Menu Collections
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I have wondered that myself, and that is why I couldn't accept that shop. Just felt wrong.
Use a high setting on your camera phone. Use a regular camera and zoom in. If it's for the outside menu, it's fairly simple. If it's for the inside, it's still possible. I handle the account for these with ACE and the photos people get are pretty amazing most the time. People can also write down the prices, but that takes longer, hence the photos. Some people say they're taking photos for co-workers so they'll know what they can order and the prices. Or for a party, business meeting, college essay, whatever.
I suppose this isn't for those who are shy, nervous, or timid. The guilty look on their faces would probably give them away. However, I have been in many, MANY stores and I'll take photos of products I like for future reference to either buy or, in cases like jewelry, to make for myself. Never have I been caught or asked to stop. If they ever come to my area, I'm taking these without a second thought because I've had plenty of personal practice.
I suppose this isn't for those who are shy, nervous, or timid. The guilty look on their faces would probably give them away. However, I have been in many, MANY stores and I'll take photos of products I like for future reference to either buy or, in cases like jewelry, to make for myself. Never have I been caught or asked to stop. If they ever come to my area, I'm taking these without a second thought because I've had plenty of personal practice.
If it is the shop I am thinking of, you actually COLLECT (meaning take out of the shop with you) menus.
All of the 'menu collections' I have done have not required the actual menu but rather photos of it. I have concocted a number of tales over time to get it done and they have always worked. I also have just walked into a restaurant, pulled a menu and taken it over to the waiting area and started photographing. I did expect someone to say something and had my tall tale ready, but they didn't. When I had good photos, I simply put the menu back in the hostess's bin of them and walked out. Awkward? Yes. Impossible? Nope. I just use my regular camera and if it is too dark, I use the flash. I try to go mid afternoon when I am least likely to disturb others.
Flash,
What's the tall tale you would use to disguise snapping photos of a restaurant menu while still in the vestibule?
I couldn't think of one to save my life.
I ended up taking one in my oversize hobo bag to the restroom, snapping my photos there, then returning to the table with a very guilty look on my face.
What's the tall tale you would use to disguise snapping photos of a restaurant menu while still in the vestibule?
I couldn't think of one to save my life.
I ended up taking one in my oversize hobo bag to the restroom, snapping my photos there, then returning to the table with a very guilty look on my face.
Once was an upcoming family gathering that would include my son's fiance and her kids from a previous marriage. I knew the kids were picky eaters--as was the fiance--so wanted to email my son a menu to see if there was anything they would eat so we could have the group of 15 at that particular restaurant.
Another time was a retirement dinner for an employee and my boss wanted to know the price range and selections at the restaurant and whether they could accommodate a group of 22-24.
One afternoon there was nobody around the front of the restaurant at all so I just stepped outside with the menu and took full daylight photos of it on a bench outside. When I carried the menu back inside I was finally greeted and mentioned it was 'so dark in here' I took the menu outside to read it, following up with "I thought you folks had the _____, but I don't see it and that was what my husband wanted me to bring home for his birthday dinner."
Overall the shop just requires you be ready, able and willing to ad lib the BS without apology or guilt.
Another time was a retirement dinner for an employee and my boss wanted to know the price range and selections at the restaurant and whether they could accommodate a group of 22-24.
One afternoon there was nobody around the front of the restaurant at all so I just stepped outside with the menu and took full daylight photos of it on a bench outside. When I carried the menu back inside I was finally greeted and mentioned it was 'so dark in here' I took the menu outside to read it, following up with "I thought you folks had the _____, but I don't see it and that was what my husband wanted me to bring home for his birthday dinner."
Overall the shop just requires you be ready, able and willing to ad lib the BS without apology or guilt.
Thank you for all the help! I told them I had an event to plan and that I needed menu prices. It worked out ok but the manager looked skeptical.
On anything such as this I will never set myself as the decision maker unless required to do so by specific shop instructions. As a foot soldier just 'doing my job' by collecting information I have no authority to even tentatively make reservations, check availability dates, know what the budget is, know what time the event is to be held, etc. etc. 'I really don't know' is acceptable from a foot soldier, much less so from a decision maker.
Edited to add: As a foot soldier I can even state, "My boss has sent me on a fool's errand to collect menus from a few places before he makes a decision. Can you help me here?"
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/10/2012 04:49PM by Flash.
Edited to add: As a foot soldier I can even state, "My boss has sent me on a fool's errand to collect menus from a few places before he makes a decision. Can you help me here?"
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/10/2012 04:49PM by Flash.
Why would a MSC send you out to get these prices?
Spying for the restaurant's competition? Seems like all the restaurants have menus on the internet with "order by phone" included which gives prices of most of their dishes....
I don't think I'd pull it off....
Spying for the restaurant's competition? Seems like all the restaurants have menus on the internet with "order by phone" included which gives prices of most of their dishes....
I don't think I'd pull it off....
MSCs will send out shoppers for the following reasons:
1. Competitor shop
2. Franchise price compliance: is the franchise holder pricing his/her menus within the accepted guidelines?
3. Current promotion/menu item status: is the restaurant manager current with all promotions?
There may be more; these are the major ones I've seen.
And web sites are often not up-to-date. A menu that you've been handed on a Saturday afternoon definitely is.
1. Competitor shop
2. Franchise price compliance: is the franchise holder pricing his/her menus within the accepted guidelines?
3. Current promotion/menu item status: is the restaurant manager current with all promotions?
There may be more; these are the major ones I've seen.
And web sites are often not up-to-date. A menu that you've been handed on a Saturday afternoon definitely is.
Again, the shop I turned down was for a fantastic company but you had to actually remove menus, and then mail them in. They wanted the menus themselves and not just photos. I felt too awkward and like it was "stealing" even though the MSC is a jewel and I would love to work for them again. The one assignment I did (which was to photograph prices of the drivethru and the large posted menu behind the cash area) was paid within a week, and I received a hand written thank you note for completing it. Again, terrific company, just didn't feel comfortable taking menus.
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