Martiz Gas Station Shops
Actually tomorrow will be okay because it is just a debranding and there are no bathroom photos, but glad to know it now or I would get there and not have one. I see they are on amazon for about 6 bucks with free shipping.
Wonder i
Wonder i
That beats the one I found for $16. Besides that, to me, is better than going to Wal Mart.
Cyberjf - You asked are the Maritz stations worth it. That depends on your personal situation. Do you have more than you can do that pays more than the Maritz stations? Yes? You don't need them. No? You should think about adding the stations if you would be comfortable doing them.
I do multiple types of station audits for Maritz and also do station audits for CORI. If you want to start doing them, I recommend that you pick the type that is most common in your area and start with it. Don't try to learn several types at once. Get one type down pat and then add another one.
In a past life I was a station manager for Racetrac and I really enjoy the stations. I'm sure this colors my thinking on doing them. There is a lot of detail, but it gets easier.
Most important is to have a good cheat sheet so you're certain you have all your information and all your pictures. I can send you copies of my cheat sheets if you'd like to have them. They don't come with a guarantee and I'm sure you can improve them, but they'll give you a starting place.
Send me your email if you want them. Anybody else wants them, send me your email.
I do multiple types of station audits for Maritz and also do station audits for CORI. If you want to start doing them, I recommend that you pick the type that is most common in your area and start with it. Don't try to learn several types at once. Get one type down pat and then add another one.
In a past life I was a station manager for Racetrac and I really enjoy the stations. I'm sure this colors my thinking on doing them. There is a lot of detail, but it gets easier.
Most important is to have a good cheat sheet so you're certain you have all your information and all your pictures. I can send you copies of my cheat sheets if you'd like to have them. They don't come with a guarantee and I'm sure you can improve them, but they'll give you a starting place.
Send me your email if you want them. Anybody else wants them, send me your email.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
I have done the gas station shops. I won't do them again just because the time it takes to do pictures and reports isn't worth the pay plus a gazillion pages to print. Maritz is a good company though.
I've been doing Maritz Gas audits for four years and I really enjoy doing them. Maritz does audits for four different gas companies in a variety of formats:
Chevron/Texaco audits broken into DAY and NIGHT shops are done M-F except holidays. They require 10-15 photos each and pay $15 each (all taxable).
Chevron/Texaco mystery shops broken into DAY and NIGHT shops are done seven days a week including holidays. They don't require any photos and pay $12: $6 taxable; $6 reimbursable. You are designated as either a Chevron/Texaco auditor or a mystery shopper--you cannot do both and there is a 6 month waiting period to switch from one type to the other.
BP mystery shop/audits are done seven days a week 7am - 7pm and pay $11 taxable and $5 reimbursable. They require 10-20 photos each.
Shell mystery shop/audits are done seven days a week 8am - 6pm (winter) and 7am - 7pm (summer). They require 15-20 photos each and pay $10 taxable and reimburse for 2 gallons of gas.
Maritz shops are worthwhile if you can group 10 or more in one general area or in a circular travel path.
Maritz pays by check every two weeks usually 3 weeks to a month after you complete your shops. I just wish they would adopt direct deposit. Maritz pays bonuses for shops that are over 100 miles from your home but only at the end of the reporting period. Most of the gas station audits are done quarterly or every four months.
Chevron/Texaco audits broken into DAY and NIGHT shops are done M-F except holidays. They require 10-15 photos each and pay $15 each (all taxable).
Chevron/Texaco mystery shops broken into DAY and NIGHT shops are done seven days a week including holidays. They don't require any photos and pay $12: $6 taxable; $6 reimbursable. You are designated as either a Chevron/Texaco auditor or a mystery shopper--you cannot do both and there is a 6 month waiting period to switch from one type to the other.
BP mystery shop/audits are done seven days a week 7am - 7pm and pay $11 taxable and $5 reimbursable. They require 10-20 photos each.
Shell mystery shop/audits are done seven days a week 8am - 6pm (winter) and 7am - 7pm (summer). They require 15-20 photos each and pay $10 taxable and reimburse for 2 gallons of gas.
