Just did a dinner shop, probably will never do it again
So the instructions for this shop say no to go containers or doggie bags. What I am wondering is if they mean we can't order to go, but are only allow to take leftovers. I just find it hard to imagine this makes any sense.
@shopaholic1 wrote:
So the instructions for this shop say no to go containers or doggie bags. What I am wondering is if they mean we can't order to go, but are only allow to take leftovers. I just find it hard to imagine this makes any sense.
Coyle is very specific as to not take home any leftover. There is no mistaking order-to-go vs leftovers.
Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@
~Polish Proverb~
~Polish Proverb~
@HonnyBrown OMG. This is so funny to me 
@cubbiecat wrote:
@shopaholic1 wrote:
So the instructions for this shop say no to go containers or doggie bags. What I am wondering is if they mean we can't order to go, but are only allow to take leftovers. I just find it hard to imagine this makes any sense.
Coyle is very specific as to not take home any leftover. There is no mistaking order-to-go vs leftovers.
Welp what a waste of food. Not sure how taking home left overs compromises us as shoppers.
I made the mistake of doing it one time on a Coyle assignment. It was not a high end restaurant at all more like family casual. Thankfully they just called it to my attention. I wasn't even asked the server boxed everything up and brought it back for me.
Shopaholic, it isn’t getting the leftovers that the MSC is worried about - it’s the overordering “because we can just take it home” which could both out you as a shopper and annoy the client. (I don’t agree, but this is what one MSC owner told me.) On a similar note some MSCs or clients always prohibit ordering the most expensive item. I likewise think this is foolish as a blanket policy - but I don’t set the rules here.
@NinS wrote:
Shopaholic, it isn’t getting the leftovers that the MSC is worried about - it’s the overordering “because we can just take it home” which could both out you as a shopper and annoy the client. (I don’t agree, but this is what one MSC owner told me.) On a similar note some MSCs or clients always prohibit ordering the most expensive item. I likewise think this is foolish as a blanket policy - but I don’t set the rules here.
See that makes sense, but they set restrictions in place so we can't over due it anyway. One entree per person, one app for both, and one dessert. Wouldn't these restrictions make it so people can't over due it. We had a fair amount of food left over and the waiter seemed confused that we didnt want to take any home.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/18/2020 05:46PM by shopaholic1.
Most of the nicer places I have eaten in on a mystery shop have a minimum of one entree per person and app and dessert to share but above and beyond ordering the minimum you can order whatever you like as long as you pay for it above the reimbursement amt. I have never been to a nicer restaurant where I could squeeze something else in under the reimbursement. I guess I do not shop for the more generous msc's.
Coyle reports take me around five hours. Now that it been so long since I've done one, I have no idea how I ever thought this was a good idea. I won't be doing those again.
Niner, I agree totally. It makes more sense to me to do 5 minute postal shops and save the money to eat out on my own with no report and a relaxing evening.
*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
I used to do a lot of them as well! It was like a bad addiction - the excitement, the trip and then the crash! Now that I’ve sobered up, I don’t know what I was thinking either.
I remember telling you it was not worth it when you were entering them on your phone.@Niner wrote:
Coyle reports take me around five hours. Now that it been so long since I've done one, I have no idea how I ever thought this was a good idea. I won't be doing those again.
@SoCalMama wrote:
I remember telling you it was not worth it when you were entering them on your phone.@Niner wrote:
Coyle reports take me around five hours. Now that it been so long since I've done one, I have no idea how I ever thought this was a good idea. I won't be doing those again.
I used a laptop and it took at least five hours. As a lawyer, I'm used to writing lengthy documents, so that part wasn't new. It worked out to around $50/hr after tax, so I was okay with it. Now, with the increase in my work, I don't have the luxury of that kind of time. I would need to earn around $500 for a $250 meal. After taxes, medicare, and social security, around half of my paycheck evaporates. So, it seemed worth it. Now, no way.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/21/2020 06:05PM by Niner.
I don't know what you're writing, but I have never spent more than 90 minutes (Usually less) and have never received under a 90 as a score if I am correct. Pay is the same. 90 minutes versus 5 hours. Huge waste of your time, especially with the new "one and done" scheduling.I am lucky to type 30-40 WPM. MickeyB is my hero. They type like the Tasmanian Devil.@Niner wrote:
@SoCalMama wrote:
I remember telling you it was not worth it when you were entering them on your phone.@Niner wrote:
Coyle reports take me around five hours. Now that it been so long since I've done one, I have no idea how I ever thought this was a good idea. I won't be doing those again.
