identified as a shopper
They happen. I was identified at a bank and am no longer allowed to do any shops at any location for that bank, including phone shops. Rotations are in place both to give the client fresh eyes on their locations as well as have more than just one person asking the same, often lame and identifying, questions. If you are/were willing to do the pizza shops I'm sure the company questioned the ID as all the companies seem to be struggling to find folks willing to do Papa John's for the fee/reimbursement offered.
It would appear, from the experiences of others and even my own bank identification, that the locations work extra diligently to identify a shopper when they get a bad report. Certainly the shops I have had contested were when there was a bad report and the location was trying to call the shopper a liar rather than taking responsibility for cleaning up their act. And if they can correctly guess the shopper, they get a reshop and hopefully clean up their act before the next one arrives.
It would appear, from the experiences of others and even my own bank identification, that the locations work extra diligently to identify a shopper when they get a bad report. Certainly the shops I have had contested were when there was a bad report and the location was trying to call the shopper a liar rather than taking responsibility for cleaning up their act. And if they can correctly guess the shopper, they get a reshop and hopefully clean up their act before the next one arrives.
I have been identified on two different occasions and removed from the shopper list for that client. I was able to be put back on one of the shops after a year. It does happen.
You sit down with a banker, the banker tells their manager they think they have been mystery shopped. Sometimes, when you report that the banker or other client did not do his job properly, they are reported. Once you are recognized as a mystery shop, you can no longer shop that particular bank, store, etc.
Idon't think I have been officially spotted. Knock on wood. I have been on apartments just recently and I don't think they know they are being shopped becasue they continue to do something stupid, like call the residents "retarded" in my presence. Plus, I always seem to be distracted by playing with my phone and acting as if I could careless what they are doing. Really, I'm taking notes.
I was purportedly ID'd on a pizza delivery shop. I have no idea how the store could have identified me, or why they'd blow the whistle. They received a perfectly good report. The MSP paid me for the shop, and even apologized. I wasn't deactivated, nor am I disallowed from other pizza locations in their stable - just the one. The client at the corporate level did not share the details of how I was busted with the MSP.
How in the world would someone know you are a shopper if all you've done is order a stupid pizza to be delivered? They probably deliver 1000 pizza's a day and get a phone call to take the order.
I did a carry out once though where I told the guy on the phone my name and phone number three times and when I went to pick up the pizza, there was no record that I'd ever called. Manager tried to give me the pizza and all I could think of was needing that dang receipt. Soooooooo....I told him I'd order another pizza. Just to get that dangged receit! lol
I did a carry out once though where I told the guy on the phone my name and phone number three times and when I went to pick up the pizza, there was no record that I'd ever called. Manager tried to give me the pizza and all I could think of was needing that dang receipt. Soooooooo....I told him I'd order another pizza. Just to get that dangged receit! lol
Today I Will Choose Joy!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
I was identified as a shopper by a manager at a gas station. He'd recognized me from the previous month because he had to look at the video. He told me not to worry, as he knew that I was doing my shop and I had to be discreet but that he wanted to apologize for the incident that took place the previous month.
I did a shop one time at a restaurant and was probably identified but nothing was said or done. I had to use a stopwatch and I think one of the employees saw it. I suddenly had service that was extraordinaire. Our meal was running a little late and the waiter made the comment "It's the kitchen's fault and not mine." I will never know for sure but I will not shop that location again in case of.
Until management/client and MSC get together on new & improved scenarios, we shoppers WILL be identified. Some of the crazy questions and maneuvers are just pointing their fingers at us.
Each and every shop should be different as much as possible.
Each and every shop should be different as much as possible.
I agree, the scenarios are getting a little played out. Sometimes I add my own little twist to it so it doesn't seem so scripted.
Ron did a big box hardware on Friday. He came around a corner at the back of the store and heard a voice say to be sure to greet and offer assistance to anyone coming within 10 feet of you. It was the manager addressing the morning team meeting. 30+ employees saw him wak past. Five of them greeted him at once and one followed him to offer assistance. The manager was telling them a shopper could be coming today. lolol Funniest thing I've heard in a while. Getting chased down in appliances, just in case. lololol
Today I Will Choose Joy!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
J.D. Powers identified me by name as a shopper to all of the car dealerships I had shopped that month, which effectively killed my ever going back. I notified the scheduler at the MSP, but she didn't seem to care.
grrrrrrrrrrrrr I'm so sorry tgb.
Today I Will Choose Joy!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
It seems to me that the locations being shopped need to notify the MSC BEFORE they get their report. How hard is it to look at the time on the report, go to the cameras, and spot the shopper?
OH! I SEE HIM! LETS NOTIFY THE MSC SO WE CAN INVALIDATE THIS DARN THING!
I'm pretty sure I've been identified before, but never "officially" where the MSC has notified me.
OH! I SEE HIM! LETS NOTIFY THE MSC SO WE CAN INVALIDATE THIS DARN THING!