Maritz shops are worthwhile if you can group 10 or more in one general area or in a circular travel path.
Maritz pays by check every two weeks usually 3 weeks to a month after you complete your shops. I just wish they would adopt direct deposit. Maritz pays bonuses for shops that are over 100 miles from your home but only at the end of the reporting period. Most of the gas station audits are done quarterly or every four months.
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One buzzard to another while circling high overhead (paraphrased), "Patience hell! I want to shop somewhere."
One buzzard to another while circling high overhead (paraphrased), "Patience hell! I want to shop somewhere."
One addendum to my post.
I created my own worksheets for the Shell audits and the Chevron/Texaco mystery shops that comprise a single 8 1/2 x 11 sheet front and back because printing the forms that are on the website would be six to eight pages long. However, Maritz sends out all of the materials needed for the Chevron/Texaco audits including the cover letters. For the BP audits they send out the forms and cover sheets but you need to print out the cover letters.
Every Maritz shop requires a unique hexidecimal eight-digit code to be entered to begin the online report and this code can only be accessed by preparing the online form (with print preview) for Shell and the Chevron/Texaco mystery shops. The forms that are sent to you for the Chevron/Texaco and BP audits will have the code printed on them.
I created my own worksheets for the Shell audits and the Chevron/Texaco mystery shops that comprise a single 8 1/2 x 11 sheet front and back because printing the forms that are on the website would be six to eight pages long. However, Maritz sends out all of the materials needed for the Chevron/Texaco audits including the cover letters. For the BP audits they send out the forms and cover sheets but you need to print out the cover letters.
Every Maritz shop requires a unique hexidecimal eight-digit code to be entered to begin the online report and this code can only be accessed by preparing the online form (with print preview) for Shell and the Chevron/Texaco mystery shops. The forms that are sent to you for the Chevron/Texaco and BP audits will have the code printed on them.
**************************************************************
One buzzard to another while circling high overhead (paraphrased), "Patience hell! I want to shop somewhere."
One buzzard to another while circling high overhead (paraphrased), "Patience hell! I want to shop somewhere."
tanman, please edit the client names out of your posts. It is an ICA violation to reveal the names of a company's clients and also against the Posting Guidelines for this board. Thanks!
Doesn't an orange vest give you away? It seems like it would be an obvious flag to the employees at the location. Especially if they were shopped more than once. Most of the companies seem to want you to blend in and role play as a regular customer.
And can anyone tell me how to surreptitiously take photos? I'm a newbie and trying to work everything out.
And can anyone tell me how to surreptitiously take photos? I'm a newbie and trying to work everything out.
These shops usually require you to go thru secretly and find the errors and then reveal yourself. That is when you put on your awesome orange vest and take pictures.
cpstandre Wrote:
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> Doesn't an orange vest give you away? It seems
> like it would be an obvious flag to the employees
> at the location. Especially if they were shopped
> more than once. Most of the companies seem to want
> you to blend in and role play as a regular
> customer.
>
> And can anyone tell me how to surreptitiously take
> photos? I'm a newbie and trying to work everything
> out.
You don't wear the orange vest until after you do the customer service mystery shop at the yellow stations and reveal yourself. The orange vest is worn only when you are taking pictures. It's an audit not a mystery shop. You do not wear the orange vest when you are doing a mystery shop at all. Hope this helps clear any misunderstanding. The other gas stations Maritz has are strictly mystery shops. No orange vest.
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> Doesn't an orange vest give you away? It seems
> like it would be an obvious flag to the employees
> at the location. Especially if they were shopped
> more than once. Most of the companies seem to want
> you to blend in and role play as a regular
> customer.
>
> And can anyone tell me how to surreptitiously take
> photos? I'm a newbie and trying to work everything
> out.
You don't wear the orange vest until after you do the customer service mystery shop at the yellow stations and reveal yourself. The orange vest is worn only when you are taking pictures. It's an audit not a mystery shop. You do not wear the orange vest when you are doing a mystery shop at all. Hope this helps clear any misunderstanding. The other gas stations Maritz has are strictly mystery shops. No orange vest.
