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Firehouse subs shop

April 30, 2026 11:43PM
I completed this shop late this week. I did the terrible thing of mentioning a table that was still wrapped in cardboard and an old toaster oven that was visible in the dining area - but I didn’t have a photo of said “infraction”.

Editor sent it back, asking for the photo.

I had mentioned in the shop that I did not have a photo as I was next in line to order and taking a photo of these (directly across from the register) would have likely revealed me as a shopper. This was a non-revealed shop.

Editor declined the shop.

If I had simply removed the text about the table & toaster, I feel like this shop would have been accepted no issue.

I appealed the denial, but is there any chance it could possibly get overturned (and paid)? Is it worth my time pursuing it further than the first email back to them or just eat the cost as part of the business?
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May 01, 2026 12:06AM
If the instructions are not followed, they will not pay you. It's a hard lesson to learn, but as ShopperBob says, "It's just business!" I did one and I was on edge until it was approved.

Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.
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May 01, 2026 05:13AM
Why didn't you take a picture of the wrapped-in-cardboard table? Are you saying the table was or was not in the dining area? How are you able to tell the toaster oven is old and doesn't belong? If the table was in the dining area, then there is no reason you couldn't take a picture.

You were too finicky when it came to looking for issues. Nowhere in the guidelines does it say anything about old ovens or tables wrapped in cardboard. It does say this is NOT a white glove audit. I would've taken a couple of interior images and uploaded one as required. I think the comments are there to discuss food and service.
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May 01, 2026 11:37AM
I understand the sentiment but this isn’t my first rodeo, as it were. It just seems like many editors are very much stuck-in-the-mud and haven’t actually done any shopping themselves. Is a picture worth revealing the shopper status?
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May 01, 2026 11:40AM
What normal customer takes pictures of things in the dining room of any restaurant? That just screams “mystery shopper” and I don’t reveal myself. Ever. The rusted toaster oven and cardboard-wrapped table were on top of a seemingly otherwise-normal table in the dining area outside the kitchen prep area.
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May 01, 2026 12:09PM
MSCs often ask for photos that really can't be taken discretely. You just gotta do what you gotta do to get the fee. Also, we tend to be overly paranoid about other people seeing us take pics and thinking our cover is blown. They often don't notice or think much about it

I don't think there are any Russians / And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
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May 01, 2026 01:01PM
@jrich wrote:

What normal customer takes pictures of things in the dining room of any restaurant?

Plenty. People will post pictures of anything these days. See comments in other posts re: Google Guides (or something similar).

Have synthesizers, will travel...
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May 01, 2026 01:07PM
This one was so easy. Go to the restroom before you get in line. Then, while you are waiting for your order, you will have ample opportunity to do whatever you need to do. Check the guidelines, take photos, start filling in the report...
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May 01, 2026 03:07PM
If you describe exceptions to the standards in the questionainne in your narrative, you should provide proof in the form of pictures, if possible.
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May 01, 2026 04:01PM
I tend to video tape the beginning of shops like this. It’s easier to just start taping when I walk in the door. Then I can grab a screen shot of stuff later, without anyone noticing I was taping.
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May 01, 2026 04:36PM
@jrich wrote:

What normal customer takes pictures of things in the dining room of any restaurant? That just screams “mystery shopper” and I don’t reveal myself. Ever. The rusted toaster oven and cardboard-wrapped table were on top of a seemingly otherwise-normal table in the dining area outside the kitchen prep area.

Sorry, but this is on you since the toaster oven and cardboard-wrapped table were in the dining area. It doesn't seem like this is a difficult picture to take. You were obligated to take a picture of this. How did you get a picture of the menu board which is located behind the register and above the employees' heads if you are concerned about being outed? Same question about the interior pic the survey asked for.

Behavior that you believe "screams mystery shopper" is different from what the guidelines state "never reveal yourself as a mystery shopper" which would mean in part don't go to Firehouse Subs and scream "I am the mystery shopper." I believe you when you say this isn't your first rodeo, but your actions suggest otherwise.

To answer your original question. All you can do is wait to hear back about your appeal, but I wouldn't expect anything from them. Appeals typically go in a black hole. They don't have a great appeal process since they don't send you an email confirming receipt of the appeal, when you should hear back by, and what should you do if the deadline date passes. It is not worth pursuing further.

As @jgardn02 noted, if you cite exceptions to the standard in the evaluation, expect to provide pictures backing up your claim.
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