Would you do a gas station audit without a letter of authorization? The shop requires you to take pictures outside and inside the store. They tell you to do this covertly. The employee and manager must not know you're doing this. Would you do this shop?

yes, for the right amount of money or gasoline. Sounds like a Circle K shop the way you're describing it actually. It's a pretty simple shop, you get gas, you buy something inside, take a pic of the bathroom, the coolers, the soda fountain, the front of the store, and any "infractions." And it's not an audit, it's a mystery shop.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/28/2023 10:30PM by Morledzep.

I did one of these shops and was asked by the manager to leave. I could not finish the shop. I was told I need a LOA to take pictures. They have other shops for these same stations, and you have LOA. The shop only pays $12 fee and $6 for purchase.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/28/2023 10:40PM by johnb974.

Nope

Sure, if the pay is enough to cover the risk of not getting paid.

I have done several gas station shops without telling anyone why or what i was doing.

I regularly do this shop. I don't have any locations near my house, so I do not do them for base pay. Prices tend to jump quickly with them, so I try to time my routes once they are at $15 or more. I have done them for as much as $40, though normally I don't see them that high.

You have to be careful with the bathroom picture because that is where you are vulnerable to either a) Get seen by a customer or employee that comes into the restroom just as you are snapping a picture or b) Be seen in the mirror in your snapped picture, which will get your shop rejected. The required pictures inside the store are never a problem. If it is a small store, I wait until the clerk(s) are distracted with customers, then snap away. I might duck down behind an end cap to snap some of the pictures. I don't worry about not having a LOA. I do plenty of orange app jobs that are mystery shops with required photos. I take entire pictures of aisles at times. As with any job, if a manager or other employee asks you to leave, then leave. Submit what you have and explain it in the report.

Truly, most people, including employees, are not watching what you are doing. People take pictures of anything and everything anymore. The more nervous you are, the more likely you are going to look like you are doing something nefarious. Know what pictures you need and what to look for, be ready to snap fast. I find it helpful to get the inside the store pictures first, then go to the restroom to make sure the pictures from inside the store are clear. Then, I just need the restroom picture. Some locations I do are single restrooms so that is easy. If multiple people can use the restroom, I put my back against the door to block someone from just barging in and catching me. I only need one or two seconds to ensure I have a good photo.

If you are ever outright caught taking pictures anywhere, have a canned answer ready to go. This should include a reasonable excuse, followed by a compliment or some other distraction. For example, "Oh, I am sorry. I leave reviews on Google for stores that I visit, and I like to have a couple of photos to put with my review. I hope it is okay that I leave a good review." This statement has a hint of truth to it, but you've not told them THE truth. Add a smile and make eye contact when you say it, and you'll be good to go. Nobody will ask you to leave. Importantly, nobody will think you are a shopper because you've stayed calm and sounded truthful. Remember, though, the goal is to not get caught at all. Just know that in the rare instance you do, there are ways to salvage the shop, get paid, and not have the police called on you.

I don't want to give too much of this story away, but I did one maybe a year ago where the men's restroom was closed, and a sign directed me to use the women's restroom which had temporary converted to being unisex. I had to go to the opposite side of the store to find the other restroom. When I get there, the main door to the restroom is propped open. There was a sign on the door that stated the restroom was operating as a unisex restroom. There appeared to be a couple of women in there, so I waited outside. While I waited, several women came and stood behind me. When the two women inside the restroom came out, I went in. The women behind me followed me in! Bazaar, but I rolled with it. Since the door was propped open, I locked myself in a stall for a few seconds to check the photos I had snapped in the main part of the store. To add to the drama, there were a couple of non-compliant issues, so I had to take several photos. I was very close to abandoning the whole thing because I thought there is no way I can get these pictures with people - women especially - coming into the restroom seeing me right there. Somehow, I managed to get everything I needed. Nobody saw me taking photos and nobody said anything. I need to come up with a good canned answer should I ever find myself in such a predicament again.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/29/2023 05:43AM by ServiceAward.

Hahahahaaaa good one, ServiceAward.

For a $12 fee and $6 for gas and a purchase, doing it covert....too much work for me for the low pay.

I know which ones you're doing now. No, I won't do those for any amount of money.

I would not do a covert photo audit for less than $25. I quit doing Circle K when they changed and added photo requirements to their mystery shops and kept the fee at $15.

What are Orange App Jobs?

I never heard of Orange App either.

i don’t do covert crap anymore. whenever i used to do those i felt some anxiety and stress. not a feeling i like to feel. you come to the realization that the pay isn’t nearly worth it.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/03/2023 04:57AM by jay225.

@sdbecker wrote:

What are Orange App Jobs?

Since no client has been named, I'll spill the beans that it's Field Agent.

@AZwolfman wrote:

I would not do a covert photo audit for less than $25. I quit doing Circle K when they changed and added photo requirements to their mystery shops and kept the fee at $15.

Are these the ones on the app with the "Hi there" gopher? Those never make it to $15 around me. They start at $5, go to $8 after a few days, to $10 after a few days more, maybe if you're lucky they get to $13 but they usually don't get that high because the bottom feeders have swarmed them by the time they get to $10.

Did them. Short term novelty. Franchised locations in more rural areas are notorious for being shabby. Increased infractions equal increased photos which equals increased risk of being outted as a shopper on site.

These are the easiest shops i have ever done. someone near me does these at $7 each which is laugbable. They get to $38 each so whoever in the San Antonio area who does tbese for $7-10 please stop lol.

As long as nobody claims it in the next 12 hours, I'm planning to grab one that is sitting at $25 now.

I have done a particular brand without incident. It requires a store front photo, restroom, cooler and beverage area. Then infractions like fuel pump bezel, food offerings, etc. All of these can be done discretely.

Thank you for being a mysteryshopforum participant. Unfortunately, your report is not accepted:

Submit a receipt you purchased fuel.

Submit a receipt of an item ourchased that could have been upsold.

You have 24 hours to do so, while I work on my tan here in Acapulco.

Besties!
ps...you cant correct me for a spelling error...because Besties are always rightsies.
(((Definately NOT quitting my day job)))

@whosear wrote:

I have done a particular brand without incident. It requires a store front photo, restroom, cooler and beverage area. Then infractions like fuel pump bezel, food offerings, etc. All of these can be done discretely.