@Book wrote:
Falsifying receipts is one of the easiest scams a mystery shopper can pull. I mean a lot of the receipts are difficult to read before they are even scanned.
A percentage of the general population are always looking to game the system and I’m sure a similar percentage of mystery shoppers do likewise.
It even goes without saying some mystery shoppers go through garbage cans to get receipts to submit. Never underestimate the cunning of some people.
@ColoKate63 wrote:
@Morledzep wrote:
I will admit that I am spectacularly bad at pinpointing someone else's age… I am not the only one of us with a really bad short term memory.
Serious question: if you’re admittedly so bad at these things, why are you working as a mystery shopper?
@Morledzep wrote:
@ColoKate63 wrote:
@Morledzep wrote:
I will admit that I am spectacularly bad at pinpointing someone else's age… I am not the only one of us with a really bad short term memory.
Serious question: if you’re admittedly so bad at these things, why are you working as a mystery shopper?
Because I'm a disabled Automotive technician and I can't work anymore. I have to do something to make money and to feed myself and to pay my bills. I make up for my shortcomings, I take notes, I sent text messages to myself.
There are worse things that people can be than forgetful. They could be judgmental and rude.
@French Farmer wrote:
Something to consider:
Over the years, I've had submitted reports returned by the editor(s) for various reasons. Some were my own fault (wrong photo, missing photo, question not answered, etc - how these were able to be submitted has always puzzled me), others, for in the editor's opinion, was needing an additional photo. For those, the most glaring request was for a store sign that was out of date and I had missed it - the editor wanted a photo of it when they happened to see it on a storefront photo. Thankfully, I was able to.
In saying this, the editors would send back to me the report, requesting whatever.
But, I what I noticed time and time again, that often in receiving these returned reports, were answers that I knew were not mine, but had been changed by someone during the obvious editing process.
I acknowledge that often that person did it for my benefit as well as perhaps, ease in submission, but, on the other hand, the answers were often changed to obviously suit someone other than the shopper's benefit.
Did it happen often? Often enough that I began to notice a pattern with certain MSCs. Currently, with the Wordsmith employees, for one particular, very large MSC, I've not noticed this occurring. However, they have often said something that I cited did not seem as apparent (in my photo) as I considered it and hence, asked that I change the answer. I appreciate that they did not change the answer yet asked me to do it.
For other MSCs, past and present this has not or was not the case. Answers were changed, photos eliminated.
@luckygirl0100 wrote:
Have you looked into a service advisor role?
My ex husband works for Audi, he's a tech and jokes that when his body gives out well before retirement he is going to be a service advisor.....
In reality I think he's looking into a regional position with Audi that would be more hands off, helping diagnose vehicles that techs are having a hard time with.
@Mellifluy wrote:
....I'm sure employees are wondering why I keep staring at their chest....
@redink wrote:
I often wonder what employees think when I open multiple milk doors.
@rmkeith wrote:
I've only been doing MS for Kroger for a year, but I max out every month. I do a very diligent job but, of course, the age is hard. When I was in my 30, some days I'm sure I looked 50. Now in my 60's, on a good day I can pass for mid-40s and look 70 on a bad day.
I've never been asked for weight on any MS for any company. If that was ever a data point, surely it was a long time ago.
I did have to put in a negative review of a young cashier at Kroger and was very pleased when the Kroger followed up with the MSC and the MSC with me to get more information because they wanted to coach the employee. The cashier was young, nervous, lacked confidence and didn't have on clean clothes (which maybe he couldn't help), but I'd like to think the store will give him coaching and build his confidence, which will help his career going forward.
That only applies if they are telling the truth and not trying to get the mystery shopping program abolished. The 50-year-old that was called thirty should have took it as an incredible compliment. No one can be sure of someone's exact age or height. All of the possible hair colors are not included either. I was glad though that they finally added salt and pepper. But they really need an "other" category for hair color. I did a Circle K today with an employee with pink hair. I'd like to see what most people put that as for Kroger! LOL. I put "unable to determine" when the hair color is not provided. I ride a wheelchair cart so I have to stand up to gauge someone's height. But at least I'm 5'6 so if they are taller than me I'm not that far off if they are shorter than me I'm not that far off.@wrosie wrote:
I noticed many of the issues were with the age of the employee. I can see missing a 19 saying they are in their early 20s, but not some of what was said above. Seems like some people were pencil whipping the reports instead of doing them, using past visit names and departments.
Makes us all look bad.