For clarification, I am in the UK.

I recently had a job for a grocery home delivery audit carried out by the company store itself. When I went to the door and began picking up the items the driver made a comment about how I "get paid and get to keep the stuff". Is my cover blown or how may they have known ?

Many thanks in advance for the advice,
Maxo

Many businesses mark shoppers in their computer system, after they get the reports and details that allow them to identify the shoppers.

It sure sounds like it!

It's no big deal. I find that when they suspect I'm the shopper I get much better service. But NEVER tell them that, and never admit it when they guess.

So last week I went to a place I have shopped three times before. Got the server I have had twice including on the last shop in March. He made a comment about my last visit being fun. I assume because I ripped him apart for poor service. So my mother (who had never been there before) commented that he knows. I said he might. Then we got terrible service. So if I were there shopping, he’d get an even worse report! I don’t know if he figured I couldn’t be shopping because of the time (we went for happy hour an hour earlier than shop period begins) but for the second time in a row, I was not greeted, no reminder of his name and he didn’t even give us menus. So service was awful before I ordered apps and burgers instead of the usual shop selection (HH apps with entrees plus drinks). When I asked for the happy hour menu (which changed since my last visit), he actually asked “Haven’t you memorized it?” SMH

So do I go again? I normally think I would not since it would not be normal service but I didn’t get better service this last time and question whether I would next time. Btw, there are only 2 servers I’ve seen at this place and they alternate bar and dining room coverage so it’s 50/50 that I’d get him. The other server is great.

I wouldn't go back again unless the pay was very good. But it's pretty obvious that he really doesn't know you're a shopper, or he would have done everything right. Or at least they usually do. I'm sure there are idiots out there that refuse to do their job correctly even when they know they are being shopped, but they are few and far between.

You could be flagged in the system, or the shop requirements may be so specific an alert employee can suss out who might be a shopper. They may not know for sure sure, but they suspect, and may be testing you out.

Imagine what he's doing to your food behind those kitchen doors if he's that hostile. I'd never go back. Trust me. I've seen it all.

Smile. I had my cover blown many times. I'm already known at certain spots. They know you know we all know. You play your game and I play mine. I betcha they checked the security cameras to figure out the shoppers. Once as I was walking in, I saw the manager leaving. I saw him scurry back inside to alert the staff. Another time more than 10 years ago, a young kid manager's face was like he saw a ghost. He knows the business messed up because the place was a pig pen. The restroom was dirty. Too late to correct that.

I just got home from a dinner shop. Terrible server. Plus the kitchen screwed up and made me the wrong app (2 with same protein and they misread it). Server told me that he was gonna ask the manager to take something off our check from that appetizer which sounds great. Except when I got the check, it included both appetizers and no deduction. So then the check was taken back and they took off the appetizer I had sent back and gave me a $20 credit. But I was using a loyalty reward (permitted on this shop) and then that would not go through because the $20 credit was put in as a coupon and you cannot use to coupon/discounts. Manager tries to convince me that I had not activated my reward and shows it to me on his screen. I finally figured out what he had done wrong so he then took the $20 credit off and deleted the appetizer. I get the new receipt and tender my credit card. The manager takes it back and then decides to comp two more items. So now my check comes back and does not show any appetizer or another required item. I also went from being right at my reimbursement as I planned it to now being $25 under while having a monster of a report to write. (I could have ordered more food!) Plus, we used my reward!

My guest thinks I’m now not going to be able to return even as a paying guest (we sometimes go for lunch or HH) for a long while. I’m not sure. The service staff has a quick turnover except for one server who has been there over 20 years. We haven’t had her for over a year. Manager told me he’s filling in from another state. Bartender was great and did everything right. So HH might be safe. Now I need to start that f’in report.

I would just include all those details about the check in your report. Also email the scheduler directly. I had a gift card for TRH, which you can use but the server rang it as a coupon, which you can not use. I emailed my scheduler and explained that. It went through without a problem.

Don't overplay the shopper card. This is all just a game. They don't like it when you ruffle to much feathers for their clients. They rather get a report from you that the business is doing well. This is my sense of things. I had many antagonistic and push back from the mystery shopping companies. One company refused to reimburse me for fees and expenses because the national chain (the big one) had me wait like 15 minutes at drive thru. I timed it exactly to the sec using my track handheld timer. They eventually caved and only gave me the expense back. So I just wasted my time. They probably didn't submit the report that made the client look bad. That is my guess.

@catmom23 - I would have taken a photograph of all those receipts as I got them. When I got home I could take all the photographs and get them in one photograph with my iPad, to help explain the fiasco on the report.

I did a thrift store shop. I had to ask a specific question. The manager was hovering around the cashiers, and they were visibly nervous. I asked the question. The cashier looked like she was going to faint. She asked if I was the mystery shopper. I asked her what that was.

I don't know for sure if people at one particular location know I'm the mystery shopper, but, they remember me when I visit. They remember my "background" story. I get great service. Is it because I'm a kind, repeat customer, or is it because there's a photo of me in the back with identifying details? Don't know, don't care, if I'm ever asked, I'll play dumb, and in the meantime, I'm just enjoying the vibe.

I have a friend who worked at a fast-food place, I did mystery shops for. They told me if any single person ordered an entree, side and drink, the word went out. "Mystery shopper" Mystery shoppers had to go alone and order an entree, side and drink. Nothing more. I had managers of cell phone shops tell me they know who the shoppers are. They are the only ones asking questions. Some even had copies of the questions and share them with employees.

John - What would an individual customer order at a fast food restaurant order if not an entree, side, and a drink? That is what I order (no mystery shop) and that is what I hear other customers ordering. Your friend must have thought they were dealing with dozens of mystery shoppers every day.

