How to handle co asking more questions beyond 176 question survey

I am a new shopper. I did a restaurant shop. Unfortunately I didn't realize there were 176 questions til afterwards. It took me HOURS. I haven't been paid. Now co sent email with dozens of addntl questions incl some already answered on survey. The shop only paid $15; not paid yet or reimbursed. Can I request more fee money to answer these addntl questions? I think it's outrageous they are even asking as the person obviously didn't read the survey I wrote. The co already got way more of my time than $15.00. Any suggestions how to approach?

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Yikes, it sounds like a fine dining shop. They can be very comprehensive. Most experienced shoppers would recommend that you start with lower end restaurants and fast food to get a feel for what is expected before jumping or even deciding that you want to do higher end restaurant assignments at all. Some love them and other very seasoned shoppers don't touch them. I used to do a fair number some years back, but had been away from shopping for a while and haven't done any of that level since covid. It sounds like you jumped in head first though. That amount of detail is very typical of fine dining assignments. They consider the meal reimbursement as part of the pay. I don't know how much a consideration it is or how much you shelled out, but be aware that if you bail on such, you will not be reimbursed for the meal.

How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg?
"Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg."
-- Abraham Lincoln

That MSC is a 10 foot pole company for a reason.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

To answer your question.
No you can not ask for an additional fee to answer the follow up questions. If you don't answer them you will not be paid the fee or reimbursed for the meal.

Words of advice
Answer all questions, even the ones that were already answered. Then do hundreds of casual dining/ fast food/ retail before attempting another fine dining. Especially for Coyle!

Oh, you can ask for an additional fee. They won't laugh in your face, but they will say a certain, "No." You might also burn your bridges and never be able to receive any assignments from the MSC again.

Which MSC is this? I usually do get emails asking for clarification, but never was it for something I've already detailed in the report. I would consider myself a seasoned shopper, but even I limit myself to only 1 of these fine dining shops a month. I can whip out a report in under an hour, but still, it takes a lot of energy out of me!

The one and only fine dining shop I did took hours to write the report. I finished at 3:30 A.M.! I was paid but have never done another fine dining shop. I still feel bad for the server who happily told me it was her first day working without supervision not knowing I was mystery shopping her.

Wonderful thread for us and possibly for the new shopper board.

Gawdawful experience for the OP.

Mods? Jacob? Would this topic and thread qualify as an invaluable lesson for the new shopper board?

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu

I doubt they'll offer more money if you ask. You agreed to the terms when you signed up for the shop.

Work with them and use this as a teachable moment.

The reporting for higher end dining is on another level!

Over the weekend, I completed my first higher-end dining shop. While I spent 3-4 hours on the report, I went in knowing it was $0 pay with $115 reimbursement.

I was slightly overwhelmed with this assignment because I've been mystery shopping for only 5 weeks now.

Greg
South Florida: Broward and Palm Beach County

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/2022 01:32PM by GSRshops.

@MSMistress wrote:

I am a new shopper. I did a restaurant shop. Unfortunately I didn't realize there were 176 questions til afterwards. It took me HOURS. I haven't been paid. Now co sent email with dozens of addntl questions incl some already answered on survey. The shop only paid $15; not paid yet or reimbursed. Can I request more fee money to answer these addntl questions? I think it's outrageous they are even asking as the person obviously didn't read the survey I wrote. The co already got way more of my time than $15.00. Any suggestions how to approach?

When I was brand new I signed up for three fine dining shops in a week. That was a trial by fire! I got lots of questions sent back to me on all of them. I was really annoyed at the time as I had also spent hours on them (not for the 10 ft pole company).

I went back and worked on them and hated every minute of it but hopefully I proved myself as reachable and reliable to answer questions and correct the reports. All I can advise is that you do the same.

Try to read some more reports of people on here to get a better feel for these kinds of shops. Get a good timer and come up with a system to help take notes while you dine to help you with the reports later. It gets better but these shops can be a bear even if you have experience under your belt.

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How to handle co asking more questions beyond 176 question survey

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