1. Forums
  2. Mystery Shopping Discussion

This is just weird.

August 08, 2024 03:27PM
Last night I went to a Mexican restaurant. Had to go to the bar and paid cash, I took a picture of the drink. Had dinner. Only wrote down very quickly the time it took for each course. Took a picture of the food.
The manager visits our table and I did not see him visit other tables. Asks us how everything was. This morning got a phone call and message asking how everything was last night,
That has never happened before.
I don't know if they call other people or I was spotted.
It's a restaurant that has a 180-day rotation, so I doubt they remember me from 6 months ago or maybe I was spotted last night.
Anyway, I thought it was very strange.
Reply
Log In
x

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Already a member? Log In.

August 08, 2024 03:34PM
Am I missing something? How are they going to call you? Did you leave your phone number? You live in a small town where everyone knows everyone? Even if you paid for dinner with CC...they cannot get your phone number that easily. I guess they could do like Terminator and look up every Sarah Connor in the phone book.

I'm missing how they knew your number. Unless you made a reservation and it had your phone number as part of the reservation.
Reply
August 08, 2024 03:50PM
When you go on a wait list they ask for your phone number and text you when your table is ready.
Reply
August 08, 2024 05:02PM
This doesn't seem strange to me. You were made.
Reply
August 08, 2024 08:16PM
The Bar portion was during Happy Hour and it was very busy. I don't think the bartender had time to even look up. He did ask if I wanted to start a tab and I told him I was going to pay cash, I paid fo rhte drink when the table was ready. They only left a message to call back which I am not doing. It did not sound automated. I really am not going to worry about it and will do it again in 6 months since the food was really good.
Reply
August 09, 2024 11:06PM
They have video cameras. I would expect them to be reviewing what's happening in real-time at a busy happy hour bar. They saw everything you did. If you were writing anything, that might have helped them make you.
Reply
August 10, 2024 09:15AM
"If you were writing anything, that might have helped them make you."
Why? Because no other patron ever uses their phone to text or look at the web? How would they know someone was taking notes?
Reply
August 10, 2024 11:14AM
Do you write outdated guidelines? Lol!
Seriously, do you LOOK at other people in public? How many are on their phones? Probably about 99%
Now if you pulled out a pencil & paper to write notes, then 1000000% you would look out of place, but EVERYONE is on their phone at bars!


@Susan L. wrote:

They have video cameras. I would expect them to be reviewing what's happening in real-time at a busy happy hour bar. They saw everything you did. If you were writing anything, that might have helped them make you.
Reply
August 10, 2024 02:16PM
@Tyrocker wrote:

"If you were writing anything, that might have helped them make you."
Why? Because no other patron ever uses their phone to text or look at the web? How would they know someone was taking notes?

You wrote "write/writing" when you probably meant "text/texting."

Still, some security cameras can zoom in to see exactly what you are texting, especially if it is over the bar where management is keeping an eye on the bartender and the cash. I suspect that if timings and names are being entered by a customer, managers would lavish attention on them even if they were not a shopper.

That's why lots of MS companies still advise against texting a lot while on a shop. I use my timestamp camera for timings and photos, and use my memory for bartender names.
Reply
August 10, 2024 02:27PM
I don't think the issue was at the bar. I did not write anything at the bar. Paid for the drink with cash and left.
At the table, I used a small notebook and only wrote down the times the entree, app, and dessert were delivered.
anyway, the shop was accepted and will move on to the next shop.
Reply
August 10, 2024 03:16PM
Let's see:

-Paid cash at bar
-Moved to table
-Ordered 3 courses
-Writing in notebook
-Photos of food and drink

I'm also guessing there were no after dinner drinks, to-go orders, shots ordered, etc.

How many other customers in the restaurant fit that scenario? If you were the manager there, wouldn't it be prudent to visit with anyone who did?

Part of the problem is that we are set up to be made with the scenarios we have to go through, but you were unquestionably suspected as the shopper as far as I am concerned.
Reply
August 10, 2024 03:31PM
It is almost impossible to follow all the requirements without being suspected. Although I see many people taking pictures of their food, it seems hard to take all of them without someone thinking that you must be the shopper. Afterall, they know they are going to be shopped and may even know the date the shopper will be there.
Reply
August 10, 2024 04:07PM
Actually Susan, the quote is exactly from what you wrote previously.
Reply
August 10, 2024 04:55PM
the notebook probably gave it away
Reply
August 10, 2024 05:07PM
It's possiblle, It is a small pad that I just write the times that the items arrive and the time. But as I said before, the shop was accepted.
Reply
August 10, 2024 05:28PM
@Insight wrote:

It's possiblle, It is a small pad that I just write the times that the items arrive and the time. But as I said before, the shop was accepted.

If you are just writing arrival times for items, and taking pics anyway, be sure your camera is time-stamping the pictures and you can refer to those...instead of having to write it down.
Reply
August 10, 2024 06:42PM
1000% don't EVER take out pen/ paper for notes. No one does that. Just use your phone.
That will out you every time.


@Insight wrote:

It's possiblle, It is a small pad that I just write the times that the items arrive and the time. But as I said before, the shop was accepted.
Reply
August 12, 2024 06:47PM
@viv0412 wrote:

1000% don't EVER take out pen/ paper for notes. No one does that. Just use your phone.
That will out you every time.


@Insight wrote:

It's possiblle, It is a small pad that I just write the times that the items arrive and the time. But as I said before, the shop was accepted.

Agreed. Download a note-taking app instead. Nowadays its normal to see people on their phones but whipping out a small notebook and pen...not so much.
Reply
August 13, 2024 12:41PM
@joanna81 wrote:



Agreed. Download a note-taking app instead. Nowadays its normal to see people on their phones but whipping out a small notebook and pen...not so much.

Totally...

I use the Exact Time app and screenshot all my timings, and input other pertinent info into Notes. Paper and pen stay in the car.

Have synthesizers, will travel...
Reply
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login