Restaurant shop for 1st shop
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What restaurant? You can tell us the name of the restaurant or the name of the mystery shopping company. Just don't mention both.
Many restaurant mystery shops are quite easy. Taking pictures of your meal is so common that no one takes any notice.
The pictures I have to take of the outside of the business have been quick snaps with my cell phone. They are always accepted.
I only have trouble uploading pictures with Bare. I have quit trying, unfortunately because the job and report are beyond easy.
Many restaurant mystery shops are quite easy. Taking pictures of your meal is so common that no one takes any notice.
The pictures I have to take of the outside of the business have been quick snaps with my cell phone. They are always accepted.
I only have trouble uploading pictures with Bare. I have quit trying, unfortunately because the job and report are beyond easy.
Photographs do not necessarily make a shop hard. Because you will only be reimbursed if you do the shop absolutely correctly, I would start with a shop that has a low-dollar reimbursement, so that you are risking less. With a lower risk, you will be less nervous. As a first shop, I would choose a shop to do by yourself. Speaking from experience, in a restaurant setting, it is hard enough to do the shop according to the guidelines but if you have another person you need to control (what if they order the wrong thing? etc.), it is harder still. Many new shoppers have posted that they were not reimbursed for a first dining shop because their guest ordered the wrong thing or started to eat before the picture was taken.
My choice for a first shop would be one of the fast food single-diner dine in shops from Market Force. Many of the dine ins do not require timings (drive-thrus almost always do). Some do require pictures, but they are easy to take and easy to upload. And Market Force has clear guidelines with pictures and examples. MF also has short, easy reports with little narrative that can be completed.in 10 minutes.
My choice for a first shop would be one of the fast food single-diner dine in shops from Market Force. Many of the dine ins do not require timings (drive-thrus almost always do). Some do require pictures, but they are easy to take and easy to upload. And Market Force has clear guidelines with pictures and examples. MF also has short, easy reports with little narrative that can be completed.in 10 minutes.
My choice for a first shop would be one where there is NO outlay of cash at risk, in case the shop was not accepted. Or, a small outlay, such as at a fast food place. I like bank teller shops for beginners. They will strengthen your memory muscles.and give you a taste of writing short narrative answers. Or, try a shop where you will be reimbursed for something you would have had to buy anyway, such as a haircut or an oil change. Again, if your report is not accepted, at least you were not really losing the money that you would have had to spend anyway.
Also, only accept one shop of a given type until you have some experience and get feedback on the results of the first shop. Even veteran shoppers can get burned when taking several identical shops, and turning them all in before seeing the feedback on the first one. I made that mistake myself, last month, and for an MSC that I have done dozens of shops for, very successfully. This was a new (to me) client and they were very displeased becasue I rated the associate on more than their very narrow focus. Fortunately, the MSC was kinder to me than the client was, but that is probably because of my loooog history with their other shops.
Also, only accept one shop of a given type until you have some experience and get feedback on the results of the first shop. Even veteran shoppers can get burned when taking several identical shops, and turning them all in before seeing the feedback on the first one. I made that mistake myself, last month, and for an MSC that I have done dozens of shops for, very successfully. This was a new (to me) client and they were very displeased becasue I rated the associate on more than their very narrow focus. Fortunately, the MSC was kinder to me than the client was, but that is probably because of my loooog history with their other 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.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I concur with wales' entire post, but especially this.
If the MSC has a bank, retail, or some other shop, try that first. This way, you will get a feel for what they require in their report.
If the MSC has a bank, retail, or some other shop, try that first. This way, you will get a feel for what they require in their report.
@walesmaven wrote:
My choice for a first shop would be one where there is NO outlay of cash at risk, in case the shop was not accepted.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
The msc is 360 Intel. The fee is 10.00 no reimbursement it's for lunch. I have eaten at the restaurant twice before you order at the counter and then foood is brought to your table. Going by myself so I can keep my total to $8.00.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2018 11:38PM by Trixie14.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2018 11:38PM by Trixie14.
Everyone takes pics, it is normal with Yelpers, Google Reviewers, etc. I only notice if a person with a camera/phone appears to be trying to include me in their pics.
My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
There was a shop where you needed to take photos of signage inside a store an unrevealed audit it was called.
I rarely take photos so taking photos surreptitiously I just don't see myself doing that.
I rarely take photos so taking photos surreptitiously I just don't see myself doing that.
Trixie, welcome to the forum, and best of luck on your first shop.
Do remember that if you absolutely totally screw up, contact your scheduler immediately and reschedule the shop! Don't cancel. Leave it up to the MSC to decide whether you can reshop the location. Some MSCs, it's just a matter of going to the website and requesting a reschedule date, but some MSCs, you have to e-mail or call the scheduler.
