I have never done a Lobster shop before.. So I should be able to see the requirements.

I don't mind doing the Red Lobster shops. I have a favor to ask people who have done a lot of successful shops for this MSC. Are you able to self-assign hotel shops for Drury and other hotels?

@JimmyP wrote:

I don't mind doing the Red Lobster shops. I have a favor to ask people who have done a lot of successful shops for this MSC. Are you able to self-assign hotel shops for Drury and other hotels?

Not Drury, but some other hotels yes.

Just got my first Red Lobster Shop since before covid. I was scheduled to do my second ever Red Lobster Shop right as we were going into out first ever lockdown. The lockdown went into effect the day before we were scheduled, I was a little annoyed at the time as I had completed a harder to schedule location the month before in order to get that one assigned to me. Once again I had to grab a location further away, as these shops fly off the board.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/23/2022 08:59PM by Lady Marius.

Both in my area gone in a flash. Will have to be more on top of that!

I did one earlier this month. We went over the reimbursement a bit. It was just okay. I was not all that impressed with the food, but I guess some folks really enjoy it. Service was fine. Clam Chowder was great. I wouldn't rush to do it again, especially because they pay so late the following month. So it will be nearly two months before I see the reimbursement.

I love Red Lobster

The Lobster shop is something I may do - only because I'd like MSC to see I can do restaurants (at least I think I can, my doctor and my blood report will attest I do it well). The only consternation I have - is pictures. If I take pictures of multiple entrees and appetizers, and then go take a picture of the lobster tank and whatever else, I gotta think a staff member will see that and if they identify me as a shopper - would I still get credit. if I worked there, and saw a customer snapping pics, I'd wink at my co-worker to tip him off for sure. Seems to be a popular shop, I noticed they get taken fast.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/2023 10:34PM by BabyBooey19.

I've got one tonight. I sent the scheduler a question but haven't heard back. Can anyone answer this?

Do have to order 1 appetizer, 1 Signature Feast and 1 side EACH, or just 1 from the whole list? For example, if I order one of their listed appetizers, I can then order any entrée and side?

**January Featured Items:**
- Please order 1 item from 1 of the categories below.

Appetizers • Fried Calamari • Seafood Dip • Lobster Pizza • Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms Signature Feasts (menu section – each counts as 1 entrée) •

Ultimate Feast - can include Create Your Own Ultimate Feast from the promo menu too (platter/entrée) • Signature Feast Lobster, Shrimp and Salmon (platter/entrée) • Admiral’s Feast (platter/entrée) 2 • Fish & Chips (entrée choice from the Dockside Duo promotional menu acceptable)

Side Dishes • Rice • Broccoli • Mashed Potatoes

The guidelines say:

**January Featured Items:** - Please order

(1 item from 1 of the categories below)

That seems pretty straight forward to me. You only need to order 1 of the items. Either an Appetizer, an Entree or Side dish.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2023 10:09PM by Lady Marius.

@Wrosie:

What did the scheduler say? I assumed it was either or with the appetizer and the entree, but I think you need one of the sides in addition. I'm sure that if you did not order a seafood appetizer or seafood entree, the shop would be invalid if ALL you ordered was one of the sides and 2 non-seafood entrees or non-seafood apps.

They've always been pretty specific about requiring at least one seafood item. In the past it was a seafood entree.

Kinda curious what they said. I have one of these scheduled for Wednesday.

DJR,

He's their response.

"Hi XXX,
Thanks for reaching out. You just have to order 1 thing from the whole list, not 1 thing from each category.
We hope you enjoy your visit."
,
We got the Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms $12.29 (were excellent)
Create Your Own Ultimate Feast 4 entrée type items, scallops, lobster tail and shrimp two ways $42.99
New Orleans Salmon Full $30.79
1 soda $3.59
1 water

With tax and 20% tip it came to $117. If we had done the 3 item Ultimate Feast and only the half Salmon, it would have been about $16 less or just a tad over the $100 reimbursement. If you do an 18% tip, you could be at reimbursement.