You people kill me! The Gas Station Audits are easy.
No forms to print - They send you what you need.
A location in compliance requires about 14 pictures - Easy to resize with a free download of PIXresizer.
Very little to do on the report except select answers.
The orange vests maybe silly to some - They help to keep your Butt from getting run over. Plus, they give you a reason to sue the idiot that does!
No forms to print - They send you what you need.
A location in compliance requires about 14 pictures - Easy to resize with a free download of PIXresizer.
Very little to do on the report except select answers.
The orange vests maybe silly to some - They help to keep your Butt from getting run over. Plus, they give you a reason to sue the idiot that does!
Shopping Bama and parts of Georgia.
I'm still learning 24/7.
I'm still learning 24/7.
One other gas station, they have, has the requirement of the orange vest now. It stared before this last round. The vest photo is also required. I had to take mine in my car window.
Purchase and pump your gas. Don't forget the receipt. Move your car and fill our the first part of the evaluation. I take my vest (under my arm), my evaluation and my introduction letter. Introduce yourself and give them the introduction letter. They usually know what it is. I put my vest on after that and take my photos inside. It is easier to fill our the evaluation first and then take photos when you first start.
I do everything I need to do inside and then go outside. That way I don't forget my inside photos.
No photos are taken until the introduction letter is presented and accepted. If they ask me to come back I tell them I cannot come back. Once you are on the property the shop has to be completed or you leave and call the scheduler. I also go across the street and take a couple of photos. Your letter explains what you are going to do. If they don't want you to there is nothing you can do. Try not to get any people in the photos. Mine have backs of folks and I can take a photo where a pump hides the person.
It really not as complicated as it sounds it just taks a few audits to get it all down. Be sure you check your photos with the guide list to make sure you all the shots needed and all the photos to back up your "no" answers. If you miss a photo you have to go back and get it. A scheduler once told me take a bunch and that way if there is any question you can go back in your file and maybe find the photo you need.
Purchase and pump your gas. Don't forget the receipt. Move your car and fill our the first part of the evaluation. I take my vest (under my arm), my evaluation and my introduction letter. Introduce yourself and give them the introduction letter. They usually know what it is. I put my vest on after that and take my photos inside. It is easier to fill our the evaluation first and then take photos when you first start.
I do everything I need to do inside and then go outside. That way I don't forget my inside photos.
No photos are taken until the introduction letter is presented and accepted. If they ask me to come back I tell them I cannot come back. Once you are on the property the shop has to be completed or you leave and call the scheduler. I also go across the street and take a couple of photos. Your letter explains what you are going to do. If they don't want you to there is nothing you can do. Try not to get any people in the photos. Mine have backs of folks and I can take a photo where a pump hides the person.
It really not as complicated as it sounds it just taks a few audits to get it all down. Be sure you check your photos with the guide list to make sure you all the shots needed and all the photos to back up your "no" answers. If you miss a photo you have to go back and get it. A scheduler once told me take a bunch and that way if there is any question you can go back in your file and maybe find the photo you need.
I still had a station that didn't require the vest picture. The employee at the gas station, however, wanted to be in every picture and kept jumping in front of the camera smiling. She kept telling me how cool she thought it was that I was doing this. LOL... Not sure if she thought this was her big modeling break or what the deal was.
Tried to snap photos really quick whenever a customer was there and cropped her out of a couple when I got home.
I always take a few extra random shots just in case. Once you get the hang of the shop, you can move through them pretty quickly. I suppose it does help that most of my locations are small rural stations.
Tried to snap photos really quick whenever a customer was there and cropped her out of a couple when I got home.
I always take a few extra random shots just in case. Once you get the hang of the shop, you can move through them pretty quickly. I suppose it does help that most of my locations are small rural stations.
Most of the clerks hide trying to get out of view of the camera. I do have a couple of stores where the clerks like to pose. In one shot all four of them got in it. I did manage to get a shot of the counter. I use that one and then if they ask for the clerk I send that one.
