How did you get started with Ardent services?
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I just received an invitation yesterday and responded that I would like to attend.
Will they now send some sort of actual confirmation that we are accepted and should attend the training?
Will they now send some sort of actual confirmation that we are accepted and should attend the training?
They will send something stating the training place, date and time. If not, call them!
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
What I got was the date, time, city, zip code - no street address but that would be easy enough to figure out as I believe there are only two of these stores in town.
Sounds like you are expected!
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Got my confirmation tonight that I am scheduled for the training on Tuesday. I am looking forward to it. Seems to me that the training might be beneficial in my other dining shops.
I started with them by responding to an invitation, probably from MSPA or possibly Kern, I forget. Since then I have shopped regularly and been quite happy with Ardent.
The only thing to add to the above advice is that they don't add new shoppers often and require an on-site training session for new shoppers. Those training sessions don't take place all that frequently so patience is often required.
If you are interested, first find out if they are listing a need for new shoppers in your area(s) on their site. Other shoppers can access the job board for you. If they are, I suggest you go directly to Ardent, bypassing Kern because I have heard it is easier to do it that way. Then, wait for a training session to be scheduled.
Good luck!
The only thing to add to the above advice is that they don't add new shoppers often and require an on-site training session for new shoppers. Those training sessions don't take place all that frequently so patience is often required.
If you are interested, first find out if they are listing a need for new shoppers in your area(s) on their site. Other shoppers can access the job board for you. If they are, I suggest you go directly to Ardent, bypassing Kern because I have heard it is easier to do it that way. Then, wait for a training session to be scheduled.
Good luck!
Happily shopping Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut
Question for those of you doing Chipotle shops. I am scheduled to do the training this coming Tuesday and just downloaded the documents required for that training. I'm wondering if it's really worth the $25 per shop as the reports want a lot of detailed information along with a narrative section.
I've eaten at Chipotle once and although I thought their food was fresh and appealing I much prefer a meal where I can sit down and let my server take and bring my order.
Any responses from those of you who have done these shops?
I've eaten at Chipotle once and although I thought their food was fresh and appealing I much prefer a meal where I can sit down and let my server take and bring my order.
Any responses from those of you who have done these shops?
I did [client] shops for a while and my answer to that is a resounding "no" but others feel differently. I also don't really like eating at the restaurants because they are loud. After buying the required food, the fee comes to about $15 and a lot of narrative is required. I found that each time I did one, I put off the report as long as possible because I dreaded doing it.
Thx. for your quick response, Bay. Your answer was what I was thinking. I guess I should say if I were all that impressed i would have gone back to eat at Chipotle's again. Where I live there are a number of Mexican food restaurants where one can sit down and order a meal which is brought by a server.
I've been invited to a few training sessions over the years, but they have always been on short notice and they pick locations that are too far away for me.
I was also told that they decide what location(s) you will shop and it is yours every month. Is that true? After reading about the report, I don't know if I'll ever be interested.
I was also told that they decide what location(s) you will shop and it is yours every month. Is that true? After reading about the report, I don't know if I'll ever be interested.
*********************
I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!
I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!
> I was also told that they decide what location(s)
> you will shop and it is yours every month. Is
> that true? After reading about the report, I
> don't know if I'll ever be interested.
Not true. You pick which locations you are willing to shop. Then, at the start of each month, the only shops you are offered will come from what you picked. You can accept or decline the offers.
> you will shop and it is yours every month. Is
> that true? After reading about the report, I
> don't know if I'll ever be interested.
Not true. You pick which locations you are willing to shop. Then, at the start of each month, the only shops you are offered will come from what you picked. You can accept or decline the offers.
Thanks to someone on this forum, who shared with me what company did Chipotle, I just completed my training 2 weeks ago. Not only did I meet some nice local shoppers, but the training was interesting and TASTY. Sure I could eat at any Mexican place- I was impressed with the farm fresh ingredients and scrupulous food practices. It did take me 5 months to get that coveted "we have a training for you" email, though. I am doing my first shop next week.
~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~* Shoppin' Mama of 4 lovely & unique girls and Nana to Bella, Delilah and Lincoln, shopping in Oregon and parts of Washington
I plan to attend the training tomorrow for a couple reasons. It could be after the training the report won't look quite so intimidating although I do dislike heavy narrative reports. The training can only assist me in my other dining shops I would think. And I'm looking forward to meeting local shoppers.
