I did an upscale chocolate shop for the company that pays in Euros. The reimbursement covers a smallish box of chocolate plus a small payment. I try to do these when they come around because I like the chocolate. Anyway. I did one last Wednesday, no problems. I did another on Friday, different location, and the same associate was behind the counter, recognized me immediately. I figured I'd go through with it anyway - I told her (truthfully) that the other locatoin is close to my office, but this one is on my way home. Picked out a box, and when I went to pay, she confirmed my email (as she had done on the prior visit). She then said that I had a birthday reward and apologized for not telling me on the earlier visit. I asked what the reward was, and she said it was the same box I was holding, so she just rang it up as a reward. She gave me the receipt anyway.

I immediately (Friday afternoon) emailed the scheduler to explain and asked what to do. I heard nothing until the wee hours of Monday morning when I was told to submit the shop - if approved, I would get the payment but obviously no reimbursement. By then my brain was saying "Hey! That candy was free! Why should they get a report out of it?" I know that's petty but it's the principle. I wrote back asking if I could re-shop instead.

The scheduler wrote back late last night saying that they didn't want a reshop in case I ran into the same associate yet again, and I should just submit as is.

I want to keep goodwill with the company but I still feel weird about it. Thoughts on this? Am I just being petty? The report is straightforward and not very long and I should probably just do it.

You should have purchased a second box.

Agree with Bayshopper. I would have said thanks for the free box. Now I can afford to treat my spouse/child/parent/friend too.

You got a great idea here for if this situation occurs again. This forum is great for ideas. You could just finish up that transaction, and return a short time later (if it's in a mall, you can just circle back)
and redo the shop. We do need these back up plans in our heads. I find it hard to think on my feet.

You did the right thing by asking the scheduler.
At this point, I would just submit the report and get the small payment.

Yes, thank you - great ideas, all. I didn't think fast enough!!! I was already stressed about having the same sales associate twice in a row, and got a little tongue-tied when she handed me the receipt. I'll know for next time. Still deciding what to do here, but @Prince is probably right and I should just report it and get the small fee.

We all have these "suck it up" moments.


I got pretty flustered on the old DQ shops where the sales associate would tell me I'd save money with a combo, but I had to say no, I want the items all seperate lol. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2025 07:49PM by prince.

Yes, report the shop just to stay in the graces of the MSC. You will lose out on a box of chocolate now, but it's better than risking losing out on many more in the future.

On the cool, the MSC should reimburse you for what the chocolates would have cost, but that is not going to happen. Not because they are evil per se, but because that is just too small a matter for them to hassle with.

Happy birthday.

I went on a reimbursement only restaurant shop once and had a terrible experience and the entire meal was comped (it was only $30). I knew that the restaurant would know that I was the shopper if I had reported it, so I was able to reschedule the shop. If I had not been able to reschedule, I would have submitted the report to stay in good graces with the company.

In this case, the "terrible experience" was the shop to report. Assuming the restaurant is the client, they will learn about each report - good and bad. Since the restaurant was writing off the meal, some record of that might be a part of their internal process as well.

It would be biased to reschedule. The graces of the MSC should not be relevant to -or more significant than- reporting the actual experience of the shop. Your honesty via the report, about the meal being comped, is a positive reflection on you.

@gigishopper wrote:

I went on a reimbursement only restaurant shop once and had a terrible experience and the entire meal was comped (it was only $30). I knew that the restaurant would know that I was the shopper if I had reported it, so I was able to reschedule the shop. If I had not been able to reschedule, I would have submitted the report to stay in good graces with the company.

It has already happened, you may as well just make the best out of it - by submitting the report so you get that money to cover your gas, on top of that turning your regular work-home trip into a business trip and claim milage deduction during tax period

Due to the circumstance of what happened, I checked with the MS company and they agreed to reschedule. The restaurant and MS company were both local. I'd rather not describe any of it here, but it involved a medical emergency that happened during the shop. Trust me, they already knew what happened and didn't need a shop report. The manager comped our meal due to the circumstances .

@QualityDatais1st wrote:

In this case, the "terrible experience" was the shop to report. Assuming the restaurant is the client, they will learn about each report - good and bad. Since the restaurant was writing off the meal, some record of that might be a part of their internal process as well.

It would be biased to reschedule. The graces of the MSC should not be relevant to -or more significant than- reporting the actual experience of the shop. Your honesty via the report, about the meal being comped, is a positive reflection on you.

@gigishopper wrote:

I went on a reimbursement only restaurant shop once and had a terrible experience and the entire meal was comped (it was only $30). I knew that the restaurant would know that I was the shopper if I had reported it, so I was able to reschedule the shop. If I had not been able to reschedule, I would have submitted the report to stay in good graces with the company.

Yes.

The “pays in Euros” company is very nice, though. I like the way they communicate in a down-to-earth manner.

I had a similar experience last year where I tripped and fell going into a restaurant to do a shop. The manager comped my meal. I contacted the scheduler and we agreed she would assign to someone else. Then, on another shop, I had a good samaritan who paid for my meal! I was able to get it rescheduled for the following week.

@kisekinecro wrote:

It has already happened, you may as well just make the best out of it - by submitting the report so you get that money to cover your gas, on top of that turning your regular work-home trip into a business trip and claim milage deduction during tax period

Good point! Unfortunately I walked (I'm in NYC) so no mileage but good to keep in mind nonetheless.

This is kind of like the chinese fast food shops. I have bonus points saved with them (taken off the receipt and put into the app) where I have a free app, small entree, etc waiting. Or a birthday freebie waiting. I do the job and order as required, a plate or bowl. After I check out, I circle back and do a new order which is primarily just getting my free items from the app. Sometimes, after check out with receipt in hand, I say I have forgotten I have a free appetizer, and can I scan my code now? Usually it is a yes.

Also, I have done Home Goods, Van's, Honeybaked Ham, and Duluth Trading for free items.

Any hints at the Mystery shopping company that offers home goods?

I haven't seen Duluth shops for a long time. My husband needs me boxers too...

I haven't seen one either. I believe the last one was a year ago.

Hone Goods filed chapter 13 last year and haven't done any since. Haven't seen Duluth in about 8 months.

Maybe I need to revisit Sees Candy. My only exposure was when I worked at the bank and we ordered gift boxes of Sees for clients (I worked in wealth management). I am more of a peanut M&M/KitKat gal.

I see them about twice a year but have never done one as I avoid sugar

I have experienced this situation twice On the first shop, I contacted the MSC, Strategic Reflections, and was informed I should explain what occurred and submit the report. For the second such visit, the MSC paid a flat sum, from which i handled the bill, BUT, I still needed a receipt. Fortunately, I had an excellent relationship with the MSC, J.C. & Associates, and the owner believed me.