Just curious. I only shop the Chevron Customer First shops. Why do the Chevron shops fly off the board, while the ampm shops linger forever? The ampm shops start at a higher base rate too. I have never done theampm shops. Thanks.

I don't understand the fascination with Customer First shops. And I really hate having to explain to gas station owners the difference between Customer First shops and Image Audits. Yesterday I had two different shop owners say that someone was already there this week, when I've had all these shops scheduled for 2 or 3 weeks.

@Morledzep wrote:

I don't understand the fascination with Customer First shops. And I really hate having to explain to gas station owners the difference between Customer First shops and Image Audits. Yesterday I had two different shop owners say that someone was already there this week, when I've had all these shops scheduled for 2 or 3 weeks.

I don't do audits. The time spent does not meet my needs.

Only 10-20% of my shops get revealed. The rest are done in about 10 minutes. I can enter a non-revealed shop on my Mac in about 4-5 minutes max.

One can either be a Customer First or Image shopper. You can switch from one to the other by appealing to the project leader. My guess is that there are more Customer First personnel that consider them quick easy shops. The Image shoppers know that if they wait, they can probably get a higher fee.

@Morledzep wrote:

I don't understand the fascination with Customer First shops. And I really hate having to explain to gas station owners the difference between Customer First shops and Image Audits. Yesterday I had two different shop owners say that someone was already there this week, when I've had all these shops scheduled for 2 or 3 weeks.

For me it's mainly the make an appointment thing. I try to stay away from any type of shop with a narrow window, unless the pay is worth it. And from what I see on the board, the image shops don't get that much higher.

@Morledzep wrote:

I don't understand the fascination with Customer First shops.

Easiest of any gas brand shop.

Total time per is about 20 minutes including prep and reporting. So $25.50 per hour @ base pay + gas reimbursement = I'll grab every one I can as soon as I can.

My only hope is they stay on SASSIE where advanced scheduling is more shopper friendly.

@Momomomo wrote:

One can either be a Customer First or Image shopper.

Not the question. (The other poster was telling me why she likes image vs customer first - also not my question ..)

I'm wondering why Chevron mystery shop is more appealing than ampm mystery shop.

LOL Bay, I haven't seen an AM/PM in nearly 10 years. From what I've seen on here, the AM/PM shops seem to be very similar to Circle K shops that used to be on Presto. Not sure if that helps much.

@Morledzep wrote:

LOL Bay, I haven't seen an AM/PM in nearly 10 years. From what I've seen on here, the AM/PM shops seem to be very similar to Circle K shops that used to be on Presto. Not sure if that helps much.

Ok good to know.

There are both shops on the board at the same time here. Same MSC. San Francisco Bay Area. I thought that somebody here might be doing them. I'd have to search to see where else the ampm shops are showing up. Maybe it is just here?

I wish I could be more help, I'm not CA people anymore.

I have to expand my perimeter into hundreds of miles to see both. I've only done ampm so I have no basis for comparison. Around here, the pay is OK for what is required but it isn't enough to do the job as a standalone. I picked up three early AM shops when they were bonused and near each other, at least, but one of the three had a very challenging site photo requirement because it was perched at the edge of an on ramp with tall signage and nowhere to pull off for the required photo. I got it done but I can imagine someone abandoning all three tasks if that was their first visit and they were getting base pay

I've done both Chevron and AM/PM. I vastly prefer Chevron. Marathon (AM/PM) is a pain to work with. They push back nearly every time I report anything remotely negative. For instance, when I answer truthfully that a restroom was closed or there weren't any hot food items, I will almost certainly get a follow-up response that Marathon spoke with a store rep who claims the restroom WAS open and there WERE hot food items. I'm sure a nervous employee might've claimed those things when confronted, but they aren't true. Nevertheless, I'm then stuck in a loop of he said/she said correspondences for about a week before the shop is ultimately approved. It's nice that Marathon has faith in their employees but I'm just doing my job too. I have no reason to lie about the availability of a restroom or a hot food item. Frankly, my stomach plunges when a restroom IS is closed or hot food items AREN'T available because I know Marathon will inevitably argue with the negative findings on my report. I've never had issues with Chevron reacting defensively to my reports even on the rare occasions when I've had extremely negative experiences. So now I only do AM/PM when I'm desperately in need of extra cash. Otherwise, they're not worth the trouble. Not sure why Marathon invests in mystery shops when they clearly don't want to hear any feedback that is remotely negative.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/13/2025 03:01PM by whataboutpromblaine.

I'll do Marathons but only if they happen to be on an existing route and they are nicely bonused.

Way more work at base pay compared to Customer First, and the fact I don't get any free gas is an issue.