I too like to eat Mexican food in a full service restaurant. However, since my shopping routes have me eating at quick service restaurants many times per month, on my own dime (I don't do fast food), my Chipotle shops subsidize my lunch expenses a lot. That means that the value of my food needs to be "heavied up" as the accountants would say, because it is inkind income, untaxed at the federal or state level. And, in order to "unwind" at lunch time, I would spend at least 30 minutes eating my lunch anyway, while probably doing a little shop-related paperwork or reading. So, I cannot really count the time in the Chipotle shop as different from any uncompensated lunch out.
The reports take about 2-3 to get into the swing of them. You will find that when you write a short comment in each of several comment boxes, those can, and should, be strung together to form about 90% of the "dreaded" two paragraph summary of the visit. (Of course, you cannot cut and paste from visit A to the report for visit B.) So, if it is taking as long as some claim to write those two paragraphs, they may well be doing something wrong to begin with.
The reports take about 2-3 to get into the swing of them. You will find that when you write a short comment in each of several comment boxes, those can, and should, be strung together to form about 90% of the "dreaded" two paragraph summary of the visit. (Of course, you cannot cut and paste from visit A to the report for visit B.) So, if it is taking as long as some claim to write those two paragraphs, they may well be doing something wrong to begin with.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
plmccut Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Question for those of you doing Chipotle shops. I
> am scheduled to do the training this coming
> Tuesday and just downloaded the documents required
> for that training. I'm wondering if it's really
> worth the $25 per shop as the reports want a lot
> of detailed information along with a narrative
> section.
I have done Chipotle shops regularly for more than three years and find it worthwhile. However, I can understand that some will be put off by the longer narratives. Yes, they do want much detailed information. The training will greatly help you understand those details.
The MSP is terrific to work for. They are responsive, helpful and understanding when something does not go according to plan. Scheduling is flexible. Shoppers have a period of time within the month - generally one shop per week - so planning a route is easier.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Question for those of you doing Chipotle shops. I
> am scheduled to do the training this coming
> Tuesday and just downloaded the documents required
> for that training. I'm wondering if it's really
> worth the $25 per shop as the reports want a lot
> of detailed information along with a narrative
> section.
I have done Chipotle shops regularly for more than three years and find it worthwhile. However, I can understand that some will be put off by the longer narratives. Yes, they do want much detailed information. The training will greatly help you understand those details.
The MSP is terrific to work for. They are responsive, helpful and understanding when something does not go according to plan. Scheduling is flexible. Shoppers have a period of time within the month - generally one shop per week - so planning a route is easier.
Happily shopping Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut
vlade, did you realize you included the client name
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
It's not allowed on this board. However, Ardent encourages use of their clients name, which is a first.
LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> vlade, did you realize you included the client
> name
Yes, I did. If the MSP does not mind us naming the client name am I breaking my ICA with them, or violating the spirit of this forum's rule on not doing so?
-------------------------------------------------------
> vlade, did you realize you included the client
> name
Yes, I did. If the MSP does not mind us naming the client name am I breaking my ICA with them, or violating the spirit of this forum's rule on not doing so?
Happily shopping Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut
Not being registered with Ardent, I wasn't aware of the MSCs policy until audrialyn posted the same thing. While unusual, I've always maintained to reveal or not to reveal is decided by the MSC and their client. How it relates to the posting guidelines is a good question.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Well, did the training this morning and found it excellent and I will probably do some shops for them to see how it goes. Since we don't have to get the name of the manager, the servers, etc. nor the team members descriptions (unless we want to compliment someone for doing a great job) that is less stress on what we need to try to remember. And the timing portion is minimal, too. So based on that one can concentrate on the food, the restaurant and the teams service. I don't do the FF shops because I hate all the timing required. This would be a much more relaxing shop.
We currently only have 3 shops in town but was told this morning they are planning on adding 2 more AND I was surprised to hear they have 90 in Denver since I plan on going to Denver end of the month for Easter.
We currently only have 3 shops in town but was told this morning they are planning on adding 2 more AND I was surprised to hear they have 90 in Denver since I plan on going to Denver end of the month for Easter.
