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Less than a half dozen men

October 17, 2023 07:29PM
There are several locations in my area that I shop on a semi-regular basis. They are all very good in terms of food, service and cleanliness. However, I have noticed "push back" if anything is scored less than perfect. I will get a follow up email asking for more specifics (IE which light was burned out, how specifically was the shirt dirty, etc.) It seems like they only want perfect scores. Anyone else see this?
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October 17, 2023 07:46PM
I rarely get questioned further about any negatives I mention. Do you explain which light was out and / or how the shirt was dirty in the comment boxes? I always (if there's enough room to do so) mention the negatives so they already know why I marked down for litter on the counter, tables had napkins on them, someone was wearing a nametag, etc. And I am highly annoyed on the rare occasion I am questioned about something that was already included in the report. Also, I try to discreetly snap a pic of any negative issues so I have 'proof' that the floor was dirty or the windows were smudged. I've never been asked for a pic and I've never sent one in, but I still like to have one, just in case. I HAVE been questioned about the extra, extra crispy bacon two or three times. Yes, I know it's supposed to be crispy. It should NOT, however, disintegrate into dust when I take a bite. Nor should it be put back on the grill to 'warm up,' as happened one time.
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October 17, 2023 10:10PM
Yes, I always add as much info as I can, given the space limitations. It's just annoying. (I take pictures, too) One time I wrote something to the effect of trash, including bags, wrappers and cups, on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. They responded asking if the trash was clearly from the restaurant.
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October 17, 2023 10:21PM
As a customer, I would not care much if trash was clearly from a restaurant. I would care more if it was old trash.
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October 18, 2023 01:33AM
I think they were concerned whether or not it was their responsibility, OR if it made the restaurant look lax in their cleaning.
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October 18, 2023 06:19AM
On the report for the MSC that has these shops, you can add extra pictures. Just click on the button (like you were going to add the receipt) and add the picture(s) of whatever issue(s) you encountered. This can be helpful when there are several issues and not enough room in the comment box to explain. (Yet there are 80 characters allowed for the employee name on one of their other shops)
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October 19, 2023 02:13AM
@Nikki21 wrote:

There are several locations in my area that I shop on a semi-regular basis. They are all very good in terms of food, service and cleanliness. However, I have noticed "push back" if anything is scored less than perfect. I will get a follow up email asking for more specifics (IE which light was burned out, how specifically was the shirt dirty, etc.) It seems like they only want perfect scores. Anyone else see this?
Yes, I encountered that a few years ago with McDonald's and Sonic. I finally put them on my "Do Not Shop" list until another MSC acquired Sonic shops. McDonald's killed themselves. I do not see the sense of a company paying mystery shoppers while forcing them to give perfect scores. IMO, that is a waste of money, and I am glad I do not have stock in companies that do this.
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October 19, 2023 12:11PM
Exactly
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October 19, 2023 05:14PM
@AZwolfman wrote:

Yes, I encountered that a few years ago with McDonald's and Sonic. I finally put them on my "Do Not Shop" list until another MSC acquired Sonic shops. McDonald's killed themselves. I do not see the sense of a company paying mystery shoppers while forcing them to give perfect scores. IMO, that is a waste of money, and I am glad I do not have stock in companies that do this.

I hope this isn't your sole or make it or break it criteria when stock picking. If you held stock in McDonald's for the last 20 years, you would have an 18 fold increase in your money, not including dividends, compared to a greater than 5 fold increase in the S & P 500 also not counting dividends.
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October 20, 2023 11:55PM
Of course it's not, but I also do not support or shop companies that I do not believe in, such as marijuana or tobacco shops.
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October 21, 2023 07:12PM
Hooman, you sound like a dedicated shopper. Dedicated to do a wonderful job that is. Kudos to you.
@HoomanShopper wrote:

I rarely get questioned further about any negatives I mention. Do you explain which light was out and / or how the shirt was dirty in the comment boxes? I always (if there's enough room to do so) mention the negatives so they already know why I marked down for litter on the counter, tables had napkins on them, someone was wearing a nametag, etc. And I am highly annoyed on the rare occasion I am questioned about something that was already included in the report. Also, I try to discreetly snap a pic of any negative issues so I have 'proof' that the floor was dirty or the windows were smudged. I've never been asked for a pic and I've never sent one in, but I still like to have one, just in case. I HAVE been questioned about the extra, extra crispy bacon two or three times. Yes, I know it's supposed to be crispy. It should NOT, however, disintegrate into dust when I take a bite. Nor should it be put back on the grill to 'warm up,' as happened one time.
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