Mercantile System Hotels Shop

Can anyone tell me what five departments are shopped from 2pm-5pm for the Mercantile Systems Hotel shops that do not require an overnight. You can not access the guidelines without accepting the shop. I do not want to apply for a shop that I can't do. For instance is valet parking required? I could not drive there. The email say's to follow the guidelines and no phone calls please. Just curious I am in the area near one of the shops this month. TIA

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

More About Hotel Mystery Shopping

I was wondering the same thing.

I agree that emails like this are hard. MSO's are in a tough spot, they don't want an employee of the store/hotel knowing what exactly they are being shopped on in advance but then again they need to make sure they provide enough information so shoppers can know if they are the best for the position...

Based on guesses only looking at the hotel being shopped, I would guess it includes the bistro, front desk, conceriege, business center and lobby greeter. Of course this is honestly speculation only. The hotel in my area has very expensive parking/ valet rates so I do not personally think this would be a part of the shop.

You can email and ask for an advance copy of the guidelines before accepting the shop.

------------------------------------------------
Plan the work. Work the plan.

Bar is definitely one since there is a drink reimbursement. I was thinking you couldn't do front desk since there's no check in. I thought concierge, too, and maybe gift shop. For one of the hotels on my list, the valet is shopped by another company. It's hard to think of others, maybe doorman? I'm very curious.

***************************
Thanks to all the forum members!

Thanks for the suggestions. I took the plunge and emailed the scheduler but have not heard back yet. The hotel is in the commuter train station and would be easy to complete. Hope I hear back.

i agree that bar, gift shop, lobby greeter and concierge are among "the usual suspects" for those types of shops.

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.

Did anyone else notice the shopper pay drop on this? The link in the email I received yesterday I'm sure said $38 - today, it says $25.

too much interest, i suppose

The areas are front desk (as if you were already a guest), bar, bellman, concierge and one other (I can’t remember). I did a shop last month. They are not hard but have narratives about the five interactions.

Mine did say $25 yesterday.

Chris you are correct there is a switcheroo on the fee. Today the shop pay is posted as $25.00 and a $10.00 fee expense limit. The email listed the shop fee as $38 and a $10 fee expense limit yesterday. I am still waiting to hear back from the scheduler.

I applied for this shop today and will let everyone know which departments they are requesting to be shopped. The fee in my area is $25, plus a $10 reimbursement for a drink. I only applied because I am interesting in doing their hotel shops as well. The instructions indicate that shoppers who perform the five interaction shops will have a better chance of being assigned the overnight stay shops. We will see....

**********************************
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. -Henry David Thoreau
**********************************
Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out. -Frank Clark
**********************************

rsglenn thanks! I was more attracted to the $38 plus $10 reimbursement email yesterday. The shop is still listed on the JB for my area. I still might apply at $25 fee if there is no valet parking requirement and no one else snags it while I'm procrastinating.

Pooch5210,

You're welcome! I will keep you posted. My average shop rating for this MSC is 10, so I'm hoping I will get the shop.

rsglenn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I applied for this shop today and will let
> everyone know which departments they are
> requesting to be shopped. The fee in my area is
> $25, plus a $10 reimbursement for a drink. I only
> applied because I am interesting in doing their
> hotel shops as well. The instructions indicate
> that shoppers who perform the five interaction
> shops will have a better chance of being assigned
> the overnight stay shops. We will see....

Is getting a reimbursement only overnight hotel shop a reward or a punishment? Keep that in mind.

The scheduler sent me the guidelines. Without sharing proprietary information the fifth area to evaluate was the Navigator Guide, in my area. The other four areas were mentioned throughout this thread. Thanks everyone for your comments.

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

Mercantile System Hotels Shop

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine