Merc overnight hotel stay
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When you cancel the 2nd night at check out, do they charge you for the 2nd night? Or let you cancel it without problems?
@MikiNV wrote:
When you cancel the 2nd night at check out, do they charge you for the 2nd night? Or let you cancel it without problems?
Regardless if they do or not, you just proceed as it happens, since the visit will be reversed pending an acceptable report.
If they're doing their job, my experiences will be that cancelling the second night would be an issue. If they ever did charge me for a second night, that would just mean more rewards points for me!
Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.
I have never had them charge me.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
Did anyone do this as their first shop with Merc?
If I'm not mistaken these are the only shops I have done for Merc.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
@bgriffin wrote:
If I'm not mistaken these are the only shops I have done for Merc.
Interesting. I applied for several but was not assigned one. They required a picture--maybe I did not fit into their target demographic.
@MSF wrote:
Interesting. I applied for several but was not assigned one. They required a picture--maybe I did not fit into their target demographic.
Be proactive and inquire with them about it.
Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.
I have never been charged for the second night. I am careful to check out before the deadline for canceling the second night. These are not the only overnight shops Merc has.
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've never been charged, but I wish I were. These aren't the only overnights, Wales? I've never seen any others.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
They have maybe half a dozen individual hotels they shop as well.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
Thank you so much for this thread and discussion. I didn't realize that you got an upgrade to platinum when doing one of these shops, so I ignored them for so long until reading this thread. I just got assigned to my first of these on Thursday night and was already upgraded to Platinum the next day. As someone said, the status upgrade is much more valuable than any other payment I have received. I'm glad that more points and miles hobbyists aren't aware of mystery shopping.
Unfortunately, I may have to re-think those sentiments. I got my upgrade notice e-mail, and it said that my platinum status was only good through the end of February, only four full months. I don't know if the upgrade status is shorter now than before or if it is better to do these shops in the beginning of the year.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/2017 11:33PM by DrTerminus.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/2017 11:33PM by DrTerminus.
Please remove the client names from your post! ICA violation and forum rules violation!
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.
My upgrades have usually run 12-14 months.
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.
Thanks. Have you noticed a difference if you did the shop at the beginning of the year or the end of the year as far as how long they would last?
Not really, but I was not paying much attention. I have done them in every calendar quarter, I think.
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.
Not sure it's higher expectations; I don't particularly care for the hotel editor. I got dinged for "not following instructions" - I dared to include something that wasn't on the report, but that the client needed to know about.@Hoju wrote:
They clearly have someone new editing these that has much higher expectations.
"Let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you - and why?” ~Walter Williams
Last year, I wasn't charged for the second night, but it was at the main chain. This year, I did get charged for the second night, but it was the secondary chain. No complaints since more points for me. I've never gotten assigned more than one a round, but I live in a popular place.
Secondary chain?
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
I think she means the new brand fron the recent aquisition.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
Ohh right.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Yeah, that's what I meant, the new acquisition.
I also wanted to ring in on the no- or low-fee aspect of some hotel shops. I regularly get an assignment (not a hotel) that pays $20/hour, requires a decent but not horrible amount of note taking over the course of about 8 hours, and probably about two hours to write up the report, which I could complete while on assignment if I didn't get motion sick. It also reimburses $45 worth of food separate from the $40-60 reimbursement for interactions. So, a pretty sweet gig, except while I was doing my last assignments, I was constantly thinking about this thread and how I'd much rather be doing a $25 hotel overnight with my favorite company or even these $0 Merc hotels.
It's really to each their own in this biz.
I also wanted to ring in on the no- or low-fee aspect of some hotel shops. I regularly get an assignment (not a hotel) that pays $20/hour, requires a decent but not horrible amount of note taking over the course of about 8 hours, and probably about two hours to write up the report, which I could complete while on assignment if I didn't get motion sick. It also reimburses $45 worth of food separate from the $40-60 reimbursement for interactions. So, a pretty sweet gig, except while I was doing my last assignments, I was constantly thinking about this thread and how I'd much rather be doing a $25 hotel overnight with my favorite company or even these $0 Merc hotels.
It's really to each their own in this biz.
@shopsuey wrote:
It's really to each their own in this biz.
It's true.
We certainly make judgements based on what other people do, particularly when people take those ridiculously low $7 jobs when they should be waiting for incentives because it only serves to cheapen the value of what we do.
On the other hand, the person that takes the job at $7 could mean that there's more money in the bucket'o'cash when it comes time for you to ask for an incentive.
It can go both ways, really.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
I'm doing my first one this week. I admit that the questionnaire looks daunting. Thank goodness mine doesn't have the airport shuttle. There is a section asking about the Bellman that I'm wondering about. Many of these chain hotels don't have bellman standing around. I am a non-disabled person that can carry my own luggage to my room....what excuse would I use to interact with the bellman?
Regarding the towel re-use for Housekeeping...is it ok to call in the morning before breakfast and ask for the room to be made-up while I'm eating breakfast? Also, the instructions state "You must hang your used towels on the towel hook or bar in the bathroom, no exceptions," but then it also states "You will hang the used towels on the shower rod, racks or shower doors." So where do I hang the used towels?
Regarding the towel re-use for Housekeeping...is it ok to call in the morning before breakfast and ask for the room to be made-up while I'm eating breakfast? Also, the instructions state "You must hang your used towels on the towel hook or bar in the bathroom, no exceptions," but then it also states "You will hang the used towels on the shower rod, racks or shower doors." So where do I hang the used towels?
Disembark from the car with a pained look on your face and mention a recent back surgery during the casual conversation. Frankly, most bellman don't care why you are using them, they just want an opportunity to get a tip. Bring an extra piece of luggage if that makes you more comfortable.
Yes on the housekeeping/breakfast inquiry, in my personal experience. Full disclosure: your scheduler is the best person to answer this question.
Yes on the housekeeping/breakfast inquiry, in my personal experience. Full disclosure: your scheduler is the best person to answer this question.
Here is my bellman trick for shops I’m driving to: I keep a big cardboard box full of rags in my garage for cleaning. I tape the box shut so you can’t see what’s in it and take it with me. You can’t be expected to carry that box plus any amount of luggage. Anybody would need luggage assistance with a box.
Doesn’t matter what’s in it. They don’t ask and they don’t care.
It’s as simple as “I’m taking this bag and this box. You’ll probably need a cart”
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2017 10:14PM by Hoju.
Doesn’t matter what’s in it. They don’t ask and they don’t care.
It’s as simple as “I’m taking this bag and this box. You’ll probably need a cart”
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2017 10:14PM by Hoju.
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