@Shop-et-al wrote:
Video is everywhere, isn't it? Bleh. We call it mystery shopping, social media, and anything but a gestapo society.
I am ready to lose 90% of my phone use and just stay indoors. Pffffffffffffffffffft.
@MSF wrote:
But what about legally? You are the one recording, but you did not get consent and you are not the employer.
@patman9760 wrote:
I have never completed a video shop and that is the biggest (and actually, the only) reason I am hesitant. The thought does interest me. I have seen quite a few jobs posted, from apartments to fast food shops. The fees always seem reasonable. The thought of not having to write as much narrative is also quite attractive. I had no clue that the shops were used to help deter unethical behavior. The biggest problem I have is that I honestly have no idea where to start (equipment - do shoppers generally use a certain type of covert equipment? How much are upfront costs?). I see posts by experienced shoppers - any advice/pointers would be appreciated.
@luckygirl0100 wrote:
What's the difference between you telling the client that their employee did 'x' vs showing them?
The only difference is that with video it is no longer a he said/ she said kinda thing.
@walesmaven wrote:
SEA,
The client is only paying for video in places/situations where there is a worry that either cash is disappearing or employees may be breaking laws such as those protecting the rights of women and minorities or families with children. there is no "maybe" about the video where the condo salesperson told my African-american friend that there was no way on earth he would be shown, much less allowed to buy a condo in that building. Or the one where my sister was assured that her apartment would be quiet "because children are not allowed in this building." Those clients need to know that their employees/representatives are putting their business licenses and major fines at risk, as well as violating well-defined rights. And, yes, those examples are from real shops by me and shoppers that I know well. How about the videos of valets and/or doormen diverting cash parking fees fro the till to their pockets and later found to be sitting on tens of thousands of dollars in cash discovered because of the video shop clue? Those are folks who are parts of major cash diversion rackets. No amount of "I I saw them pocket the cash instead of put it into the till," is going to nail them. And, of course, my favorites are the folks who "borrow" another employee's name tag when diverting cash because they "know" that if they are shopped the report will identify another, innocent, employee? (And, yes, that is rampant and only detected with video.)
. I don't know for sure but I presume the employer lawyered up and it's all legal.@MSF wrote:
But what about legally? You are the one recording, but you did not get consent and you are not the employer.
1. No, fortunately for your video shopper competitors, you are not the only hesitant one.@condorchristi wrote:
I see that a lot of companies are doing the video mystery shops now. Is anyone else hesitant to do these shops besides me? I guess, deep down I'm worried about being discovered with recording equipment on my person. But I like to rationalize that I am ethically opposed to it as well--I wouldn't want to be recorded against my will. And yes, I know that when the average employee signs up for a job, the suits at Corporate probably put jargon into the paperwork that makes it all legal to record employees without their expressed knowledge that it is happening. And I'm not even saying it's wrong to do so...its just something I wouldn't or at least couldn't imagine myself doing. Am I the only one who feels this way? Enjoy your Sunday.
@AZwolfman wrote:
1. No, fortunately for your video shopper competitors, you are not the only hesitant one.@condorchristi wrote:
I see that a lot of companies are doing the video mystery shops now. Is anyone else hesitant to do these shops besides me? I guess, deep down I'm worried about being discovered with recording equipment on my person. But I like to rationalize that I am ethically opposed to it as well--I wouldn't want to be recorded against my will. And yes, I know that when the average employee signs up for a job, the suits at Corporate probably put jargon into the paperwork that makes it all legal to record employees without their expressed knowledge that it is happening. And I'm not even saying it's wrong to do so...its just something I wouldn't or at least couldn't imagine myself doing. Am I the only one who feels this way? Enjoy your Sunday.
2. Unless you wear your recording equipment through airport security checks, it's just not going to happen.
3. If you are ethically opposed to it, then video shopping is probably not for you.
4. Again, you are probably not the only one who shares your feelings about video shopping.
ColoKate summed up the reasons pretty well in above post. I have done over 500 video shops in just home shops alone. I have done hundreds of various other shops. If the work were available and profitable, I would shop nothing but video shops. I have been using the same DVR for more than 10 years, although I have replaced the button camera/mic a few times.