And thank goodness the food is decent. I did Fuzzy's when it was here in Alb. and hated the food. Got heartburn when I walked in the door. That was the only report I ever did where I forgot my objectivity and included an opinion (for which the DE called me on). I mentioned on my report that given the many excellent Mexican food restaurants we had here I thought Fuzzy's would have difficulty in pulling in customers (my tactful way of saying the food sucked!).
The MSC called me and offered a bonus to do Fuzzy's again and I went ahead and took it. Imagine my surprise(NOT) when I pulled into the shop parking lot and discovered them dismantling the place as they had closed.
The MSC called me and offered a bonus to do Fuzzy's again and I went ahead and took it. Imagine my surprise(NOT) when I pulled into the shop parking lot and discovered them dismantling the place as they had closed.
Yes, Ardent is happy to have us share the client name. They are unique in tht regard.
BTW, a simple description of the team mambers on the seving line is required in my region. That is limited to gender, approximate height, hair color/style, and comments on which shirt style and/or hat they were (or were not) wearing. You can sit down to eat and record those items while njoying your lunch except in the very few stes where you cannot see the serving line form the dining area. Enjoy!
BTW, a simple description of the team mambers on the seving line is required in my region. That is limited to gender, approximate height, hair color/style, and comments on which shirt style and/or hat they were (or were not) wearing. You can sit down to eat and record those items while njoying your lunch except in the very few stes where you cannot see the serving line form the dining area. Enjoy!
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I'm not signed up with the company, but I got an e-mail inviting me to do the training. I did it and I enjoyed the free food I got for attending, but it would be nice to get the pay as well. Time is money after all, and the location was 30+ miles round trip in beautiful California where the gas is $4.20/gal. Not to mention I didn't have a car that day so it was actually double that for a family member to drop me off and go back home.
After I did the training I immediately filled out an application with the company when I got home. This was two weeks ago, and I have not heard from them since. Do they normally take long to approve an application? I've never had an application turned away by any company.
After I did the training I immediately filled out an application with the company when I got home. This was two weeks ago, and I have not heard from them since. Do they normally take long to approve an application? I've never had an application turned away by any company.
How long is the actual training? I got the invite years ago and had a conflict. Reimbursement heavy shops ended up not being my thing, so I did not pursue it further.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
All five of us who attended the training this morning were experienced shoppers so the training progressed fairly quickly. Primarily going over what was considered Great, OK or Nope on the various report items and took about 1 1/2 hrs. plus the free lunch. One shopper left as soon as the training was completed w/o his lunch, 3 took their lunches with them and I stayed and ate in solitary splender. It is my understanding that I will be paid the $10/hr. after I complete my first shop. Tonight I received a direct deposit authorization form to complete and return. It does seem to me that Ardent kind of moves at their own pace but Chipotle has only had a presence here since last summer and then only one store until a couple months ago.
Trainer stated that one month they do lunch shops and next month dinner shops. Stores are shopped once a month. Out of te five of us who attended the training, I suspect at least one will not be doing these shops but we will see.
It was nice to meet some of the local shoppers though.
Trainer stated that one month they do lunch shops and next month dinner shops. Stores are shopped once a month. Out of te five of us who attended the training, I suspect at least one will not be doing these shops but we will see.
It was nice to meet some of the local shoppers though.
CA,
It really requires that the trainees be able to see the true color and texture of the various foods in as they appear in pans on the serving line, in order to properly rate them. Obviously, the client is committed to in-person training. This client has very high standards for food quality, cleanliness, etc. Plus, they pay for training time plus a free lunch.
Somewhat less than half of the fee covers the required food items, and you will have many, many choices, with only one item actually required. And, you can just have water to drink and save that part of the total for yourself.
Great, helpful MSC staff.
It really requires that the trainees be able to see the true color and texture of the various foods in as they appear in pans on the serving line, in order to properly rate them. Obviously, the client is committed to in-person training. This client has very high standards for food quality, cleanliness, etc. Plus, they pay for training time plus a free lunch.
Somewhat less than half of the fee covers the required food items, and you will have many, many choices, with only one item actually required. And, you can just have water to drink and save that part of the total for yourself.
Great, helpful MSC staff.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I want to piggy back walesmaven's comments. You definitely want the training for this shop. The requirements are rigorous and they have a specific visual presentation and texture they want for the food. Not mention the various employee descriptions, ratings, etc. In my opinion, without the training it could be a disastrous shop, especially for a newbie.
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