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Citgo, how do you do it?

December 04, 2021 11:24AM
I already had difficulty getting all the photos while staying under cover. They keep adding more photos! Since the latest addition of BOTH sides of the main ID sign, I have not done any. I can't think of how to pull all these pictures off without blowing my cover.

I feel like it would make more sense to do all of the mystery shop observations and interactions then whip out my LOA and just be up front about all the pictures I am going to take. Seems safer, too.

Does anyone do this voluntary reveal regularly? If not, how do you get all the pics discreetly?

Sometimes getting the other side of an ID sign involves standing on a nearby property, or the woods, and obviously taking a picture. Either way, there are a lot of areas to cover which means either walking or driving all over the lot and acting suspiciously. I would prefer not to have the police called or get shot.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/2021 11:26AM by sestrahelena.
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December 04, 2021 11:41AM
The stores know who the shoppers are. For the most part, they will let you do your thing and move on. For me, I whip that letter out and reveal myself. I want on that lot and moved on to the next location. I'm not into sneaking around, every time I do I get the cops called on me. Since they added these new requirements it will be a reveal shop or no shop at all. It is bad enough the Marathons have that extra requirement and no extra pay.
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December 04, 2021 01:29PM
I hardly ever reveal. I do all of my outside observations before I go into the store. I make a note of the infractions. When I leave the store, I already know what photos I need and take them quickly and then leave. (I do the reports at home on the website.) For the other side of the ID, I usually drive to a safe spot and take that photo last.

That's just me, though. There is nothing wrong with being seen. If you don't want to be sneaky, just walk around the lot and do your thing. They probably won't even see you, and if they do, they probably won't say anything. Even then, you just tell them you are there for Citgo, and that usually ends the conversation. Don't even bother with the LOA unless they ask.

I try to be sneaky because I developed my system when I was automatically assigned a large group of locations I did every quarter, and I knew I would be back again and didn't want my cover blown. Now that these are assigned more randomly, that's less of a consideration.
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December 04, 2021 05:48PM
Large,spacious lots are usually easy to navigate and blend in but those small, busy, country town places seem impossible. Someone's sure to notice me acting funny and people get weird so I worry about that.
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December 05, 2021 03:10AM
Maybe I'm in the minority.but I don't worry about someone seeing me. If they do I just confidently say I'm working for the company I'm taking pictures for, which is the truth. This seems to placate 99% of the people who I've been questioned by.

Exceptions were the owner of a Sunoco station that "trespassed" me and called the police who met up with me at the other Sunoco station he owned down the road. I showed the police the pictures and the shop on my tablet and there were no problems. I just wonder what problems the guy had with Sunoco? Perhaps previous bad reviews?

There was also a Metro PCS location in a shady part of town and a passerby yelled into the store, "hey there's someone out here taking pictures". I got out of there fast. I've been told by some people I look like a cop with my military haircut and shouldn't go to the hood. LOL

I think you look more suspicious when you start lurking and sneaking around.
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December 05, 2021 01:27PM
For what it's worth, I just reviewed the latest guidelines and it no longer makes any mention of being covert or trying not to be seen. It just says finish the inside portion before taking exterior photos.

So, I see nothing wrong with revealing if you feel uncomfortable. I personally will avoid it just because it would take extra time. And ususally it's not the employees but the customers who are the issue. In those cases, especially when the camera will be pointed in their general direction or I need to invade their space, I just take the photos openly and tell them it's for Citgo as appropriate. I'm never questioned beyond that.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/2021 01:31PM by mystery2me.
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December 05, 2021 04:28PM
@mystery2me wrote:

For what it's worth, I just reviewed the latest guidelines and it no longer makes any mention of being covert or trying not to be seen. It just says finish the inside portion before taking exterior photos.

.

Not to nitpick the point of your post, but it is mentioned in the Letter of Authorization section.
" The CITGO shops are mystery shops. These are NOT revealed shops.

Present the LOA only if you approached while taking pictures."
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December 09, 2021 03:23AM
I only do the blue gas stations (a lot of them) which are a quick reveal. I asked if I could do Citgo the same way and was told NO.
I therefore don't do Citgo, no matter what the pay is.
If I am taking multiple pictures on private property I prefer to get the OK first.
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December 09, 2021 01:34PM
Also, a heads up: In addition to the 8 required photos (if there are no additional infraction photos) some locations are requiring an additional 6 mandatory photos, FOR THE SAME FEE! So look carefully to see if this is the case for locations you may be considering.
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December 09, 2021 06:09PM
@sestrahelena wrote:

Also, a heads up: In addition to the 8 required photos (if there are no additional infraction photos) some locations are requiring an additional 6 mandatory photos, FOR THE SAME FEE! So look carefully to see if this is the case for locations you may be considering.

Yikes!
Every year I hope Citgo decides to match what their competitors and go to revealed audits. So at those specific locations they want 14 total? Citgo, if you are listening, and I know you aren't, see the light... go revealed audit.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/09/2021 06:10PM by KA047.
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December 16, 2021 05:19AM
It's been a while since I've done any Citgo shops, I did a couple routes of Marathons early this year (I think...). I agree that that the Marathon shops are simpler because you can reveal yourself and put on a traffic safety vest while you're on the lot. I hadn't heard about the additional pictures that Citgo is requiring, which would make them nearly impossible to do completely as a mystery shop.

There are a couple of Citgo's that I have had to reveal myself. One was an owner who didn't like me sitting in the shade looking at my cell phone. I had already completed the shop, but I wasn't in a hurry to leave because I'd found a comfortable shady place to read my emails and eat my lunch before I moved on. The other was when I had to call the station to get directions, because my GPS had me going in circles 10 miles from the actual location. And, for the record, the GPS still thinks the station is in an entirely different town 10 miles away, I've tried to correct it on Google Maps, but it never changes.
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December 23, 2021 06:04PM
i always present the LOA. around here, a lot of citgos are full serve. honestly, i'd show the LOA even if they weren't. we don't get paid enough to do some secret spy mission. and i can't give them a good visit anyway if it was because i'd be rushing.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/23/2021 06:05PM by jay225.
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January 13, 2022 12:15AM
Just tell them that you are a location scout for a movie!
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January 13, 2022 06:29AM
I haven't done a Citgo since the "spank" email the MSC sent out about 9-10 months ago telling us how deeply disappointed Citgo was in the work we were doing and how they'd send us packing if we didn't shape up pronto. For the insulting fees they pay, from which you have to deduct a dollar or so for the unreimbursed purchase.

And now they're demanding more photos? LOL go piss up a rope.
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