I used a laptop and it took at least five hours. As a lawyer, I'm used to writing lengthy documents, so that part wasn't new. It worked out to around $50/hr after tax, so I was okay with it. Now, with the increase in my work, I don't have the luxury of that kind of time. I would need to earn around $500 for a $250 meal. After taxes, medicare, and social security, around half of my paycheck evaporates. So, it seemed worth it. Now, no way.
I and the rest of us slowpokes need a class in how to write a fine dining report in 90 minutes or less. I do not work for Coyle but most fine dining reports take me over 2 hours. From what i read i would be closer to the 5 hour group Niner is in with one of theirs.
Anyone want to give pointers? I type slowly, my memory of exact quotes is terrible so i have to note them down and then look them up. Timing of food brought to the table takes a long time to reconstruct for me too. Voluminous notes is my nemesis. .
Anyone want to give pointers? I type slowly, my memory of exact quotes is terrible so i have to note them down and then look them up. Timing of food brought to the table takes a long time to reconstruct for me too. Voluminous notes is my nemesis. .
@SoCalMama wrote:
I don't know what you're writing, but I have never spent more than 90 minutes (Usually less) and have never received under a 90 as a score if I am correct. Pay is the same. 90 minutes versus 5 hours. Huge waste of your time, especially with the new "one and done" scheduling.I am lucky to type 30-40 WPM. MickeyB is my hero. They type like the Tasmanian Devil.@Niner wrote:
@SoCalMama wrote:
I remember telling you it was not worth it when you were entering them on your phone.@Niner wrote:
Coyle reports take me around five hours. Now that it been so long since I've done one, I have no idea how I ever thought this was a good idea. I won't be doing those again.
I used a laptop and it took at least five hours. As a lawyer, I'm used to writing lengthy documents, so that part wasn't new. It worked out to around $50/hr after tax, so I was okay with it. Now, with the increase in my work, I don't have the luxury of that kind of time. I would need to earn around $500 for a $250 meal. After taxes, medicare, and social security, around half of my paycheck evaporates. So, it seemed worth it. Now, no way.
No pointers from me. The last dining report for Coyle that I did took me all day and it was a burger place....really good burger place, but still. I was much more aggressive in my earlier mystery shopping day. I would try anything then and had some great and really funny experiences, but I'm over the stress of the reports.
*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
Regarding fine dining establishments, the portion sizes are usually smallish so it would be hard to justify getting a doggie bag.
If you want a doggy bag go to the Outback Steakhouse and fill up with the ‘free’ loaves of bread.
Morally a lot of people don’t agree with unnecessary food waste. So, I’m sure even the super rich have been known to ask for a doggy bag even if it for their dog....
(Personally, I don’t agree with people doing fast food shops and throwing the food away after taking a bite. I think there are environmental and social responsibilities we need to consider before intentionally wasting food).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/01/2020 10:52PM by Book.
If you want a doggy bag go to the Outback Steakhouse and fill up with the ‘free’ loaves of bread.
Morally a lot of people don’t agree with unnecessary food waste. So, I’m sure even the super rich have been known to ask for a doggy bag even if it for their dog....
(Personally, I don’t agree with people doing fast food shops and throwing the food away after taking a bite. I think there are environmental and social responsibilities we need to consider before intentionally wasting food).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/01/2020 10:52PM by Book.
Book, I see where you’re coming from, but I don’t think society would benefit from the health care impact that would be caused if I ate every fry on every fast food shop. Society is far better off with my donating a portion of the hefty bonuses to food banks. And the environment would be worse off if another shopper ordered and ate burgers instead of the meatless options I usually go with.
I think they do this so you will not order more than you can eat at one setting.............thus you limit your order to a smaller amount and SAVE them money since you are not over ordering in order to meet the max reimbursement. I think this stinks as I would order as much as I could and take the leftovers home. I consider the max a shopper right. I think this calls for a stealth doggie bag in your purse.................no lectures please 
I find an appetizer, 2 entrees, sides, and a dessert more than I or my husband could ever eat in one sitting. Most of my restaurant shops require some derivative of this.
I don't know how many people go to restaurants and order that much food.. I typically don't.
