What is the "forecourt" at a gas station?

I just picked up an Shell POP shop. The shop requires a photo of the forecourt but there is nothing indicating what the forecourt is.

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

More About Gas Station Mystery Shopping

For shell, it's the space between the canopy and the store. It's an angled shot, taken from one corner of the canopy. I always take at least two, one from the left, one from the right.

You're right, this is often confusing. Some MSCs want you to stand with your back to the building and take the pic toward the canopy; others want it from different places.

And if I'm wrong, someone correct me QUICK, before this shopper does it wrong!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/14/2021 07:57PM by ceasesmith.

Thanks, cease. At least I know the general area now. LOL

@ceasesmith wrote:

For shell, it's the space between the canopy and the store. It's an angled shot, taken from one corner of the canopy. I always take at least two, one from the left, one from the right.

You're right, this is often confusing. Some MSCs want you to stand with your back to the building and take the pic toward the canopy; others want it from different places.

And if I'm wrong, someone correct me QUICK, before this shopper does it wrong!

My interpretation has always been the area of the front of the shop and the pumps is referred to as the "forecourt".
For this particular photo, I always go with my "Rule of 4" - stand at each corner and take a photo. So, just take a photo standing at each corner (4 corners), take a photo showing the drive paths between the pumps and the shop.
Since its a Shell station, your first photo won't be good enough. Not to worry, you should have 3 more to submit!

I always take the forecourt shot to include the drive path in front of the pump island and including some of the canopy and pumps of course. Never had one sent back for it and I got that from the sample in the guidelines.

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

Mark Twain

From the Shell mystery shop/audit guidelines:
Forecourt:
• A full shot of the forecourt while standing at an edge of the canopy.
• Forecourt photo should include driveways, canopy columns, and canopy underside.

My understanding has always been a shot that shows the fueling area under the canopy, taken from a corner, at an angle that shows the paved surface on the bottom and the canopy underside on the top. I don't believe the area between the store and the canopy is relevant.

[cstoredecisions.com]

Thanks. I've never done a 'regular' audit at Shell, this is just a mystery POP audit. Unfortunately, the guidelines for this job are few. The only reference to the forecourt in the in the document is "...safely take an overall photo of the forecourt, capturing as much of the POP as possible, if present".

Your info was helpful, I don't know why they didn't give that detail in this description.

quote=mystery2me]
From the Shell mystery shop/audit guidelines:
Forecourt:
• A full shot of the forecourt while standing at an edge of the canopy.
• Forecourt photo should include driveways, canopy columns, and canopy underside.

My understanding has always been a shot that shows the fueling area under the canopy, taken from a corner, at an angle that shows the paved surface on the bottom and the canopy underside on the top. I don't believe the area between the store and the canopy is relevant.[/quote]

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2021 01:30PM by callinectes.

Actually, it's spelled out clearly in the guidelines. With photo examples.

In the guidelines there is a picture of the forecourt. When I did these I tried to get as few vehicles in the picture as I could. Just get all the pumps in the picture.

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

What is the "forecourt" at a gas station?

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine