@Morledzep wrote:

Here is what I see in the guidelines and questionnaire.

3. In Produce, Meat, and the Deli someone is suppose notice you and greet you with a smile. I can't find where it says that they are supposed eavesdrop on your conversation with another customer, or ask you what you're having for dinner.

Do all of you have these requirements somewhere in writing? Please show me and tell me where you found it.

You are correct. There is nothing about the associates eavesdropping on customer conversations. However, as an example, page 2 and 12 of the new Instructions / Questionnaire talk about "Helpful". Page 2, Produce Associate Interaction - Helpful actually mentions, "Associate...ask what you are preparing for dinner..." I feel bad for the Produce Associates because they are focused on stocking. For Meat and Deli Associates it makes more sense. They are service departments.

I'm glad the "Physical descriptions" are gone! Trying to decide if those seven unruly hairs sticking out of a guys chin constituted a "beard" or not will never again be a worry for me. LOL!

Oh my goodness, eavesdropping is listening in on a private conversation. If three people are standing in a loose circle and two of them are in casual conversation loudly enough for all to hear and while facing the third, that third person is welcome to join. It's implied by open body positioning, volume, and subject matter. If two people are whispering with their heads together, obviously the associate should stay out of that

I feel better about failing them if I am sure they were aware of my presence and still ignored me. If you would rather just stand there or silently examine produce? Do that. I wasn't saying you have to make sure they are aware of you, only sharing that I feel better if I give them as much room to succeed as I can.

Bottom line is being supportive of the client's objectives means checking for what they want to happen whether you want the same or not. If it makes you too uncomfortable to do that, the job is not a good fit.

It seems obvious to me that they want the produce associate looking around while they work, checking for people who need help. They want them engaging in casual conversation with customers who show openness to that. The examples are meant to convey depth of interaction, it's not a script.

I noticed a few more differences in the new guidelines, beyond what has already been mentioned here. Unless this was something that I accidentally missed in the past, I don't remember ever having to check for toilet paper, the condition of the toilets, etc. And, I like the addition of the new checkmarks for the reasons on why I could not get a name. Some of the counters are too high, and unless I am on my tiptoes, leaning over the top of them, with my eyes zoomed in on the front of the employee's apron (all of which would appear to be insane by the staffer); then there is no way for me to get an exact name half the time!

Seems Deedeethoughts is creating a situation to garner attention rather than observing as a shopper shopping alone as per guidelines would do in a normal situation, As an older married gentleman I have no intention of approaching other shoppers in stores most of whom are younger and female to start a conversation loud enough to be overheard to prompt an associate to offer help. That is not something I naturally do and I believe the purpose is to create a normal shop situation rather than a fabricated and unnatural situation. I am a long time shopper and never have been encouraged on any shop to engage with other shoppers to help an employee get a better score due to my conversation with another customer. I would not even approach a female my age and try to start asking about some produce to be overheard. Nowhere in the guidelines does it suggest or advocate that. If the employee does not say anything to me standing within 6 feet so be it. Not going to try approaching other shoppers making a fool of myself starting a conversation loud enough to attract employee reaction. I see nothing that suggests that be done. If others want to do it please do but I will not. Shopping is not a social event. I think the deli and meat counter scenarios are relatively easy as nearly always if I stand at the counter I am greeted and offered help. If the produce person does not speak to me so be it. That is what I will report.

@LindaS wrote:

Lady, you are right. It does not say this anywhere in the new instructions. Instead, it was in the email I got from the scheduler letting us know when the shops would be released. Morledzep quoted what was stated in the email about the shop being rejected. In addition, that bullet point started with, "Get all required associate names." which was bolded and about twice the size of any of the rest of the bullet point headers.

I believe I've only seen pieces and quotes from that particular scheduler's email. But that the scheduler said, "if they aren't wearing a name tag, it's on them." The quote that I saw did NOT say that the shop would be rejected. And the INSTRUCTIONS are the rules for the shop, not what the scheduler puts in an email, or what shoppers think it means.

@LindaS wrote:

You are correct. There is nothing about the associates eavesdropping on customer conversations. However, as an example, page 2 and 12 of the new Instructions / Questionnaire talk about "Helpful". Page 2, Produce Associate Interaction - Helpful actually mentions, "Associate...ask what you are preparing for dinner..." I feel bad for the Produce Associates because they are focused on stocking. For Meat and Deli Associates it makes more sense. They are service departments.

The instructions say, "Helpful: Associate should demonstrate a willingness to assist ( e.g., guide you to an item,
ask what you a re preparing for dinner, help you select the best item for an event, let you
know they are available in case you need assistance , etc.).

This does not mean that they are supposed to listen to any conversation you may or maynot be having with another person. This also does not mean they are supposed to blurt out a question with no relevance. They are supposed to greet you, with eye contact and a smile. You should say something nice back. They also, quite often, ask if there is anything they can help you find. THAT is what "helpful" is. They MAY ask what you're cooking for dinner if you ask for a specific item, but they are more likely to ask what you're planning on doing with that specific item.

Do you people actually talk to other people in real life?

Shar,

I generally check the toilets by going to use the restroom.. I notice all of the things that don't work or aren't there. And you're right, the previous questionaire didn't give us an option for the toilet paper, soap, and paper towel dispensers being empty. These are welcome changes, at least to me.

That is something that I always check for on restaurant shops, but it is definitely a new requirement for a grocery store.

The restroom check isn't new. The details are new.