I don't know how many people go to restaurants and order that much food.. I typically don't.
@kenasch wrote:
Let’s not forget it’s a “doggy bag”. I also know plenty of wealthy folks who bring home leftovers for their dog particularly if there is a large bone involved.
I once had a server sneer at me for taking home the bone from a marrow order. The most literal doggy bag item you could get.
I don't have a dog though. I wanted it for soup.
@1cent wrote:
I once had a server sneer at me for taking home the bone from a marrow order. The most literal doggy bag item you could get.
I don't have a dog though. I wanted it for soup.
Wow, what restaurant serves marrow? Besides Osso Buco?
I put the timing on the notepad of my iPhone.
I email it to myself and have it on the right screen and the form on the left screen.
Takes about 90 minutes max, usually less.
I email it to myself and have it on the right screen and the form on the left screen.
Takes about 90 minutes max, usually less.
@sandyf wrote:
I and the rest of us slowpokes need a class in how to write a fine dining report in 90 minutes or less. I do not work for Coyle but most fine dining reports take me over 2 hours. From what i read i would be closer to the 5 hour group Niner is in with one of theirs.
Anyone want to give pointers? I type slowly, my memory of exact quotes is terrible so i have to note them down and then look them up. Timing of food brought to the table takes a long time to reconstruct for me too. Voluminous notes is my nemesis. .
@SoCalMama wrote:
I don't know what you're writing, but I have never spent more than 90 minutes (Usually less) and have never received under a 90 as a score if I am correct. Pay is the same. 90 minutes versus 5 hours. Huge waste of your time, especially with the new "one and done" scheduling.I am lucky to type 30-40 WPM. MickeyB is my hero. They type like the Tasmanian Devil.@Niner wrote:
@SoCalMama wrote:
I remember telling you it was not worth it when you were entering them on your phone.@Niner wrote:
Coyle reports take me around five hours. Now that it been so long since I've done one, I have no idea how I ever thought this was a good idea. I won't be doing those again.
I used a laptop and it took at least five hours. As a lawyer, I'm used to writing lengthy documents, so that part wasn't new. It worked out to around $50/hr after tax, so I was okay with it. Now, with the increase in my work, I don't have the luxury of that kind of time. I would need to earn around $500 for a $250 meal. After taxes, medicare, and social security, around half of my paycheck evaporates. So, it seemed worth it. Now, no way.
@Susan L. wrote:
@1cent wrote:
I once had a server sneer at me for taking home the bone from a marrow order. The most literal doggy bag item you could get.
I don't have a dog though. I wanted it for soup.
Wow, what restaurant serves marrow? Besides Osso Buco?
There was a moment where it was a required item on NYC menus. Still pretty common at meat-centered or French influenced restaurants. Typically just roasted and served with bread. It's harder to find good osso buco, honestly. Probably because I don't really know Italian restaurants all that well.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/2020 05:56AM by 1cent.
For portion control reasons, I don't eat an entire meal in one sitting. I also don't take home all of my leftovers.
I work for cash and I do a lot of bonused burger shops. When the schedulers get desperate, I can do up to 7 or 8 in one round.
There is no way I am eating all of those fries! They go right in the trash before I get in my car.
To balance my karma, I volunteer at a food bank on a regular basis.
I work for cash and I do a lot of bonused burger shops. When the schedulers get desperate, I can do up to 7 or 8 in one round.
There is no way I am eating all of those fries! They go right in the trash before I get in my car.
To balance my karma, I volunteer at a food bank on a regular basis.
@NinS wrote:
Book, I see where you’re coming from, but I don’t think society would benefit from the health care impact that would be caused if I ate every fry on every fast food shop. Society is far better off with my donating a portion of the hefty bonuses to food banks. And the environment would be worse off if another shopper ordered and ate burgers instead of the meatless options I usually go with.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
To my knowledge, I think Coyle is the only one that has this rule. Frankly they are a bit old school. It would benefit them and their clients to be a little more flexible, in my opinion. Allow taking food home... allow kids on their hotel shops... etc.
But in the end, it’s their company and business.
But in the end, it’s their company and business.
I type 80-90 wpm and it takes me 4-5 hours for a Coyle report. i would be thrilled if I could cut it down to 2-3 hours, never mind 90 minutes.
Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@
~Polish Proverb~
~Polish Proverb~
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