I thought the report was reasonable. No timings were required but I took them anyways. The narratives only required 5-7 sentences and were very easy.

Cleanliness, ambiance and service for us was excellent. I'd gladly do another one in 90 days when I'm back in rotation.

Second hardest thing was taking pictures before my guest started to eat something.

Worst thing about it is they make you use that damned tabletop device to pay using credit or debit. If you want a printed receipt, it will print out at the server station and they will have to bring it to you. So why the hell can't they just run the credit card themselves? I guess it does prevent stealing of credit card numbers.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2023 05:38AM by wrosie.

Thanks,
I've done them before, but the January changes to the order requirements had me a little flummoxed. I still can't believe they would accept a shop with 2 non-seafood entrees and a non-seafood appetizer. The guidelines even say that one seafood entree is required. Anyway, we'll be skipping the entree, getting the Ultimate Feast for one of the entrees and a cheaper entree to stay under the $100. Regarding the table top devices, I've just asked them to run the card because "I;m old and don't trust those things." That's worked for me in the past.

it’s been a while for me but i think you can request an email receipt

@wrosie wrote:

DJR,

He's their response.

"Hi XXX,
Thanks for reaching out. You just have to order 1 thing from the whole list, not 1 thing from each category.
We hope you enjoy your visit."
,
We got the Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms $12.29 (were excellent)
Create Your Own Ultimate Feast 4 entrée type items, scallops, lobster tail and shrimp two ways $42.99
New Orleans Salmon Full $30.79
1 soda $3.59
1 water

With tax and 20% tip it came to $117. If we had done the 3 item Ultimate Feast and only the half Salmon, it would have been about $16 less or just a tad over the $100 reimbursement. If you do an 18% tip, you could be at reimbursement.

I thought the report was reasonable. No timings were required but I took them anyways. The narratives only required 5-7 sentences and were very easy.

Cleanliness, ambiance and service for us was excellent. I'd gladly do another one in 90 days when I'm back in rotation.

Second hardest thing was taking pictures before my guest started to eat something.

Worst thing about it is they make you use that damned tabletop device to pay using credit or debit. If you want a printed receipt, it will print out at the server station and they will have to bring it to you. So why the hell can't they just run the credit card themselves? I guess it does prevent stealing of credit card numbers.

When I know I will be going to a sit down place like that, I will always take cash with me. (well try to).... Now if is like a fast food place, I will use my debit card if I don't have any cash on me...

Never again. Never. Again.

I have done this twice at two different locations. The first time was comically bad. The second time I thought it had to be better. No. Exponentially worse. I would say you could not pay me to do this again but the sad thing is, I was not paid for the first two times.

No salads, no cod, no burgers, supposedly only two people cooking and poorly cooked food. I wrote the report obectively but boy oh boy was it bad. My only solace is that the spending is going towards a new credit card bonus. I'm also thankful I did not throw up.

Sorry to come here and spew a vent but the locations near me are really bad. I left questioning my life decisons that brought me to do that for no pay.

it is awful food. also, too much sodium. you pay for it with your health.

@LindaM wrote:

it is awful food. also, too much sodium. you pay for it with your health.

You're right. I stumbed upon a very old thread where people were talking about poor food decisions and weight gain as a result of MSing. It really reasonated with me.

I feel like it's also hard to balance financial and health decisions. What's "free" today might cost you more in the future.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/27/2023 12:15PM by olympia tennenbaum.

Interesting. I have done a few different locations and they have all gone quite well. Room for improvement, of course, but still very nice. I enjoy the food. Oh, how I miss their Baja Shrimp Bowl. I've tried similar dishes at other chains but they don't come close. Really hope they bring it back some day.

Completed a RL shop last night. Came in $1 over reimbursement with 2 alcoholic beverages. My guest's food was excellent; lobster, shrimp and salmon. On my entree the main was piping hot but the side was luke warm.

