I have come across shops by 2 different mystery shop companies, at the same time. Some even offer a reimbursement, so you can get reimbursed twice for one purchase.. You're just filing the same report to 2 different companies.

I have done this before.

If I come across this and pictures are required, I make sure to take multiple pictures and submit different ones for each shop.

For instance, a convenience store shop and a gas shop at the same location.

I would also make two separate purchases..one for each shop. I would not use the same receipt for both shops.

It feels a little unethical but I guess it all depends on the client. If you get a manager/client who’s pissed off and starts digging into it, I’m sure this is an area that can get you disallowed for pay.

@LindaM wrote:

It feels a little unethical but I guess it all depends on the client. If you get a manager/client who’s pissed off and starts digging into it, I’m sure this is an area that can get you disallowed for pay.

As an Independent Contractor they have no control over who you do assignments for. You're not an employee.

I've done two grocery shops for two different MSCs in the same store before. I just rang up two separate orders, one right after the other, so that were two separate receipts, since I was being reimbursed by each MSC.

thanks for mansplaining. all i’m saying is that the client can (and do) reject shops in these types of scenarios. and when they do, who do you think the msc will side with? you? not a chance.

@johnb974 wrote:

@LindaM wrote:

It feels a little unethical but I guess it all depends on the client. If you get a manager/client who’s pissed off and starts digging into it, I’m sure this is an area that can get you disallowed for pay.

As an Independent Contractor they have no control over who you do assignments for. You're not an employee.

@LindaM wrote:

thanks for mansplaining. all i’m saying is that the client can (and do) reject shops in these types of scenarios. and when they do, who do you think the msc will side with? you? not a chance.

@johnb974 wrote:

@LindaM wrote:

It feels a little unethical but I guess it all depends on the client. If you get a manager/client who’s pissed off and starts digging into it, I’m sure this is an area that can get you disallowed for pay.

As an Independent Contractor they have no control over who you do assignments for. You're not an employee.

I have never heard of any MSC rejecting a shop for this reason. They are only interested in getting their report.

if you’re so confident, ask both msc as a test and see what they say. please let us know.

It is the CLIENT that rejects the shop in these cases. Been there; had that happen.

Why would I ask them? I get paid for doing both shops anyway. Each got the report they asked for. That's what i get paid for. Filling out reports for both of them.

i know some hotels have one msc to do complete evaluation, a different msc to do an outlet restaurant, and maybe another msc to test valet. it was a hard no when i asked if i can combine them during my full resort audit.

again, as i said, it depends on the client.

well… we can go around and around on this… the fact that a person is afraid to ask is either they don’t want to hear the answer or that they know their actions are not on the up and up or both…

@johnb974 wrote:

Why would I ask them? I get paid for doing both shops anyway. Each got the report they asked for. That's what i get paid for. Filling out reports for both of them.

@LindaM wrote:

i know some hotels have one msc to do complete evaluation, a different msc to do an outlet restaurant, and maybe another msc to test valet. it was a hard no when i asked if i can combine them during my full resort audit.

again, as i said, it depends on the client.

I don't ask. I'm an Independent Contractor, I run my own business, I'm not their employee. Who I fill out reports for does not concern them. That's a part of being an Independent Contractor. Look up the definition of Independent Contractor.

Make sure there is not a question like: have you shopped this location in the past 30 days for any purpose?

@tstewart3 wrote:

Make sure there is not a question like: have you shopped this location in the past 30 days for any purpose?

At that point the MSC is treating you like an employee. Who you do shops for does not concern them. But we can go round and round on this. Look for the definition of Independent Contractor. That is what you go by. Some companies try to cross the line.

Why start a thread asking the question then?

@football1 wrote:

Why start a thread asking the question then?

So people are aware you can do the same shop at the same time for 2 different companies. Ways to increase your profits.

It doesn't happen often, especially around here because the work is so spread out. But I have accomplished such things in the past. And I will continue to strive to do so in the future. I don't make separate purchases or take duplicate pictures.

I would enter and depart for the first one.
Then re-enter and depart for the second one. I do not see this as a problem.

@big_sky_thunder wrote:

I would enter and depart for the first one.
Then re-enter and depart for the second one. I do not see this as a problem.

There are shops where you can do that. Can't do it on a storage shop. I go in once and submit 2 reports.

For example, I've done grocery MSC shops and done field agent work while I was in the grocery store. It depends on the type of shop but I would absolutely do different purchases to get a receipt.

I just did this over the weekend at a gas station. Two different companies, same visit.

I saw two shops for different MSC's at the same convenience store. The thought of doing both shops at the same time was appealing, but I ended up only doing one of the shops. The reports required different observations and one MSC required "discreet" pictures while the other MSC did not. I felt like it would not be ethical to perform both of these shops at the same time because each MSC represented a different client for the same location. I also try to keep in mind that we are camera monitored everywhere - whether we are shopping or just passing by a place on a leisurely walk. Suppose I had performed both shops at the same time. Perhaps the MSC that did not require pictures was the deciding vote on whether the employees received a monthly bonus, and I had written up a report that included a bonus forfeiting infraction. The manager did not agree with the report, so it was decided that security footage would be reviewed for the shop. I would have stuck out like a sore thumb taking pictures and making additional observations than those that were required when the footage was reviewed at the date and time I reported being in the store (to both MSC's - and ultimately, to both clients). I am sure that employees know they are being shopped when they see someone "discreetly" taking pictures of everything in the store (especially when the store is not busy). They might not have a clue they are being shopped when pictures are not required. I guess my point is - I did not think I could do both jobs correctly at the same time. I am fairly certain that I would have been violating one of the TOS in the IC agreements that I signed (fairly certain, because I don't think any of us have the entire IC agreement with every shopping company that we contract for committed to memory). Just make sure you cross all your T's and dot all your I's - it would be awful to lose access to a profitable MSC (or both MSC's) for a $25 or $30 shop that could even be deemed invalid and not paid. I would also hate to know that I caused someone to lose a bonus that they needed because I did not perform an accurate audit.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2022 04:15AM by patman9760.

I can just imagine the manager for that location looking at two completed mystery shop reports, written by the same evaluator, giving the same information, very similar photographs, and performed within minutes of each other.

I can also imagine how frustrated that manager is going to be, and how quickly he/she will be communicating their displeasure to the MSPs who did not screen their shopper pool correctly.

I can also imagine that shopper getting a DNU for “double dipping” - because, as we know, bad results roll downhill and land like a bomb atop shoppers’ heads.

This is two different mystery shop companies, two different companies. Two different managers. I did recently apply to one shop by two different MSC. As it turned out the client uses two different MSC. I could only do one shop. It's a hit or miss.

Usually when you see the same MS assignment on 2 different MS Company job board, they have the same client. Many clients work with several MS companies I assume. And that client will get the reports and see that the same shopper shopped the same location twice within minutes of each other. If you don't get caught one or twice or even three times, it's most likely because that client is busy and doesn't have time to go through thoroughly every single report that is done, but eventually, that client will notice.
But if both scenarios are completely different, then it can probably be done. For example, I need to take pictures of specific items in the store for one MS Company and I have to buy something and report on customer service for a different MS Company. But if both MS companies want you to buy something and report on customer service, then I am sure you probably can't do that and eventually could be banned from those mystery shop companies, so honestly if you gonna do that, then you should probably keep it on the DL.

Please read my previous post - 3 posts up. If you are attempting to perform two different shop scenarios at the same time, especially when one includes 'discreetly' taking pictures, I would highly suggest that you perform the one without pictures first and then leave. Exit the store, leave the parking lot and fill out your report, then come back at a later time to do the evaluation that includes taking pictures. You will not receive a non-biased customer service interaction if an employee sees you taking pictures inside the store (because you will not appear to be a typical customer - they will know they are being shopped). You are, of course, free to make your own choice but I would not take the risk.

FYI - I read your post literally - as if you are planning on doing these shops tomorrow. If you were just giving an example, you can either agree or disagree and disregard this post. I am not trying to contradict you - only trying to help.

@wilson5k1992 wrote:

Usually when you see the same MS assignment on 2 different MS Company job board, they have the same client. Many clients work with several MS companies I assume. And that client will get the reports and see that the same shopper shopped the same location twice within minutes of each other. If you don't get caught one or twice or even three times, it's most likely because that client is busy and doesn't have time to go through thoroughly every single report that is done, but eventually, that client will notice.
But if both scenarios are completely different, then it can probably be done. For example, I need to take pictures of specific items in the store for one MS Company and I have to buy something and report on customer service for a different MS Company. But if both MS companies want you to buy something and report on customer service, then I am sure you probably can't do that and eventually could be banned from those mystery shop companies, so honestly if you gonna do that, then you should probably keep it on the DL.

You know everything you said, I agreed with. I was responding to those who think it's cool to complete two separate shops with the same scenario at the same time, using the same reciept, or the same photos... That's not cool, and will eventually catch up to someone.