Do some companies set expectations for customer service? Of course. Do they train employees using specific scenarios? Probably. Do I ask verbatim question in the exact same order as the MSC lists them? Big NO.

I'm still trying to finger out where this list of questions is?.. And is he taking this magical list into the store and writing down the answers?

I am not good with editing so I offered them the first receipt if wanted but did do one pic with the other 3 receipts all on it. Shop was accepted. Right now they are actually reimbursing me too much money. I’m just waiting on the correction, hopeful it will end up right.

@purpleicee wrote:

@catmom23 - I would have taken a photograph of all those receipts as I got them. When I got home I could take all the photographs and get them in one photograph with my iPad, to help explain the fiasco on the report.

@myst4au wrote:

John - What would an individual customer order at a fast food restaurant order if not an entree, side, and a drink? That is what I order (no mystery shop) and that is what I hear other customers ordering. Your friend must have thought they were dealing with dozens of mystery shoppers every day.

Do some companies set expectations for customer service? Of course. Do they train employees using specific scenarios? Probably. Do I ask verbatim question in the exact same order as the MSC lists them? Big NO.

My friend was clear.....ANY single customer ordering just 3 items is marked as a mystery shopper. The call goes out....MYSTERY SHOPPER.

Most cell phone reports require you to take a picture inside the store of a display. You are now marked as the mystery shopper. No way around that. They know who you are.

? I just wait until the employee goes into the back to bring something out, or when I'm done and say I'm just going to browse a little more so they go off and help someone else, or I pretend I'm texting when I come in and snap the photo. If they're hovering, I use "want to get my daughter's opinion" as an excuse if I do get spotted taking a photo. Heck, sometimes I just ask if they mind if I take a photo of the phone/mattress/washing machine, because I've been looking at so many my memory can't keep up. Nowadays, so many people snap photos of ridiculous stuff for their 'gram (always the excuse my BFF uses when I take him on a restaurant shop - "get a pic of this for your 'gram". FTR, I do not have an instagram account). I don't think anyone bats an eye even if they DO see you.

@mysterioso412 wrote:

? I just wait until the employee goes into the back to bring something out, or when I'm done and say I'm just going to browse a little more so they go off and help someone else, or I pretend I'm texting when I come in and snap the photo. If they're hovering, I use "want to get my daughter's opinion" as an excuse if I do get spotted taking a photo. Heck, sometimes I just ask if they mind if I take a photo of the phone/mattress/washing machine, because I've been looking at so many my memory can't keep up. Nowadays, so many people snap photos of ridiculous stuff for their 'gram (always the excuse my BFF uses when I take him on a restaurant shop - "get a pic of this for your 'gram". FTR, I do not have an instagram account). I don't think anyone bats an eye even if they DO see you.

Any excuse you give will.not matter. You are marked as a mystery shopper. The stores have cameras. They now have your picture.

I've done some places repeatedly and there is zero evidence that I am *marked*. Best Buy comes to mind, since there is one just a few minutes from me. TVs, appliances, phones. I've shopped for each of those repeatedly at this store. If they had me pegged as a mystery shopper, I would almost definitely be getting better service, especially since (at least at that one), they always have at least a couple people working right up the front entrance, who would be able to easily alert the other staff if there was some mystery shopper wall of fame.

Of all the places I've done, there is only one where they *might* suspect (it's also just as likely that since there's a short rotation period for this shop that they just remember me and know I am a good customer).

As for an entree, side, and drink marking you as a mystery shopper? As a single person dining alone, what the heck else would they expect me to order? When I go out on my own, using the bazillion gift cards I have (I'm a teacher), that is generally what I order, as well.

My friend was clear.....ANY single customer ordering just 3 items is marked as a mystery shopper. The call goes out....MYSTERY SHOPPER.

So, when I ate yesterday, there were 3 other single diners spread around the dining area. The other three all had a drink, entrée, and a side. You're telling me that the staff assumed they were all mystery shoppers ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I guess Poor John has a friend that is either paranoid themself (dozens of mystery shoppers each and every day, every month, breakfast, lunch, and dinner) or his friend is having a good laugh at Poor John's expense.

@prince wrote:

My friend was clear.....ANY single customer ordering just 3 items is marked as a mystery shopper. The call goes out....MYSTERY SHOPPER.

So, when I ate yesterday, there were 3 other single diners spread around the dining area. The other three all had a drink, entrée, and a side. You're telling me that the staff assumed they were all mystery shoppers ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

How does "the call go out"? Curious how they are communicating this (what tech).

With enough experience, you will be able to take a covert photo without being made. Surveilance cameras are generally positioned high. If you are afraid of your face being on camera, wear a baseball cap and glasses.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/2026 06:34PM by AZwolfman.

Sure....imagine you're working for the CIA or FBI or the NSA....even the KGB. You're the Tom Cruise of mystery shopping.

Back in the dinosaur era I did a lot of yellow gas station audits for Maritz. A lot of them, and for many consecutive quarters. One particular station quickly remembered me. For all visits that followed, whether it be for an audit or as a normal customer, one of the clerks would greet me by saying, "Hey. Hi. Business or pleasure today?"
In another instance, I have a friend who I knew worked retail but didn't know she managed a Casey's until one day when I shopped her store. I didn't tell her what I was doing, but a week later or so she asked me, "Was it you?" We had a good laugh. From that day forward whenever I ever visited her store, she would roll her eyes and ask me, "Are you the one today?" I would tell her, "Maybe!" It was fun. She went on to a better manager job.