1. Forums
  2. Mystery Shopping Discussion

Pumps on, station closed

January 03, 2026 03:38AM
So i have come across these before and i marked them as closed but apparently they are considered open if the pumps are on. So how do i fill out the report? It is all dark, are those all infractions? I might just go back another day but earlier. I passed 2 other mobils like this as well though. Im confused.
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.

January 03, 2026 03:46AM
Infractions....




@Datagirl wrote:

So i have come across these before and i marked them as closed but apparently they are considered open if the pumps are on. So how do i fill out the report? It is all dark, are those all infractions? I might just go back another day but earlier. I passed 2 other mobils like this as well though. Im confused.
Reply
January 03, 2026 03:50AM
It depends on the station.. Some stations are closed if you can't buy anything inside, but other insist that they station is open if you can buy gas. And around here, most of the stations leave their pumps on after the C-store closes, but they turn out all of the lights. What the company wants, if they consider it open if the pumps are on, they want all of the pictures, in the dark. It's what they are looking for. They want to know that the station is leaving the pumps on with the lights out. I don't know if it's a bad thing or a good thing as far as the company is concerned, but they DO want to know.
Reply
January 03, 2026 09:45AM
What report? You mentioned Mobil but those jobs don't start till 1/5. Different brands have different guidelines on how to proceed with the shop or not.
Reply
January 03, 2026 11:41AM
@sestrahelena wrote:

What report? You mentioned Mobil but those jobs don't start till 1/5. Different brands have different guidelines on how to proceed with the shop or not.

Dark aidits for BP.
Reply
January 03, 2026 01:41PM
This is the MSC's unwritten, but non-negotiable, rule on this: The corporate website's status for the location is the only valid way to determine whether or not the pumps or station are open. Even when it's obviously wrong. The station must show on the website as either open 24 hours or have the phrase, "24 hour pay at the pump." If it's desolate, dark and non-functional, but the website says it's open, then it's open. If the place is brightly lit and buzzing with business but the website shows hours that do not include the hour you're there, do not shop. You will not be paid.

Common sense is not a factor on determining open/closed status for this MSC. They're entirely dependent on oft-faulty internet info.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2026 01:42PM by sestrahelena.
Reply
January 03, 2026 08:38PM
I believe sestra mentioned this helpful comment before, a few months ago; If the website says it's open, it's OPEN for the lighting audit. During the last round of Mobil audits, I encountered a location that was obviously CLOSED. Pitch black, no lights at all, pumps not operable. BUT corporate website says they're open 24 hours. I completed the audit with all the infractions noted. Shop was ACCEPTED and paid. However, about a month later, I received an email stating the shop was EXCLUDED but I can keep payment. That's the MSC problem, not mine. I should be thankful they didn't claw back payment?

Just take a lot of photos for back up when they claim you missed an infraction. For Mobil, I think there was a comment box where I noted the website saying 24hrs. I've noticed the current Bp doesn't have a comment box.
Reply
January 03, 2026 09:42PM
It depends on the guidelines. Some are straightforward, and others are sketchy.

@Datagirl wrote:

So i have come across these before and i marked them as closed but apparently they are considered open if the pumps are on. So how do i fill out the report? It is all dark, are those all infractions? I might just go back another day but earlier. I passed 2 other mobils like this as well though. Im confused.
Reply
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login