My problem was one I did the other day the client wanted no cars or no people. No cars at a service station. I work at gettting no folks in the photos but if I tried to get no photos with no cars I would be there an extra 10 or fifteen minutes at some places. Then there is the employees stepping outside for a smoke. Oh boy.
My problem was one I did the other day the client wanted no cars or no people. No cars at a service station. I work at gettting no folks in the photos but if I tried to get no photos with no cars I would be there an extra 10 or fifteen minutes at some places. Then there is the employees stepping outside for a smoke. Oh boy.
I have heard that if a vest photo is required and you don't submit one, they do not accept the shop, so be sure to take the vest photo. And don't try to use an old photo, since they want identifying features from the station in the pix. I've been doing the yellow and red station for years, but this round has gotten crazy with all the questions and additional info. The gas reimbursement is nice, but the reports and photos are taking me a lot longer than before.
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The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
I am glad I am not the only one thinking the extra has gone crazy. I have a couple of photos of the vest in my car window because that was the only place I could take it. I also explained to them the reason for this. The camera flash hides my face so they cannot see anything except my shirt and somtimes not even that. I have submitted several with only my shoulders because the mirror was so high.
I am sure the computer will throw out a photo not taken in seqence with the other photos. The conputer can also red flag old photos trying to passed as current.
An extra 5 to 10 minutes added if you have a site with expired materials.
I am sure the computer will throw out a photo not taken in seqence with the other photos. The conputer can also red flag old photos trying to passed as current.
An extra 5 to 10 minutes added if you have a site with expired materials.
Is anyone having trouble passing the test for the new round of gas shops? I am going to have to call. I can't see the photos well enough.
mawmaw26 Wrote:
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> Is anyone having trouble passing the test for the
> new round of gas shops? I am going to have to
> call. I can't see the photos well enough.
That was my problem also. I could not tell on the photos what I was supposed to be looking at because they were not clear. Also there was one question that the right answer seemed like the wrong answer.
I guess the teacher comes out in me. If you are going to ask a question ask it straight out and not try to trick the test taker.
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> Is anyone having trouble passing the test for the
> new round of gas shops? I am going to have to
> call. I can't see the photos well enough.
That was my problem also. I could not tell on the photos what I was supposed to be looking at because they were not clear. Also there was one question that the right answer seemed like the wrong answer.
I guess the teacher comes out in me. If you are going to ask a question ask it straight out and not try to trick the test taker.
If you have trouble once, don't re-attempt. After three times yu get locked out, and lately you could spend an hour on hold to talk to someone at a given program at Maritz. I got booted from the whole program (and no one would visit with me about it,) after I got locked out and missed a green-sign shop.
I called and got the test taken care of. I printed the test and she went over the questions with me.
Although I tangled once with an editor about her rudeness I have had very good relations with Maritz. The pay isn't great as it takes me about 25 to 35 minutes for the shop and at least as long to upload (haven't figured how to upload as quick as another person stated). If you have to travel a ways though, at least one scheduler will help with an incentive. I started with them early on and they have been very helpful. I will do shops for them anytime if I can get a few other shops near where they need them.
Maybe this will help. Rename and resize your photos and place them in a folder on your desktop. The online report might take 10 minutes. When you submit at the end of the report the photo page comes up. The photos might take 5 minutes to click into place. It works for me...
Shopping Bama and parts of Georgia.
I'm still learning 24/7.
I'm still learning 24/7.
When you rename, do you put the wave number on the photo? I have been doing that since I started. Two weeks ago I put one set of wave numbers on the wrong shop report and told them about it. I don't remember if they replyed or not. I did it again a couple of days later and this time didn't say anthing about it and neither did they. I am beginning to wonder if it is even important.
I do the wave number and what it is.
Shopping Bama and parts of Georgia.
I'm still learning 24/7.
I'm still learning 24/7.
That is what I thought. I just thought it odd when I messed it up and they did not send it back for me to change the first time and didn't say anything about the second time. Then make a super big deal of the store address on the recipt not a match for the store address on the information sheet.
