submit shots of a wrong location.
If you are not sure whether or not signage is current, take a photo. Right now the current is so similar to the expired it can sometimes be difficult for a new shopper.
Always take a photo of both sides of the main id. This way, if there is a question about it, you have proof of a correct answer.
I do all of this because I do not like having to go back and get a missing photo or have a shop removed because I can't get back to that area in a timely manner.
I still have my photos from 2009, when I began shopping, only because I have a folder with all my shops from each year. This actually came in handy once. I was asked if there was any way I could clarify something about a shop I had done over a year previously. They knew it was a longshot and I was not expected to be able to answer. I was able to pull up the photos and then remember what they were talking about at this location.