Kroger clarifying questions

Has anybody noticed an uptick in clarifying questions regarding Kroger reports?

I tend to take photos of things that are issues to jog my memory, especially if I have more than one shop in a day. I also take notes on my phone while doing the shop. I have had a couple of questions after the fact now and it makes me feel a little paranoid about doing these.

From my email correspondence, I get the feeling that the stores are contesting the reports. I wish there was a place to add in details in the report rather than getting questions after the fact.

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I agree- I did one yesterday and there was no one in the produce dept- I went back 3 times and no one was there- so I reported that. As for one meat item which is a great price on a digital this week- it was in low stock the reason probably that with a coupon and being able to buy 5 at a time for the low price they sold out quickly- only a few packages left- I wish there was a place to note that-
I often have problems when I do self check and the cashier who mans the 6 registers is working with someone with an issue- I cannot stare at them to see if they are smiling and making eye contact or what they are saying to the customer- at times if there is a major issue they are with the other customer while I check out and I am at a loss as to what to say when I did not actually see them as their head was down working on a coupon or register issue. Some of the questions which have a long list of options for smile, no smile, eye contact no eye contact, greet or no greet with options for each seem a bit foolish to me.
That said except once about 6 months ago when I reported a badge was not visible- it was down a female employees top so I could see the top of it above the apron but not read it without staring at her chest- I was questioned about that. Other than that no questions so far.

No, but I only did one shop this round. I reported two out-of-stock items. My report was approved without question..

I think it's important when you check less than perfect, to write down more detailed comments when you leave the store, e.g. the produce employee was busy scanning stock levels. Low stock does happen on popular meat items (yesterday it was ground beef!) And some stores don't always carry baby back ribs (spare ribs seem to be preferred in those).

My theory is that stores which are usually good have on the ball managers who are more likely to question. The only store where I ever had questions was one of those, and I think I was blocked from shopping there for 6 months. I suspected that the manager looked at the CCTV near the registers. It was the SCOT cashier who didn't greet me. Shortly thereafter, they changed the way the questions were worded so that they could greet or thank me or any other customer..

When I was new I took photos of everything - this was also before new items were added (meat counter, cheese counter, grapes, avocados, etc.). Now I just take photos of what's wrong or I'll take notes like no one greeted at cheese, etc.

I'd rather just add this stuff at the time of the report than have to try to remember it all. I haven't had issues with recalling any details but it makes me concerned I won't always be able to recall all the details.

In the year I have been completing the Kroger shops, I have been contacted more frequently than in all other jobs in my 20+ yrs. In addition, I do not recall that situation ever existing with the prior MSC. This suggests to me the client has become more interested in the results of the work.

Two points: Contacting me does not in any way bother me. I view the follow-ups as part of my contract. Secondly, if such ever became a burden, predicated upon my reward, I would simply exit the program.

@shopperbob wrote:

In the year I have been completing the Kroger shops, I have been contacted more frequently than in all other jobs in my 20+ yrs. In addition, I do not recall that situation ever existing with the prior MSC. This suggests to me the client has become more interested in the results of the work.

Two points: Contacting me does not in any way bother me. I view the follow-ups as part of my contract. Secondly, if such ever became a burden, predicated upon my reward, I would simply exit the program.

That's interesting to hear. I have not really been contacted much at all. Once kind of early on last year when I started when I had said that there was a quality issue. I sent in a picture of some moldy onions and that was that.

In the past three weeks I've gotten two questions that seem to be coming from the client or location management.

Just curious- how long after doing the shop have you been contacted? I keep my notes- have them back to July just wondering,. thanks

@SueW70 wrote:

Just curious- how long after doing the shop have you been contacted? I keep my notes- have them back to July just wondering,. thanks

Whenever I get contacted, it's for shops I did in the past week.

I keep the receipts for a couple of months. But I don't keep the notes after I get paid. And I probably don't need to keep them after the shop is approved. I've only ever been contacted about a shop at Kroger one time.

Hi Olympia - I've not seen an increase in Kroger clarifying questions. I usually do 12 to 14 of their shops per round and I haven't had any questions this year. I don't worry to much about follow up questions, I try to think of them as: the store wants to improve or if I missed something I'll do better next time.

Regarding keeping notes, I delete them once I've been paid.

I like to draw a smiley face saying Hi, if I get all three (eye, smile, greet). For the close it is TY and Invite (see you next time) so the initials TY and maybe invite (rare).

@Mellifluy wrote:

@SueW70 wrote:

Just curious- how long after doing the shop have you been contacted? I keep my notes- have them back to July just wondering,. thanks

Whenever I get contacted, it's for shops I did in the past week.

Yes, it's been the last few days. I've never been contacted about something far back.

I've only been contacted three times so it's not like a ton but one from this round and one from the last round.

I've only ever been contacted when I uploaded a wrong format of a competitor receipt. (Online Order). Otherwise never, I did have one pick up where it took me over 35 minutes to get assistance on the pick up, and I wrote to the scheduler a detailed paragraph. I told him I didn't know if they really wanted it since there isn't room for any details, but I felt that they should know since it is strictly multiple choice which doesn't convey a 35 minute wait and having to track down a manager.

I have always wondered why the report doesn't ask for wait times in in-store cashier lines.

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