What company did you do your FIRST hotel shop with?
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Coyle, many years ago, haven't done a hotel for them in ages, work with Data Quest and BBB solutions, but haven't done hotels lately.
Live consciously....
ACL because they had a chain where I could bring my dog along and also had a small kitchen. That is my kind of vacation where I don't have to get up and get dressed and go out for all three meals a day.
Edited to add: In defense of no fees these were easy reports as these places had no amenities to report on. I did a series or 2 and 3 night vacays with my husband and dog...one to Temecula Wine Country and Huntington Beach Ca and another to San Diego at 2 locations close to each other and a third night in Carlsbad not far away, a third trip was 2 overnights in Fresno with a trip to Yosemite in between that was not a shop. That way we could arrive at Yosemite early in the day and leave late and only have a relatively short drive. Doing a hotel shop purely as a shop I would want a fee.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/2019 09:30PM by sandyf.
Edited to add: In defense of no fees these were easy reports as these places had no amenities to report on. I did a series or 2 and 3 night vacays with my husband and dog...one to Temecula Wine Country and Huntington Beach Ca and another to San Diego at 2 locations close to each other and a third night in Carlsbad not far away, a third trip was 2 overnights in Fresno with a trip to Yosemite in between that was not a shop. That way we could arrive at Yosemite early in the day and leave late and only have a relatively short drive. Doing a hotel shop purely as a shop I would want a fee.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/2019 09:30PM by sandyf.
B Business Solutions maaaaaany years ago as a youthful, innocent, doe eyed shopper just trying to save a buck for exchanging my time while I had a place to stay by the time the night was done because this was during a time BEFORE Uber became a thing....
It was a great experience. I got over my head though because I also used the hotel as a tool to go out downtown with friends that evening. So finishing out the shop the next morning with a massive hangover was a reminder that I can have some fun while working, but to not go overboard.
It was a great experience. I got over my head though because I also used the hotel as a tool to go out downtown with friends that evening. So finishing out the shop the next morning with a massive hangover was a reminder that I can have some fun while working, but to not go overboard.
Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!
Spot Check Services - no longer exists. Became part of mysteryshoppingcanada I think
My first, Freeman, was also my last.
Bestmark. What was cool was dinner was served in the lobby for free. What wasn't was that an employee who covered many of the tasks that I needed to do did not wear a name tag and a description was not enough. I was denied pay.Make sure to get names, and I would say, of everyone in the area at all times because they might be serving you later and not wearing a name tag. The worst part is that I felt that I probably knew his name because I recognized his voice as he had made my room reservation over the phone.
My first hotel shop was very early in my mystery shopper adventures. I didn't know any better, so when a company that is now out of business asked me to do a three day hotel shop in Vegas, complete with meal vouchers, I jumped on the opportunity. It wasn't until much later that I found out about Nevada's shopping laws, and that the company didn't care if I was caught shopping without a license as long as they got the report. I have done quite a few hotel shops since then, but I haven't done one in Nevada since I became educated about their laws regarding mystery shoppers.
Regal Hospitality was my first. I did several for LRA after that, then Coyle. I have heard Buckalew has some pretty easy ones. I only do hotel shops that pay a fee of some sort, so I don't do ACL hotel shops.
@LindaM wrote:
Is LRA still in business??
Yes.
Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!
Interesting- I signed up with them many years ago but have never seen any shops on their sassie board.
So long ago that I do not remember the name of the company. But, I do remember that the report had to be written in the third person. Someone here will know that name and supply it, I am sure. I did about six for them before I just got fed up with the style requirement. But, I have done tons of others since then.
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 think Coyle was my first. If not, then bestmark. I did two shops for them the same month, just not sure which one came first.
Both were a good experience. They fed me and paid me.
Both were a good experience. They fed me and paid me.
DataQuest was my first. My experiences with them were positive, but they pay less than some others. I mainly work with BBS and Buckalew for hotels now.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/29/2019 10:58PM by RedRose22.
Happily shopping the Pacific Northwest. Shopping since 2013 
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/29/2019 10:58PM by RedRose22.
@walesmaven wrote:
So long ago that I do not remember the name of the company. But, I do remember that the report had to be written in the third person. Someone here will know that name and supply it, I am sure. I did about six for them before I just got fed up with the style requirement. But, I have done tons of others since then.
Five Diamond Hospitality?
Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!
by the way, great way to get everyone to spill the beans on their favorite hotel msc ; )
Not 5 Diamond. I have never worked for 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.
OA - Orilio and Associates - it was a fine experience, but they later went out of business and left a lot of people owed a lot of money. Billy Orilio is still around, and still doing shops - but through other people now.
LindaM,
I have not noticed any answers that tell about favorite hotel MSCs. Anyway, what one loves, another will hate.
I have not noticed any answers that tell about favorite hotel MSCs. Anyway, what one loves, another will hate.
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.
We're OK, because no Clients (Hotel chains) are being mentioned...only MSCs, and like the poster above said, a particular MSC loved by one will be dismissed by another. Each must find what works best for them.@LindaM wrote:
by the way, great way to get everyone to spill the beans on their favorite hotel msc ; )
Freeman, and they still owe me $80. They closed unexpectedly. Signed, Night Owl at 10:03 pm
I'm really just interested in everyone's experience. I know some people love them, and some people love to hate on them.
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