Anyone done these? Offering $50 to do one. How involved is the interaction at the store?

They are easy unfortunately I aged out of them... Easy $$$.

I agree, they are easy. Most of the observations have to so with (no surprise here) employee interaction, especially around the dressing room.

But if their employees won't interact with you, no matter how many times you interrupt them, you won't get paid.

its called forced employee interaction

@Morledzep wrote:

But if their employees won't interact with you, no matter how many times you interrupt them, you won't get paid.

That's when you improvised and log in what you think they would of said

@ewalsh wrote:

They are easy unfortunately I aged out of them... Easy $$$.

I didn't see any age limit on the job posting or the guidelines. Where did you see an age limit?

Simonbanks, our job is to accurately and honestly point out everything that happened. Unfortunately, "improvising" doesn't fall under either of those categories.

@simonbanks wrote:

@Morledzep wrote:

But if their employees won't interact with you, no matter how many times you interrupt them, you won't get paid.

That's when you improvised and log in what you think they would of said

It was raised to 65.

@simonbanks wrote:

@Morledzep wrote:

But if their employees won't interact with you, no matter how many times you interrupt them, you won't get paid.

That's when you improvised and log in what you think they would of said

No. That would be lying. And that is not how mystery shopping works

If they're ignoring you, eavesdrop and write down what they're actually saying. It's honest and it lets the client know, rather than making something up and giving a false impression of what the employees actually do.

They had an age out after 65 years old.

They were fine. But they added a requirement to wear the garment out of the dressing room anx go speak to the clerk when still wearing it. No thanks. Not even with a 1000% bonus.

@Rousseau wrote:

They were fine. But they added a requirement to wear the garment out of the dressing room anx go speak to the clerk when still wearing it. No thanks. Not even with a 1000% bonus.

To me that's a completely honest thing to do if you are alone doing the shop. Ask them how it looks/fits. I'm 62 and 120 pounds overweight and I would have no problem in honestly asking someone, who came with me or a clerk for an honest opinion of how the pants looked on me. It definitely wouldn't out me as a shopper.

@Rousseau wrote:

They were fine. But they added a requirement to wear the garment out of the dressing room anx go speak to the clerk when still wearing it. No thanks. Not even with a 1000% bonus.

I do that in almost every store that I try clothes on at. I walk out of the dressing room to find the full length mirror and see if I can interact with an employee. I'll either ask their opinion or see if they can get me a different size up or down or different color to compare.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2022 06:33PM by foodluvr.

I did one of these. The shop itself was easy. The employee yelling out everyone's jean size to other side of the store was mortifying so for that experience alone, I won't do them again.

@Morledzep wrote:

But if their employees won't interact with you, no matter how many times you interrupt them, you won't get paid.

If that is the case, I wouldn’t be surprised if some shoppers make up an interaction so they get their dues.

@Book wrote:

If that is the case, I wouldn’t be surprised if some shoppers make up an interaction so they get their dues.

I didn't, and I didn't get paid for a $100 shop after spending $75 to get there and back. And I didn't even get to see my grandson while was down there. It turned out to be a very bad day.

@Rousseau wrote:

They were fine. But they added a requirement to wear the garment out of the dressing room anx go speak to the clerk when still wearing it. No thanks. Not even with a 1000% bonus.

@wrosie wrote:

To me that's a completely honest thing to do if you are alone doing the shop. Ask them how it looks/fits. I'm 62 and 120 pounds overweight and I would have no problem in honestly asking someone, who came with me or a clerk for an honest opinion of how the pants looked on me. It definitely wouldn't out me as a shopper.

@foodluvr wrote:

I do that in almost every store that I try clothes on at. I walk out of the dressing room to find the full length mirror and see if I can interact with an employee. I'll either ask their opinion or see if they can get me a different size up or down or different color to compare.

There are two issues. First, the requirement that one interact with a clerk after the fitting room increases time required to complete the shop. Previously, one would simply go in the fitting room, sit down, and play on one's phone. Now, one has to take the time to put the garment on and then take more time to go find the clerk - not always easy - and then return to fitting room and take off the garment that one never had any intention of purchasing. Second, the very last thing that I would want is a comment on clothing from any other person, a store employee, a stranger, or a friend. Clothing serves a function, period. It protects one from the elements. Everything else is just social nonsense. YMMV.

@Morledzep wrote:

@Book wrote:

If that is the case, I wouldn’t be surprised if some shoppers make up an interaction so they get their dues.

I didn't, and I didn't get paid for a $100 shop after spending $75 to get there and back. And I didn't even get to see my grandson while was down there. It turned out to be a very bad day.

Sounds like they pulled your pants down.

I’ll get my coat!

I get desperate emails from the scheduler at the end of each month, but when I go to the website the test is not available to me.

@KathyG wrote:

I get desperate emails from the scheduler at the end of each month, but when I go to the website the test is not available to me.

Turn off your pop-up blockers for their website.

It's not that the test won't open, it isn't even on the list of options!

@Morledzep wrote:

@KathyG wrote:

I get desperate emails from the scheduler at the end of each month, but when I go to the website the test is not available to me.

Turn off your pop-up blockers for their website.

@KathyG wrote:

It's not that the test won't open, it isn't even on the list of options!

If you turn off your pop up blocker you won't get the list, you will be taken directly to the test. And a link to download the guidelines.