The worst part for me is seeing the lobsters in the tank, just knowing their destiny.

Still lovin the cheddar biscuits to this day.

I'm wondering if you went there for lunch? I recently had lunch at RL on my own dime, ordered from the lunch menu, and didn't like the food. The fried shrimp reminded me of the stuff you can buy from the frozen food section of the grocery store. Then I saw a dinner shop listed and decided to try again without looking for the cheapest entree since it was being reimbursed. The food was excellent. Both of us had lobster tails and my companion had the steak and lobster. I'll definitely shop there again. Some other shoppers complained about the lack of healthy choices on the menu but I thought there were quite a few. Sticking with broiled or steamed seafood instead of fried, ordering salmon instead of shellfish, having a salad and vegetable, and skipping alcoholic beverages would make for a healthy meal.

I have no problem doing this shop & the food quality. I know going in it's not Capitol Grille or Maple & Ash... I'm on the AIP diet (autoimmune protocol) so I request my salad to be just lettuce & I bring my own dressing. I also request no butter on my steak. It was still quite flavorful. My kids happily ate the lobster tail & biscuits! They enjoy the salad, but with all the toppings.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2023 08:10PM by luckygirl0100.

I’ve done dinner both times and both locations are were a wreck. First place had no plates to give us with biscuits and appetizers and stone cold food - they did replace it. Second place everything seemed to go wrong. So many things unavailable. And then a 40+ minute wait for one entree. And burnt, cold and undercooked food across the different dishes. I have pleasant memories of going as a kid but these were two awful experiences.

Perhaps we should have gone for some more non fried options so that was on us. We did get grilled shrimp and they were tiny, dried out and burnt.

I will leave these lobsters for you all. I’m glad some people are having good experiences. Perhaps I just hit two fluke nights.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2023 09:43PM by olympia tennenbaum.

@olympia tennenbaum wrote:

I’ve done dinner both times and both locations are were a wreck. First place had no plates to give us with biscuits and appetizers and stone cold food - they did replace it. Second place everything seemed to go wrong. So many things unavailable. And then a 40+ minute wait for one entree. And burnt, cold and undercooked food across the different dishes. I have pleasant memories of going as a kid but these were two awful experiences.

Perhaps we should have gone for some more non fried options so that was on us. We did get grilled shrimp and they were tiny, dried out and burnt.

I will leave these lobsters for you all. I’m glad some people are having good experiences. Perhaps I just hit two fluke nights.

That probably why they are mystery shopped. Some good some bad.

The guidelines were pretty clear to me. You have to order at least one item from the whole list (could just be brocolli as one of your sides,) AND at least one seafood entree (could be your item from the list or not even be on the list.)

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/25/2023 04:24AM by mystery2me.

@mystery2me wrote:

The guidelines were pretty clear to me. You have to order at least one item from the whole list (could just be brocolli as one of your sides,) AND at least one seafood entree (could be your item from the list or not even be on the list.)

Agreed but I wasn't about to spend $100 with no chance of reimburement.

Yes, it did seem odd a side of rice could be the required item. And it could have been a typo. Wouldn't be the first time. I was mainly pointing out a seafood entree is still required, even if it is not the item chosen from the list.

I thought the guidelines were pretty clear as well. The two requirements were seperate requirements. I liked that you could get one dish (one of the listed entrees) and kill two birds(fish) with one stone. I too thought it was crazy that you could just get a side of mashed potato (for example, to complete that requirement). But that is what the guidelines state.

We actually ended up getting three of the items from that list: an Ultimate Feast, an Admiral's Feast and a side Mashed Potato.

@mystery2me wrote:

The guidelines were pretty clear to me. You have to order at least one item from the whole list (could just be brocolli as one of your sides,) AND at least one seafood entree (could be your item from the list or not even be on the list.)

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/25/2023 03:35PM by Lady Marius.