Ethics. Integrity. Honesty. I have pulled up to a pump with a receipt hanging from the printer on several occasions. I pull the previous customer's receipt from the dispenser and throw it in the trash.@johnb974 wrote:
If you're doing a gas station shop, you pull up to a pump where another car had just left. They left their receipt at the pump. What's to stop you from using their receipt? I'm asking for a friend, who had the idea.
This is not the same question, but the previous answers are still relative.@johnb974 wrote:
My question is, if I go to a gas station with a friend. They buy gas, while I watch, they hand me the receipt. What difference does it make who pays for the gas? I'm there to make sure the pump works.
And the guidelines state that the shopper pays for the gas. They tell you to drive up, pump the gas and pay. They're not saying, drive up, and find some rando to pump your gas and pay for it. Of course it matters who pays for the gas since they are reimbursing you for part of it. If you don't pay, then you shouldn't get that reimbursement. Also, some gas station shops want to know how quickly the gas flowed within a certain number of seconds, so how are you going to know how it's flowing if you're not there with the pump in your hand?@johnb974 wrote:
My thought is, who pays for the gas is not part of the mystery shopping assignment. Why should they care who pays, as long as the shop gets done and you follow the guidelines.
@johnb974 wrote:
My question is, if I go to a gas station with a friend. They buy gas, while I watch, they hand me the receipt. What difference does it make who pays for the gas? I'm there to make sure the pump works.
@shopnyc wrote:
And the guidelines state that the shopper pays for the gas. They tell you to drive up, pump the gas and pay. They're not saying, drive up, and find some rando to pump your gas and pay for it. Of course it matters who pays for the gas since they are reimbursing you for part of it. If you don't pay, then you shouldn't get that reimbursement. Also, some gas station shops want to know how quickly the gas flowed within a certain number of seconds, so how are you going to know how it's flowing if you're not there with the pump in your hand?@johnb974 wrote:
My thought is, who pays for the gas is not part of the mystery shopping assignment. Why should they care who pays, as long as the shop gets done and you follow the guidelines.
@sestrahelena wrote:
@johnb974 wrote:
My question is, if I go to a gas station with a friend. They buy gas, while I watch, they hand me the receipt. What difference does it make who pays for the gas? I'm there to make sure the pump works.
Almost all gas shops specify that the shopper is to shop ALONE. The theoretical "friend" should not even be there.
@sestrahelena wrote:
It would be found in the instructions.
Also, gas receipts show time, payment method, price per gallon, gallons pumped, ect. You never noticed?
It's not how much is flowing; it's how fast. You look at the numbers on the pump and count.@johnb974 wrote:
How can they tell how much gas is flowing from looking at a receipt?
@shopnyc wrote:
It's not how much is flowing; it's how fast. You look at the numbers on the pump and count.@johnb974 wrote:
How can they tell how much gas is flowing from looking at a receipt?
I didn't say every gas station shop asks for that. However, some must, because that's what I had to do recently. The instructions were to use a stop watch or the timer on my phone to check how long it takes to pump one gallon of gas. Whether you believe me or not doesn't change the fact that that's what the client wanted.@johnb974 wrote:
You're not asked to look at the pump and count. You're not asked to measure the flow rate. They just want proof the pump works and prints a receipt.
@French Farmer wrote:
Supposedly, the MSC can view site video. That could be a problem if the receipt you used showed an earlier time that when you were at the pump.
OTOH, there have been a few times when my car was not at the dispenser when I've purchased gas for someone.
The last time was this past summer when a girl came up to me tearfully asking for a dollar or 2. She said that her card had been declined. Since, I had not purchased any fuel yet, I told her I would buy $5 worth for her. I put my card in the pump she was parked at and put $5 worth into her car.
So technically, I did not purchase the gas for myself, nor was my own vehicle in that pump slot - the video would show that. But I did pay for the gas. I figure it is no more different that when I give someone the package of crackers or whatever I purchased inside the site's shop.
I remember the stories I was told by my grandparents of the times of the Great Depression when folks, out of work or homeless knocking on the farmhouse door asking for money or whatever. They would get no money, but would get a meal and/or a place to sleep for the night (usually the barn).
So, I follow the same practice - no money, but maybe something to eat, $5 in gas.
Apologies in advance for going somewhat off topic.
@johnb974 wrote:
People do not have to be a customer to use the restroom.
@mystery2me wrote:
@johnb974 wrote:
People do not have to be a customer to use the restroom.
A minor point, but many stations have signs like, "No public restrooms. Restrooms for [gas brand] customers only." Even without the sign, if they refuse to give me a key to a locked restroom before the reveal, I want to ding them without them having the excuse I didn't pump gas.
@Morledzep wrote:
There are gas station shops where you are supposed to time the flow rate of 1 gallon of gas. And there are different shops where you simply pump some gas and get reimbursed for a certain amount to verify that the pump and credit card machine works. They are two different shops for different gas station brands.
Some of the stations require that you pump the gas into a vehicle, and not a gas can. But ZERO shops require that you use your own vehicle, or even your own personal credit or debit card. And the amount of gasoline you pump is none of the MSC's concern, but you will only be reimbursed for the fixed amount the shop requires. Some are 1 gallon, some are 2 gallons, some say up to $2, $5 or $7. But no one is keeping you from pumping more nor do they care who pays for it. But for most of the shops you are supposed to be working alone. And the editors do NOT have access to your profile, so they can't see a picture of you or know what vehicle you drive. And the MSC's do not and should not have your credit card information.