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What are the Sonic shops like?

August 10, 2021 03:11PM
I'm seeing them for $7 fee with $10 reimbursement. What do you get and how long is the report?
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August 10, 2021 03:26PM
The report is easy. You get an entree, side and drink. They have a list in the guidelines to choose from. You have to get a pecture of entree and I think the side too. Very easy to do.
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August 10, 2021 03:44PM
Hold out for at least $10. The report is easy. I usually do it while I'm eating in the drive-in stall.
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August 10, 2021 03:47PM
The only bad part is you actually have to eat some of the food. LOL
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August 10, 2021 04:15PM
Easy. Wish the breakfast times were available.

Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.
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August 10, 2021 05:11PM
In checking my log, 12 years ago I was paid $6 + a 12 reimbursement, with no pics required. The report was quite easy and the shopping stipulations were flexible. As I am not a soda pop person, I was permitted to substitute a shake..
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August 12, 2021 01:51AM
@shopperbob wrote:

In checking my log, 12 years ago I was paid $6 + a 12 reimbursement, with no pics required. The report was quite easy and the shopping stipulations were flexible. As I am not a soda pop person, I was permitted to substitute a shake..

You can do an iced tea or lemonade or Powerade in lieu of soda also.
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August 12, 2021 02:28AM
@foodluvr wrote:

@shopperbob wrote:

In checking my log, 12 years ago I was paid $6 + a 12 reimbursement, with no pics required. The report was quite easy and the shopping stipulations were flexible. As I am not a soda pop person, I was permitted to substitute a shake..

You can do an iced tea or lemonade or Powerade in lieu of soda also.
Or cherry limeade, which is one of the few things Sonic does well.
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August 12, 2021 06:00PM
I recently was able to do a good number of them, and they were perfect for COVID times! Unfortunately for me, the Sonics in my area all closed! I don't understand it as they had to be doing great sales because of COVID. I was so sad as I loved doing these shops. They do require pictures, of your entree. Quick and easy and the drive thru ones are the best!
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August 12, 2021 06:19PM
The reason I stopped doing Sonic is that many of the managers whine if you give them a negative report. This negatively incentivizes the shopper to write a dishonest report and dillutes the quality and purpose of Sonic's mystery shopping program. Pay for this shop was not enough to take the risk.
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August 12, 2021 06:28PM
I’ve seen them for $40 fee + reimbursement. Always passed them by, because I hate the food. Need to rethink this, now that I see how easy they are.
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August 12, 2021 08:37PM
I had never ever saw just like fee. The Sonic in my area usually picking up at double fee no more.

Shopping Eastern Pennsylvania since 2009
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August 13, 2021 01:35PM
I ,like Sonic. Just wish they had the bacon club toaster in my area .. I have been to other Sonics and they have the bacon club toaster
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August 13, 2021 02:07PM
kimkenkat shares--the Sonics in my area all closed!

Bob comments--Until approx. 15 years ago, there was a single Sonic in my area. Then, someone or ones invested considerable money into opening a dozen or so more. Within one year, they began closing and now it is three stores I regularly drive by two of the remaining locations and neither ever has any traffic; how they remain open is a mystery to me.in

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/13/2021 02:18PM by shopperbob.
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August 13, 2021 02:20PM
deleted
Moderator Note:

Post removed as it breached the Forum guideline which says not to reveal the MSC and Client in the same thread. You may repost without listing the MSC. MOD

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August 13, 2021 02:32PM
@AZwolfman wrote:

The reason I stopped doing Sonic is that many of the managers whine if you give them a negative report. This negatively incentivizes the shopper to write a dishonest report and dillutes the quality and purpose of Sonic's mystery shopping program. Pay for this shop was not enough to take the risk.

How would you know the managers are whining? Do they know you are a shopper?
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August 13, 2021 04:13PM
@callinectes wrote:

@AZwolfman wrote:

The reason I stopped doing Sonic is that many of the managers whine if you give them a negative report. This negatively incentivizes the shopper to write a dishonest report and dillutes the quality and purpose of Sonic's mystery shopping program. Pay for this shop was not enough to take the risk.

How would you know the managers are whining? Do they know you are a shopper?

The MSC will send you an "inquiry" email asking for more information about the negative incident during that shop.
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August 13, 2021 04:53PM
Dandydew, you want to edit your post you mentioned the MSC which is not allowed since the client is listed.

In my area we get upwards of $25 plus reimbursement for these.
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August 14, 2021 12:21AM
In my area the reimbursement is high enough to get bacon on the cheeseburger with money left over. What more could you ask?
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August 14, 2021 12:48PM
@boridi wrote:

@callinectes wrote:

How would you know the managers are whining? Do they know you are a shopper?

The MSC will send you an "inquiry" email asking for more information about the negative incident during that shop.