The timing of when to check the bathroom is also new. I usually would swing by there at the end of my visit, unless it was located near the deli/meat section.

@Shar27 wrote:

The timing of when to check the bathroom is also new. I usually would swing by there at the end of my visit, unless it was located near the deli/meat section.

I think that is so they know what time it was marked as having a problem. Your arrival time is in your report but the time you checked the restroom isn't. I feel like a lot of the changes are to reduce the need for follow up questions. I am strongly in favor of that.

Checking the restroom before shopping is fine, I don't always feel the need to go when I arrive, but there are precious few times during the day when I'm unable to. I guess there are strange and unusual advantages to being old..

It occurred to me that an arrival check also prevents them quickly checking for cleanliness if they realize the shopper has arrived

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/31/2026 02:10AM by Deedeezthoughts.

Dee,

I don't think they pay that much attention to folks arriving. And I've used the restroom much later in my shop to find it a terrible mess.

@Morledzep wrote:

Dee,

I don't think they pay that much attention to folks arriving. And I've used the restroom much later in my shop to find it a terrible mess.

I don't either. They would be on their very best behavior if they suspected and that is... not the case. But, I see so many posts where people say that they know that the associate knows and everyone pretends. Pictures posted in back rooms and such. Perhaps they think this is a possibility.

Two of the Krogers I evaluate have 2 restrooms one near the pharmacy and a larger one near the deli dept. I typically check only one.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/31/2026 03:15AM by OldmanJames.

My first shop is tomorrow... ugh, so do we have to get the names or we can just give a reason on why we cannot get the names? like the associate is not wearing a name tag or the name tag is covered by an apron, etc?

It's quicker to get the names than type out an excuse.

imdastyle,

READ the instructions.. everything you need to know is there, and there is a copy of the questionaire so you can see how you want or need to answer the questions.

That's true. But, sometimes they don't even wear the name tags tho... wouldn't it be weird to ask for their names

Yes, I have read the guidelines and questionaires... but on the email, it says we are required to get their names or the shop will be rejected...

Emails are not the guidelines.. in the email it says that if they're not wearing a name tag that is on them. And it says nowhere in the instructions or in the copy of the questionnaire that you have to ask for a name.

go ahead do it, ask everybody for their names. You'll be excluded from doing Kroger shops inside of a month or two. Would that make you happier?

Stop making things more difficult than they have to be. Stop reading crap into things that aren't there. All you're doing is making everything more difficult for yourself.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/2026 08:13AM by Morledzep.

Although the email from my scheduler clearly said shops will be rejected if you do not get a name the report does give reasons why I could not get the name. What I will do is take notes as to the description of the employee who did not wear a tag in case I am questioned about the interaction. I will also take notes as to what any employee who does not ask me what I am making for dinner, etc is doing which prevented the interaction which will likely be the case with produce employees who are busy stocking rather than chatting with customers. I do not foresee issues in meat or deli with the interaction as they are service depts and most times as I approach and stand I am asked what I need. Have never been asked what I am making for dinner in many years both on shops and on my own.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/2026 04:13PM by OldmanJames.

@OldmanJames wrote:

Although the email from my scheduler clearly said shops will be rejected if you do not get a name the report does give reasons why I could not get the name. What I will do is take notes as to the description of the employee who did not wear a tag in case I am questioned about the interaction. I will also take notes as to what any employee who does not ask me what I am making for dinner, etc is doing which prevented the interaction which will likely be the case with produce employees who are busy stocking rather than chatting with customers. I do not foresee issues in meat or deli with the interaction as they are service depts and most times as I approach and stand I am asked what I need. Have never been asked what I am making for dinner in many years both on shops and on my own.

Yes! This! The email clearly said the shops will be rejected...
Hence, I was unsure.. just trying to be on the safe side.

I completed 2 Kroger shops today and, in my opinion, the report has been changed to the positive; there should be no worry.

This edit is a recommendation to read and adhere to Morled's above post; she "hit the nail on the head."

They lied to us to string us along. Those were the only shops worth doing .

ok, I'll bite, Tell us how Kroger strung you along. As independent contractor mystery shoppers we shouldn't be getting any instructions or offers directly from Kroger, we should only get guidelines/instructions from the MSC. And I've done these same grocery shops at Kroger working for nearly 14 years. With one company for almost 10 years and the current company for 3 or 4 years. The instructions and guidelines have always been clear, you check what you're supposed to check, talk to whom you're supposed to talk to, then you buy 3+ things for more than $9 and leave.

ANYONE can do them if they just follow the instructions, and don't read extra stuff into the rules.

At the end of last years cycle; we were promised in an email that all the shops would come back February 1st.

I **think** the other poster means the MSC led us to believe the online pick up & fuel were coming back in an attempt to get people to keep doing the regular shops to 'maintain their relationship' with the MSC.

To each their own. Some are happy with just in store, some are not....
I won't go out of my way to do just the in store and the closest Kroger is about 45 minutes from me so only when I'm already there for something else.

@Morledzep wrote:

ok, I'll bite, Tell us how Kroger strung you along. As independent contractor mystery shoppers we shouldn't be getting any instructions or offers directly from Kroger, we should only get guidelines/instructions from the MSC. And I've done these same grocery shops at Kroger working for nearly 14 years. With one company for almost 10 years and the current company for 3 or 4 years. The instructions and guidelines have always been clear, you check what you're supposed to check, talk to whom you're supposed to talk to, then you buy 3+ things for more than $9 and leave.

ANYONE can do them if they just follow the instructions, and don't read extra stuff into the rules.