This is useful info if you're submitting the report and realize, "OMG, I didn't DO THAT!!", whether it's ordering the wrong food item, forgetting to take a photo, forgetting to check the restroom, or even just going before (or after) the correct time.
Or forgetting to get a receipt....
Do remember that if you absolutely totally screw up, contact your scheduler immediately and reschedule the shop! Don't cancel. Leave it up to the MSC to decide whether you can reshop the location. Some MSCs, it's just a matter of going to the website and requesting a reschedule date, but some MSCs, you have to e-mail or call the scheduler.
This is useful info if you're submitting the report and realize, "OMG, I didn't DO THAT!!", whether it's ordering the wrong food item, forgetting to take a photo, forgetting to check the restroom, or even just going before (or after) the correct time.
Or forgetting to get a receipt....
@Trixie14 wrote:
The msc is 360 Intel. The fee is 10.00 no reimbursement it's for lunch. I have eaten at the restaurant twice before you order at the counter and then foood is brought to your table. Going by myself so I can keep my total to $8.00.
Thanks for everyone's input.
If you are ordering at a counter, they will probably ask how long the line is and how long you had to wait to reach the counter and time until your order was delivered to your table.
Often times, you may be required to order a specific item from the menu, and other times you can order whatever you want up to the reimbursement amount . You can spend more if you don't mind paying out of your shop pay or you own pocket, just make sure you aren't restricted to ordering only a specific item.
From the $8 total, I'd guess you are talking about a fast food chain. McDonalds, Sonic, Jack in the Box and Arby's are all fast food chains I have shopped in the past. All have timing involved. I just use the stop watch on my phone and hit the lap button when each timing point is reached.
Are you signed up with Marketforce or Maritz? Those are 2 companies with easy shops.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/08/2018 03:06AM by JASFLALMT.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/08/2018 03:06AM by JASFLALMT.
Yes signed up with both. There is a wireless retail shop on Mf. Not much detail on what exactly you do. Maritz has a bank card inquiry shop.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
My very first shop was a Printer shop. It paid $10. My outlay of cash was $1 and I bought a candy bar. 
The Marketforce wireless retail shops are very easy. However, POV is a business card and I've found that many of the shops don't have business cards. I have them write down their name and number along with two phones they suggested.
I've also found many of the employees don't know the store's phone numbers and have called their cell to get the caller ID.
I've also found many of the employees don't know the store's phone numbers and have called their cell to get the caller ID.
Both of thise shops are super easy.
@Trixie14 wrote:
Yes signed up with both. There is a wireless retail shop on Mf. Not much detail on what exactly you do. Maritz has a bank card inquiry shop.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Trixie, Marketforce is one of the MSCs that won't allow access to the shop guidelines until after you are assigned the shop.
On the plus side, their guidelines are NORMALLY clear and concise.
On the plus side, their guidelines are NORMALLY clear and concise.
Yes I noticed that and that's why I was hesitant to accept the shop are wireless retail shops where one inquire about buying a phone I'm really not too savvy about all the different types of wireless devices. I have a very basic inexpensive smartphone.
@Trixie14 wrote:
Yes I noticed that and that's why I was hesitant to accept the shop are wireless retail shops where one inquire about buying a phone I'm really not too savvy about all the different types of wireless devices. I have a very basic inexpensive smartphone.
That's part of the shop. Have them tell you about the service and suggest a phone that would be suitable to your needs.
Trixie14, it's a bigger issue if you are like some of us and know more about the phones than the associate who is supposed to be selling them to us. With a few exceptions, we are supposed to play dumb to allow associates to educate us on the features and benefits of the product.
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.
Trixie..I'm not completely new to shopping but I am new to market force...I've completed about a handful of the phone shops and have liked them alot..one thing like a couple people have said is your not trying to converse with them in great detail about the phone themselves..I recommend just signing up for one and see if you like it. I was a bit leery too but have enjoyed them...
Just as a side note about 97 percent of shops will require a photo..so don't let that deter you if you see that requirement
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2018 06:21AM by dawnhu.
Just as a side note about 97 percent of shops will require a photo..so don't let that deter you if you see that requirement
Shopping Idaho and Oregon/Idaho border region.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2018 06:21AM by dawnhu.
I started with MF and went to all the phone shops in a 30 mile radius. Worked out well because I was shopping for a new phone. I never brought my phone in because the shop was my phone service. Bad thing was I had a problem with my phone so when I went back to the store I knew it would be my last “shop” day. Plus there was always 1 associate in the shop and I knew that he recognized me... Have fun!
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