Today I signed up for my second price checking shop. The first one went smoothly, the employees never even approached me, I assume they knew what I was doing and just let me work.
Today though! I started working and completing a few checks, some employees asked if I needed help, and I just said no. Then a manager approached me and asked if I needed help, but then asked if I was doing price checks. I said yes, because according to the guidelines you are allowed to say you are checking prices for the app. Then she said I was not allowed to do that and I had to leave!
Has this happened to anyone else? What is the reason they don't like it? Like I said it was only my second price check shop, so I don't have much experience doing it yet.

They don't like it because you're typically gathering information for a competitor. I do a lot of these and I've learned to be quick about it. You can take pictures of items and then enter the price later or make multiple trips. I try not to do too many of these unless it's a store that I generally shop at anyway and buy what I need while I'm checking.

Otherwise,yeah, you're going to get caught and you're probably going to be asked to leave.

Thanks for the tip! That makes sense, take a pic and input the price later.
I'm so worried about missing one that I have been lingering way too long in the aisles. I'll try to be quicker next time.

I also try to preview the lists and figure out where things are prior to going into the store. It makes it a little bit easier especially if it's a store I'm amiliar with. Also take a shopping cart with you and add a few things as you go so it looks like you're shopping and you're less obvious.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/2022 12:35AM by foodluvr.

There was a battery thing I did that was completely enclosed by cash registers and checkout lanes on all sides lol and they were empty and I had to take a million photos. They looked at me a lot but what can a person say!? Can’t be like I’m working here!

I will only ever do price checks if it's in a big multipurpose retailer like Walmart or a supermarket chain that has really big floor space like say, Stop & Shop here on Long Island. You can lose yourself in the crowd, so to speak.

But so many MSCs offer these in little cubbyhole convenience stores with the promise that "It only should take 20 minutes!" huh? Try spending 20 minutes taking photos in a 7-Eleven on Long Island. Your chances of not being confronted are basically 0%.

Another case of Mayberry-based MSC's not understanding that all markets aren't the same.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/2022 08:20AM by KokoBWare.

KokoBWare opins--Another case of Mayberry-based MSC's not understanding that all markets aren't the same.

Bob comments--I think they understand, but their business model is to attempt to suck in a newbie. 14 years ago, I had a small retail store, no more than 500 square feet, in a mall. A male entered with a hand scanner and began his mission, which I quickly ended. It was not in any manner to my advantage to permit him to remain.

I would rather do the merch gigs in those stores. Merches are the best. You are permitted to be there and never check the restroom, or purchase anything, or run the risk of getting kicked out of a location.

The MSCs rarely say upfront you do not have the store's permission. Many take them unaware they may be confronted by employees. Not worth the hassle for me. I sometimes suspect store employees themselves take many of these gigs and do them on the sly.

I really, really enjoy if I can merchandise in a location that also has a price check offered. I sign in on the Vendor log, no one questions my right to be there, and I can take all the photos I need! Double-dipping at its best, LOL!

@Shop-et-al wrote:

I would rather do the merch gigs in those stores. Merches are the best. You are permitted to be there and never check the restroom, or purchase anything, or run the risk of getting kicked out of a location.

I did my one and only attempt at a price check at a QuickTrip in suburban tulsa. Either because it wasn't clear, or I just didn't read carefully, I honestly didn't know I wasn't supposed to be there. The store was not busy, and the two clerks stared at me for the first 5 minutes I was scanning items. One of the associates asked me if I needed any help finding anything. I told him that I was the guy doing the price checks for such and such mystery shopping company. He said he didn't know anything about it, and he texted his boss. His boss texted back that they didn't know anything about it and they asked me to leave. I would have never even done it had I known I wasn't even authorized to be there. I will never ever do those ever again. I've done a lot of competitor mystery shopping, but in those scenarios I am actually playing the part of a normal perspective customer or guest. These uninvited price checks are just blatant, easy-to-spot espionage and I won't participate in it.

@KokoBWare wrote:

I will only ever do price checks if it's in a big multipurpose retailer like Walmart or a supermarket chain that has really big floor space like say, Stop & Shop here on Long Island. You can lose yourself in the crowd, so to speak.

But so many MSCs offer these in little cubbyhole convenience stores with the promise that "It only should take 20 minutes!" huh? Try spending 20 minutes taking photos in a 7-Eleven on Long Island. Your chances of not being confronted are basically 0%.

Another case of Mayberry-based MSC's not understanding that all markets aren't the same.

Which suburban Tulsa QT?

I got lucky when I did the few price checks at a convenience shop chain for gas stations. In one when there was no one at the store, and the cashier came over to see if I needed help, I told him what I was doing. He not only held the cooler's door for me to take photos, he even assisted me in finding the right beverage the questionnaire was asking for. Some employees are just nicer or meaner than others, so do not take it personally.

It was in Sapulpa if my memory is correct.

@tstewart3 wrote:

Which suburban Tulsa QT?

I was doing a price check at the QT at 15th and Denver and an employee confronted me and asked what i was doing. I said i was just checking prices. My assignment was to take pictures and prices of all the grab and go selections. Within 2 minutes of him asking, the police roll up with lights flashing like they were coming to a crime scene. I went out the side door and left, never to consider doing a price check again.

I live in Western oklahoma, although I travel all over the region and the Western andSouthern parts of the country for work. I had only attempted to do one of these because it was very highly bonused and they were practically begging.

No wonder they always have highly bonused locations in eastern oklahoma. QT doesn't play. It sounds like QT isn't going to let a price check happen in their locations if they see it going on. Luckily I didn't have the police involved in my attempt. Did you let the scheduler know what happened? I sent an email explaining what happened to the scheduler, and I never received a reply. I never got paid, although I didn't push the issue. It was my first, and most likely last, attempt to work for that company. I am assuming you let them know what happened, and they know what happened when I tried it. The fact that they continue to have QT price checks on their job board shows that they really don't give a crap about shoppers and their well-being.

I was reading the posts above, and this would be a really good opportunity for someone that is already merchandising there and can make it all look above board. It would also be great for someone that actually works there, or someone that knows somebody that works there. Otherwise, I would never attemp it a small location.

@tstewart3 wrote:

I was doing a price check at the QT at 15th and Denver and an employee confronted me and asked what i was doing. I said i was just checking prices. My assignment was to take pictures and prices of all the grab and go selections. Within 2 minutes of him asking, the police roll up with lights flashing like they were coming to a crime scene. I went out the side door and left, never to consider doing a price check again.

I do QT frequently. The key is to split up the shop into a couple of visits. If I'm asked I tell them I'm waiting to hear back from my husband because whatever it is that he wanted wasn't available and that usually buys me some time. I can usually get in and out in about 15 minutes with two visits.

I respect and applaud your determination to get the work done. I hope you're at least getting a bonus for putting yourself through all that. That said, any situation where you have to lie and risk having the police called is more than I'm willing to deal with considering the amount of pay. Perhaps you have been able to get more money from them, but the most I was ever able to negotiate, and the amount that got me to actually try it, was $50. $50 is not worth all the hassle to me.

They are fortunate they have you to help them get their locations done.

@foodluvr wrote:

I do QT frequently. The key is to split up the shop into a couple of visits. If I'm asked I tell them I'm waiting to hear back from my husband because whatever it is that he wanted wasn't available and that usually buys me some time. I can usually get in and out in about 15 minutes with two visits.

I've had some experiences like this as well, the employees were helpful and friendly.

Some of these companies requesting people stay covert trying to price check 50 items.... what planet are you people on?

I was doing the large club store price checks. I was approached by the manager and asked if I was there representing XXX company. He said I was NOT authorized to be there and I was asked to leave. He said the LOA was fraudulent and I should never attempt to complete any such work in their store again.

I reported this to the scheduler. The scheduler wanted to know how much of the store I had completed before I was asked to leave. I was then asked if I would be willing to return the next day to finish. Oh, let me think....NO!!!

@thunderdeacon wrote:

I respect and applaud your determination to get the work done. I hope you're at least getting a bonus for putting yourself through all that. That said, any situation where you have to lie and risk having the police called is more than I'm willing to deal with considering the amount of pay. Perhaps you have been able to get more money from them, but the most I was ever able to negotiate, and the amount that got me to actually try it, was $50. $50 is not worth all the hassle to me.

They are fortunate they have you to help them get their locations done.

@foodluvr wrote:

I do QT frequently. The key is to split up the shop into a couple of visits. If I'm asked I tell them I'm waiting to hear back from my husband because whatever it is that he wanted wasn't available and that usually buys me some time. I can usually get in and out in about 15 minutes with two visits.

I visit QT pretty frequently so a total of 15 minutes in the store for 50 bucks or so isn't bad.

And as far as being asked it's, do I need help? I've never been questioned for actually doing a price check.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/21/2022 01:50AM by foodluvr.

Personally these are not worth the stress pay wise, especially In a small retailer.
A couple in my area I will do when they have bonuses and are large retailers. Small retailers must have a super bonus before I even think about them.

@yoya301 wrote:

I was doing the large club store price checks. I was approached by the manager and asked if I was there representing XXX company. He said I was NOT authorized to be there and I was asked to leave. He said the LOA was fraudulent and I should never attempt to complete any such work in their store again.

I reported this to the scheduler. The scheduler wanted to know how much of the store I had completed before I was asked to leave. I was then asked if I would be willing to return the next day to finish. Oh, let me think....NO!!!

FUNNY !!!!!!!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2022 04:12PM by ShoppingDad.

@foodluvr wrote:

I do QT frequently. The key is to split up the shop into a couple of visits

Glad that works for you. I'll pass.

I have done a total of one price check at a QT at 51st and 129th. I was practically bowled over by the customers So I said $50 bucks vs going to the hospital nope thanks but no thanks. But I did like the ones where you took pictures of some vape products. About 50% of them was no we will not let you take pictures we have heard anything about it so no just leave. I did took a picture of the store and got paid.