I'm pretty sure I've been identified before, but never "officially" where the MSC has notified me.
I did get a funny call along that vein one day. I hadn't yet started the report and the scheduler called asking, "Did you visit XYZ today?" I told her I did and was just getting ready to put in the report. "Don't bother. They spotted you. I'll deny it and send someone else in, but you'll be paid." I generally stay away from that location now, but still shop it on occasion when they are running out of time to find someone. But I'm super cautious.
We rarely know how much of the report gets shared with the location's employees. I was asked to do a car wash shop, on the deadline day for the scheduler. We agreed upon terms and then I told her it was raining. She didn't care, 'JUST DO IT' were her words. This car wash is open rain or shine, by the way. I'm concocting my story before I get there as to why I'm getting my car washed in the rain, which seems a ridiculous thing to do, in my opinion. When I got there, two cars were in line in front of me! No story was needed.
I was watching my vehicle come through the wash bay and noticed the doors were locked. I figured the attendant had them in his pocket. Wrong. I watched him bow his head as he talked to the manager, who then came in and sheepishly asked me if I by any chance I had a spare key, as they had mistakenly locked the keys inside. On that day, and on that day only, I actually had the spare in my purse, fortunately. I reported everything as it happened. I would think I might be remembered, as the person getting a vehicle washed on a rainy day, and getting the keys locked inside. I don't know if the client shared the report with the location manager, or not, but probably won't risk going back, only to be told I was identified.
I was watching my vehicle come through the wash bay and noticed the doors were locked. I figured the attendant had them in his pocket. Wrong. I watched him bow his head as he talked to the manager, who then came in and sheepishly asked me if I by any chance I had a spare key, as they had mistakenly locked the keys inside. On that day, and on that day only, I actually had the spare in my purse, fortunately. I reported everything as it happened. I would think I might be remembered, as the person getting a vehicle washed on a rainy day, and getting the keys locked inside. I don't know if the client shared the report with the location manager, or not, but probably won't risk going back, only to be told I was identified.
It's only a matter of time before I get identified by a certain pizza company. I have to listen to them describe the specials, including pizza+wings for $18, and then order just the pizza... for $18. I'm not allowed to get the special even though no real person would order just the pizza for the same price as pizza+wings!
And I could save $6 by getting a different pizza... one that USED to be eligible, but isn't anymore.
Then my report got temporarily flagged for my costs being too high. Well sorry, I only ordered what was allowed. Could've spent 60% as much if I was allowed to get the special.
And I could save $6 by getting a different pizza... one that USED to be eligible, but isn't anymore.
Then my report got temporarily flagged for my costs being too high. Well sorry, I only ordered what was allowed. Could've spent 60% as much if I was allowed to get the special.
boingo82, that is what happened to me. They had a bigger pizza for the same price, sometimes two for just a little more- but no, I will just stick with the one. It is not even close to realistic.
Unrealistic scenarios are the worst part of shopping, IMO. You have to try and "sell" this story that is ludicrous on its face. Who wouldn't get the wings??!? I mean seriously.
I used to work for a fast food company many moons ago. We knew who the shopper was... lol.. They would get a perfect sandwhich every time, plus they were the only customers to ever ask for the nutrition packet. Sometimes I shop on the last day possible, so I'm hoping the employees have forgotten the shopper is coming by that point 
My spouse works for a retail store that gets shopped about once a month. When they get the report from corporate it does have details about the day the shop took place and the employees names. There is also a "score card" reflecting their performance in various aspects of the shop. While it might be possible for them to go back through store video to identify the shopper they have not done so.
tgb Wrote:
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> J.D. Powers identified me by name as a shopper to
> all of the car dealerships I had shopped that
> month, which effectively killed my ever going
> back. I notified the scheduler at the MSP, but
> she didn't seem to care.
I often use a fake name at dealerships, banks, etc.
-------------------------------------------------------
> J.D. Powers identified me by name as a shopper to
> all of the car dealerships I had shopped that
> month, which effectively killed my ever going
> back. I notified the scheduler at the MSP, but
> she didn't seem to care.
I often use a fake name at dealerships, banks, etc.
This just happened to me after 6 years of shopping. I was indentified doing my bar audit, and when I asked the scheduler why, she said, it was their fault. My rotation was not up, and I was scheduled anyway...that did it. I also do this restaurant for another MSC, so it gets tricky. I have decided to stop, but was told I couldn't do the bar audits for a year, but could do the dining area for the other MSC. The Bartenders are not that close to the dining area, so, they won't notice...still, I'll wait awhile.
Live consciously....
It happened to me months back at Party City and I am guessing they might have seen me taking notes on their cameras or guessed my identity based on my not fitting in with the neighborhood demographics. You can only go in a store restroom so many times to take notes and that aside, some security cameras are not noticeable. Too bad, I thoroughly enjoyed the assignment. Msc would not provide details either on how I was revealed as the shopper.
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