Also, if a location is a repeat offender such that you have to ding them on multiple visits, the MSC will inquire as to whether or not you "really" enjoy the food. Reporting too many negatives can get you disenrolled from the Sonic program.
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August 15, 2021 10:15PM
@boridi wrote:

@callinectes wrote:

@AZwolfman wrote:

The reason I stopped doing Sonic is that many of the managers whine if you give them a negative report. This negatively incentivizes the shopper to write a dishonest report and dillutes the quality and purpose of Sonic's mystery shopping program. Pay for this shop was not enough to take the risk.

How would you know the managers are whining? Do they know you are a shopper?

The MSC will send you an "inquiry" email asking for more information about the negative incident during that shop.
Boridi, thank you for explaining this for me.
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August 16, 2021 06:06PM
Interesting. I wonder if this is different for the 2 MSC that shop Sonic. I've definitely dinged them hard and have never been sent a follow-up.


@Susan L. wrote:

@boridi wrote:

@callinectes wrote:

How would you know the managers are whining? Do they know you are a shopper?

The MSC will send you an "inquiry" email asking for more information about the negative incident during that shop.

Also, if a location is a repeat offender such that you have to ding them on multiple visits, the MSC will inquire as to whether or not you "really" enjoy the food. Reporting too many negatives can get you disenrolled from the Sonic program.
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August 17, 2021 12:42AM
Likewise I’ve dinged the location I regularly shop nearly every time (usually for timing or no name tags) and have never heard a peep over dozens of shops. I tend to stay away from food/beverage critiques as long as it is served at the appropriate temperature, the order is accurate, and it is made to Sonic’s standards. For example, most of the slushes are too sweet for me to enjoy them, but I don’t think that’s a mixing issue.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/2021 12:43AM by NinS.
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August 17, 2021 01:26AM
I never said ALL Sonic MANAGERS were whiners. I only said that many of them were whiners. I did not know there was more than one MSC shopping Sonic. The MSC that shops them in my area will generally side with the manager. They do not pay enough to make it worth my time to try and remember the specific reasons to justify the marks I gave a 50 or more shops ago. I decided it was better for me that someone else does the shops. I permanently removed Sonic so it does not show up in my searches.
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August 17, 2021 04:50AM
I've done a bunch of these. Only one time did they send an email wanting additional information. I said a carhop had on a shirt with no logo. They asked if the sleeves of the shirt were pushed up because the shirt had the logo printed down the sleeve, but I probably couldn't see it. It's hard to report on something that you cannot see, lol.
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August 17, 2021 06:48AM
@AZwolfman wrote:

I never said ALL Sonic MANAGERS were whiners. I only said that many of them were whiners. I did not know there was more than one MSC shopping Sonic. The MSC that shops them in my area will generally side with the manager. They do not pay enough to make it worth my time to try and remember the specific reasons to justify the marks I gave a 50 or more shops ago. I decided it was better for me that someone else does the shops. I permanently removed Sonic so it does not show up in my searches.
Interesting. I've dinged them a few times and never had a follow-up interrogation. Maybe it's a regional thing? (I'm in New York.) I've been chased after-the-fact on a few 5G issues but never Sonic.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/2021 07:28AM by KokoBWare.
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August 17, 2021 01:18PM
I think a lot of it is regional. The Sonics in my area are really good. Good customer service. Fast service - I'm served in less than 4 minutes 99% of the time. I like the burgers. And the big drinks. I can't remember the last time I had to give them a bad rating here in my area. But I get what others are saying about bad service and mediocre food. When I travel, I have stopped at Sonics and found them really awful. Nowhere near what I am used to. I have given bad reviews in other areas when mystery shopping during my travels. I've been asked questions a couple of times, mostly more information, like a description of the car I was driving or verification of the exact time. I figure it was so the store manager and/or regional manager could nail down which associates were involved and could watch the video. I've never not been paid for a Sonic shop and never felt the managers were whining, only that they were investigating my complaints. Although I wouldn't be surprised if a mediocre (or bad) manager who repeatedly gets bad reviews might whine because their bonuses and maybe even future employment hinge on their reviews.
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August 18, 2021 12:53AM
One thing I noticed when I was shopping Sonics is was the inconsistency from one location to another and often at the same location from one visit to another. For example, you never know what condition your fries or onion rings will be when you go to a different Sonic location. I figure this is probably poor franchise brand quality control. Maybe it is one result perpetuated by the issue I mentioned concerning their mystery shopping program.
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August 18, 2021 01:47PM
Consistency from location to location is a huge problem. I travel, so I sometimes do 8-12 Sonics in one month.
Some locations were so filthy I chose to not even taste the food. Others, I left after 20 minutes, having not received my order. I always order with the cheese removed; no matter the location, more than 50% of the time, I get cheese. Two of the locations I regularly dinged stopped appearing on the job board. When I was in the area, I drove by each of them. Out of business! So I was not the only dissatisfied customer (closed before Covid hit)

When they are good, they are terrific -- when they are bad, they are horrid.
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August 18, 2021 04:22PM
Timing seems to be the goal. What time did you press the red button, what time did the voice respond, order time, arrive at window to pay, receive food, check back. I don't care for their food but a nice fee, $16, enticed me.
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