I had one shop years ago where I had to try on workout clothes, come out of the dressing room and ask the nearest employees what they thought. I feel politically incorrect to even write this, but it happened. I didn't know anything much about the store when I took the shop. It was in a mall, and I used to make a round of mall shops every now and then. Anyway, this was one of those upscale athletic shoe stores with a few workout clothes thrown in. I don't know how they figured the demographics to give me that assignment, but the employees and customers were mostly in their teens and early twenties, African Americans, mostly male, and I was a thick middle aged white woman. And I was supposed to try on workout clothes and ask them what they thought. Yep, I did it.

For all the times we shoppers try to get in and out quietly unnoticed, to pull this kind of assignment off, you are going to have to turn up the bubbles on the personality and get folks engaged -- you are having so much fun, oh I love this, and look at this! I came out of that fitting room and stood in front of the mirror, twisting and turning, asking them all what they thought. You have never seen so many mouths hanging open in your life. Then, you ask, "Does this work for me?" Look them straight in the eye when you ask them. Raise your eyebrows a little so they think you are serious. I got my interactions.

In the process of the shop, I came out of that store with a very sweet deal on the best pair of gym shoes I have ever owned in my life. I'd be awfully tempted to do it again for a good pair of jeans. Y'all can do it!



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 09/03/2022 12:07PM by GinnyLynn.

@GinnyLynn wrote:

For all the times we shoppers try to get in and out quietly unnoticed, to pull this kind of assignment off, you are going to have to turn up the bubbles on the personality and get folks engaged -- you are having so much fun, oh I love this, and look at this! I came out of that fitting room and stood in front of the mirror, twisting and turning, asking them all what they thought. You have never seen so many mouths hanging open in your life. Then, you ask, "Does this work for me?" Look them straight in the eye when you ask them. Raise your eyebrows a little so they think you are serious. I got my interactions.

I love this! :-)

I did something similar when I went to a bridal show as a prospective bride-to-be. I'm in my early 50s and look like the librarian that I am, with mousy glasses and all that. Plus every bride-to-be was there with moms and sisters and bridesmaids. I was by myself.

So when I was approached by an associate who tentatively asked me if I was the bride (while surreptitiously looking behind me to find out if I was actually a Mom-of-the-bride), I did this whole "Oh my God, I feel so out of place, I mean, maybe I'm too old for this whole wedding thing....." She bent over backwards, telling me that every woman deserves a wedding, etc.

I think I sold it. :-)

@amyann2 wrote:

@GinnyLynn wrote:

For all the times we shoppers try to get in and out quietly unnoticed, to pull this kind of assignment off, you are going to have to turn up the bubbles on the personality and get folks engaged -- you are having so much fun, oh I love this, and look at this! I came out of that fitting room and stood in front of the mirror, twisting and turning, asking them all what they thought. You have never seen so many mouths hanging open in your life. Then, you ask, "Does this work for me?" Look them straight in the eye when you ask them. Raise your eyebrows a little so they think you are serious. I got my interactions.

I love this! :-)

I did something similar when I went to a bridal show as a prospective bride-to-be. I'm in my early 50s and look like the librarian that I am, with mousy glasses and all that. Plus every bride-to-be was there with moms and sisters and bridesmaids. I was by myself.

So when I was approached by an associate who tentatively asked me if I was the bride (while surreptitiously looking behind me to find out if I was actually a Mom-of-the-bride), I did this whole "Oh my God, I feel so out of place, I mean, maybe I'm too old for this whole wedding thing....." She bent over backwards, telling me that every woman deserves a wedding, etc.

I think I sold it. :-)

I hope you gave her a good review just on that statement alone. I'm thinking the Pretty Woman shopping thing.

I am not seeing as many retail clothing stores shops as I used to, but I used to nab every one I could get. These interactions are not to degrade shoppers, they seriously want to see how the staff is doing when it comes to sales and how they are handling the interactions with the customers. You really do have to play the part on these shops though. Although that athletic shoe store threw me for a loop, for retail shops, I generally make an effort to make sure I look like I fit in and would be shopping the particular store. A lot of people are extremely particular when it comes to the fit of their jeans. The questions about the type of interactions were valid for the type of store it was.

I love it @amyann2 You handled it well. I've been eyeing some bridal store shops in my area too, but it could be that I have been a little hesitant. The pay tends to be pretty good though, I'll probably break down and take one when the timing is right.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/03/2022 06:30PM by GinnyLynn.

I've done a couple of bridal store shops. My back story has been that our 40th anniversary shindig got put on hold by Covid, and now I'm making a big production deal out of it with a vow renewal in Hawaii with family. I'm thinking that next time I can tweak it a bit and leave out the Covid part, though.

@GinnyLynn wrote:

I am not seeing as many retail clothing stores shops as I used to, but I used to nab every one I could get. These interactions are not to degrade shoppers, they seriously want to see how the staff is doing when it comes to sales and how they are handling the interactions with the customers. You really do have to play the part on these shops though. Although that athletic shoe store threw me for a loop, for retail shops, I generally make an effort to make sure like I look like I fit in and would be shopping the particular store. A lot of people are extremely particular when it comes to the fit of their jeans. The questions about the type of interactions were valid for the type of store it was.

I love it @amyann2 You handled it well. I've been eyeing some bridal store shops in my area too, but it could be that I have been a little hesitant. The pay tends to be pretty good though, I'll probably break down and take one when the timing is right.

I love it @KathyG That scenario sounds like it would be a lot of fun to shop.