Deech Wrote:
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> When you rename, do you put the wave number on the
> photo? I have been doing that since I started.
> Two weeks ago I put one set of wave numbers on
> the wrong shop report and told them about it. I
> don't remember if they replyed or not. I did it
> again a couple of days later and this time didn't
> say anthing about it and neither did they. I am
> beginning to wonder if it is even important.
I don't even put anything regarding the location or wave. All of my gas photos get stored under fairly descriptive names: "MID", "bollard", "canopydamage", etc. For my records, they get stored in my monthly folder, sorted by shopping company and client.
-------------------------------------------------------
> When you rename, do you put the wave number on the
> photo? I have been doing that since I started.
> Two weeks ago I put one set of wave numbers on
> the wrong shop report and told them about it. I
> don't remember if they replyed or not. I did it
> again a couple of days later and this time didn't
> say anthing about it and neither did they. I am
> beginning to wonder if it is even important.
I don't even put anything regarding the location or wave. All of my gas photos get stored under fairly descriptive names: "MID", "bollard", "canopydamage", etc. For my records, they get stored in my monthly folder, sorted by shopping company and client.
zlinedavid Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Deech Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > When you rename, do you put the wave number on
> the
> > photo? I have been doing that since I
> started.
> > Two weeks ago I put one set of wave numbers on
> > the wrong shop report and told them about it.
> I
> > don't remember if they replyed or not. I did
> it
> > again a couple of days later and this time
> didn't
> > say anthing about it and neither did they. I
> am
> > beginning to wonder if it is even important.
>
>
> I don't even put anything regarding the location
> or wave. All of my gas photos get stored under
> fairly descriptive names: "MID", "bollard",
> "canopydamage", etc. For my records, they get
> stored in my monthly folder, sorted by shopping
> company and client.
It seems when I first started doing the gas stations I saw somewhere to put the wave number and description on the photo. It has not been a time waster except when the groceries got so nit pickey. I have at least 10-12 extra photos because of all the no answers and then to tag them. When I goofed with the wave number and nothing was said I began to wonder. Thanks
-------------------------------------------------------
> Deech Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > When you rename, do you put the wave number on
> the
> > photo? I have been doing that since I
> started.
> > Two weeks ago I put one set of wave numbers on
> > the wrong shop report and told them about it.
> I
> > don't remember if they replyed or not. I did
> it
> > again a couple of days later and this time
> didn't
> > say anthing about it and neither did they. I
> am
> > beginning to wonder if it is even important.
>
>
> I don't even put anything regarding the location
> or wave. All of my gas photos get stored under
> fairly descriptive names: "MID", "bollard",
> "canopydamage", etc. For my records, they get
> stored in my monthly folder, sorted by shopping
> company and client.
It seems when I first started doing the gas stations I saw somewhere to put the wave number and description on the photo. It has not been a time waster except when the groceries got so nit pickey. I have at least 10-12 extra photos because of all the no answers and then to tag them. When I goofed with the wave number and nothing was said I began to wonder. Thanks
I do recall the need for a wave number being expressed years ago, but don't recall seeing that now. Anything that can shave off even a little time helps.
Shelly Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I do recall the need for a wave number being
> expressed years ago, but don't recall seeing that
> now. Anything that can shave off even a little
> time helps.
When nothing was said about the wrong wave numbers on the photos I began to wonder if they were important. To get into the evaluation the safety code has to be correct. They don't fix anything they send it back to us and I did not get it back. In fact I noticed under one set of photos I downloaded the wave number or the tag was on there with each photo.
You are right anything extra we don't have to put on the report saves time.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I do recall the need for a wave number being
> expressed years ago, but don't recall seeing that
> now. Anything that can shave off even a little
> time helps.
When nothing was said about the wrong wave numbers on the photos I began to wonder if they were important. To get into the evaluation the safety code has to be correct. They don't fix anything they send it back to us and I did not get it back. In fact I noticed under one set of photos I downloaded the wave number or the tag was on there with each photo.
You are right anything extra we don't have to put on the report saves time.
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