Okay, SO. I did a shop for BH. It was in a mall and I was asked to provide the names of the stores to either side. I noted in the report that there wasn't a store immediately to the left, and that Sony was on the right. Then I left a note for the editor saying I was in doubt that Sony was *immediately* on the right--i.e., that it might be down one door. (this is where I think I might have a problem.) This part of the mall is 99% too-expensive-for-me designer shops (e.g. Miu Miu, Kate Spade, Versace, Gucci, etc.), so odd storefronts really stick out.


No notes or anything have been left in my shop log and I've received no communication, but my shop log now shows a shopper fee of $0, not $25. Did I blow it by not taking a picture of the front to remind myself?

Possibly. You should have written up your notes before you left the premises and gone back in to check the details if you didn't remember what was next to it. We have to answer all of the questions to get paid.

Also, for next time, sometimes there are maps of malls on the internet or in a smartphone app. They are used to help shoppers to find their store without having to stop for directions. However, they can save you from going back to get this type of info.

In general, I've found BH easy to deal with so it seems odd they would invalidate a shop without contacting you for any clarification. If you want to call them the number I have is 800-321-2588. Someone is usually available during normal business hours.

I would caution against looking it up on the Internet. Often, the maps are out-dated and stores have closed with new stores opening all the time. If your Internet research turns out to be incorrect, they might think you were never really there and that would be ba-a-a-a-ad.

Yeah, I did actually look up the map to check the area and see if it jogged my memory, but the store it listed in that place is now on an entirely different floor (that much I DID remember). The problem is that with almost all of the designer stores in the same spot, they blend together in your brain. I have no problem doing stuff that's not so homogenous. I'll call tomorrow.

In the mall it is very easy to find a place to sit and jot down your notes. There should never be any need for guessing.

The Point inside app can be helpful.

You could also call them and ask what they are next to, and then, to make sure they didn't guess about it, call who they said was next to them and ask them if they are next to the XXXX store.

It's my own fault for being in a hurry. Most of the shops I've done in the mall previously have been Chanel in various anchor stores, where there's never any doubt about where you are. I shop in the mall as a regular customer, but it's so huge (as in, I've lived here a year and only five weeks ago discovered that there's an entire *second half* to the mall that I've never seen before, much less entered--and it's three stories tall!) that even though I have my "regular" stores the only one I can pinpoint without a directory is Charming Charlie.

I would say "well, live and learn," but I could've really used that $25. *sadface*

You can go on the mall's website for a map and directory of stores FYI.

Swilli, I did. It was out of date.

I've done this successfully. It was a nuisance but I still forget to look at those stores next door!!


dspeakes Wrote:
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> You could also call them and ask what they are
> next to, and then, to make sure they didn't guess
> about it, call who they said was next to them and
> ask them if they are next to the XXXX store.

All malls tend to have a directory somewhere in the mall. So it might be good to collect one of those ~~every six months or so. (If the mall is in your residential area) That way you have an idea what is close and just call the store before shop to see if it still is.

There are times in a mall as I approached my "Shop" store I take pictures on the right, on the left and straight on. The flash is usually off, so that it does not attract/scare people.

Ever little bit helps.

I had to go to a mall for an audit last month and the store was not on the directory at all; I had to call to ask them which anchor store they were near. They had only had that unit for two months and there had been a competitor in that location previously. I would not use a printed directory to answer a shop question without calling to confirm it was still accurate.

dspeakes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You could also call them and ask what they are
> next to, and then, to make sure they didn't guess
> about it, call who they said was next to them and
> ask them if they are next to the XXXX store.

I've done this, too -- called the store, asked where they are located and who they're next to when I've forgotten to note who's next door. It's something I've done just shopping in general so it's not a weird question.

I agree with the people who say NOT to use the mall directory and/or the Internet mall map. They are almost always out-of-date these days. With the economy (at least in my area), stores are still closing down or downsizing at a rapid rate. I have seen storefront changes on a week-to-week basis.

Now, I have taken a pic of the mall directory to send to the MSC to show that the landmarks that they gave me for the store are no longer valid. It is ironic that the MSC and the client want accurate information from shoppers but they don't provide accurate information to us. Hmmmm?

I do quite a few shops for Beyond Hello and I believe all of their reports require the left/right storefront POV whether they are high-end shops or not. I just have made it a habit to always text the storefront info before I even walk into the store. I do it ahead of time because when you leave the store, you have a bunch of other stuff clogging up your brain as you search for a secure place to write your notes.

P.S. There is a shop that I have performed where there is no store to the left, just the entrance to the inside of the mall. I put exactly that in the spot for the storefront to the left. In the department stores, it gets a little tricky because depending on where you are standing, there usually is no true left/right and you are dealing with departments, not stores.. And kiosks drive me nuts. Just do the best you can. I usually write down extra surrounding locations just so I have the information.

I have done that shop a few times. As I approach, I walk past it and text myself the name of the store on each side.

I would not rely on a phone call or outdated map/directory.

How much you wanna bet some of those employees don't know what stores are on either side.

As I recall, the BH site doesn't show the full fee on some shops until they have been finalized. Was this one finalized? I don't think it sounds like them to refuse payment, as long as there was a Sony in the actual area of the shop....I would contact them. They are actually one of my favorites to deal with when issues or questions arise....

There's one shop I do for them at an outdoor center. When I approach the store from one direction, there's a lake on the right; when I approach it from the other direction, the lake is on the left. I ended up having to send the scheduler a couple of pictures so she could understand.

But if you are standing directly in front, facing the entrance, wouldn't it always be in the same place? Unless of course it is one of those enchanted lakes I've heard so much about

Scheherezade, it just says "received." No notes or rating change or anything. It said that for about two days before the fee suddenly and mysteriously disappeared, which is why I'm concerned. (Also because I did the shop like two weeks ago and there's been no editing or anything? Is that normal?)

Did you ever call to ask them?

As I recall, the fee shows up and then it disappears and reappears. But I can't recall for certain as I have not ever had any issues with them and have been shopping with them for years and, admittedly, don't pay attention to them and their payment schedule as closely as I likely should.

Email or call them. They are responsive and, IMO, one of the top 5 in communication and treatment of their shoppers.

If you got or get the Mall brochure you could check to see if you are right. If there is no store on one side, just state on the corner or whatever. I think you should speak with someone about this at Beyond Hello, they are easy to work with. Taking a picture could be wise.

My very first assignment was with Beyond Hello last week! I found them easy to deal with and quick to respond. They gave me a 9 out of 10 rating on the report I filed. I guess they liked it well enough. I took notes before I went in and afterwards before I left the mall! I also discreetly took a picture of the outside display. Take notes! Download and review the survey questions before you go in! Good luck!

I have an enchanted lake around the one shop I do however it is not for BH and does not ask for what is on the right and left.

I emailed the scheduler. More updates as they follow.

You originally posted about this last weekend. Whenever something out of the ordinary happens time can make the difference between acceptance or denial of a shop. Why didn't you try to call them Monday or Tuesday?