I have applied for this shop several times and not been awarded it. Seems like they had some problems this month as they added a second shop about 10 days ago. That was awarded and then Thursday an urgent message went out that they needed a shopper this Friday, Saturday or Sunday. So I applied for the next one on the job board.

Sorry it's a little long. Thanks in advance for any responses.

My questions are in caps and the descriptions from the job board are in normal font. Here are my questions.

1:, AM I ALLOWED A GUEST TO ACCOMPANY ME?

2: CAN I INCLUDE MY GUEST'S MEALS IN MY MEAL AND BEVERAGE REIMBURSEMENT?

3: CAN I GAMBLE WITH MY OWN MONEY WHEN I'M NOT ACTUALLY DOING THE MYSTERY SHOP?

4:: IF I HAVE TO EVALUATE ALL THREE SHIFTS, DOES IT MATTER HOW I SPLIT UP THE VARIOUS SHOPS?

OR DO I HAVE TO DO EACH PART OF THE SHOP IN EACH SHIFT PERIOD? IT SEEMS IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO SPLIT ONLY TWO SLOTS, ONE TABLE SESSION AND ONE SPORTS BET ACROSS THREE DIFFERENT SHIFTS. TOTAL REIMBURSEMENT SEEMS TO INDICATE I ONLY DO EACH PART ONCE.

5: CAN I KEEP ANY WINNINGS? I DID A CASINO SHOP FOR ANOTHER MSC AND HIT FOR $2000 AND THEY ALLOWED ME TO KEEP ALL THE WINNINGS. I BELIEVE I READ ON HERE THAT HS BRANDS LIMITS WHAT YOU CAN KEEP TO $500.

• $25 performance bonus
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET THIS BONUS ON TOP OF THE SHOPPER PAY?

Shift Times:
• Day Shift Times: 7am-3pm
• Swing Shift Times: 3pm-11pm
• Graveyard Shift Times: 11pm-7am

DO I EVALUATE ALL THREE SHIFTS?

Shopper Expenses:

- Bell Service Expenses: (if available)
Gratuity up to $10 ($5 upon arrival and $5 upon departure)

CAN I LEAVE MY BAG AT THE BELL DESK WHILE I GAMBLE BEFORE CHECK-IN TIME OR AFTER CHECK-OUT TIME, OR DO I HAVE THEM CARRY MY ONE OVERNIGHT BAG UP TO THE ROOM?

Food & Beverage Expenses:

Up to $150 Max including gratuity
- Farmers Market Express (Modified Buffet Experience)
- DraftKings Sportsbook Bar Bartender
- DraftKings Sportsbook Bar Casual Dining

IF I HAVE A GUEST, CAN THEIR MEALS/DRINKS BE PART OF WHAT I'M REIMBURSED OR WILL THEY ONLY REIMBURSE FOR ONE MEAL AND A SET NUMBER OF DRINKS FROM THE BARTENDER. IT WOULD BE FOOTBALL SEASON, AND I COULD PROBABLY DRINK A COUPLE IN THE THREE HOURS IT TAKES FOR THE GAME TO AIR.

Beverage Service
Up to $36 Max including gratuity ($10 per beverage plus up to $2 for gratuity)
- 2 Slot Beverages
- 1 Table Beverage

I CAN MILK $20 AT A SLOT MACHINE UNTIL I GET BEVERAGE SERVICE. BUT IF THE TABLE MINIMUM IS $25 AND I AM ONLY ALLOWED A $100 TABLE REIMBURSEMENT, I MIGHT NOT BE AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO EVEN SEE A COCKTAIL WAITRESS DEPENDING HOW BUSY IT IS. HOW DO YOU HANDLE THIS?

Gaming Expenses:
Up to $140 Max
- 2 Slot Attendants at $40 Max ($20 per slot)
I'M ASSUMING THEY MEAN I NEED TO PLAY TWO DIFFERENT SLOT MACHINES FOR UP TO $20 PER SLOT AND INTERACT WITH A SLOT ATTENDANT AT EACH MACHINE.

DOES VIDEO POKER COUNT AS A SLOT ATTENDANT INTERACTION?

- 1 Table Game at $100 Max
SEE BEVERAGE SERVICE ABOVE.

- Sportsbook at $10 Max
DOES THIS HAVE TO BE A SINGLE GAME BET OR CAN I MAKE A BET ON WHO WINS THE SUPERBOWL FOR EXAMPLE. OBVIOUSLY THAT TICKET WOULDN'T BE CASHED DURING A SEPTEMBER VISIT.

Max reimbursement is $740 Max

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/31/2022 08:10PM by wrosie.

This is too long for me to answer all your questions and I also think the scheduler has the final authority on all of these points.

A couple points- yes, your guest is covered up to the meal budget. You cannot gamble in between the shifts on your own. Besides, I also don’t think you’ll have that much time. I consider myself a fast typer but it’s difficult for me to stay on top of it sometimes. Also, correct- you can only keep $500 of winnings.

Sportsbook typically has to be something that's going to be redeemable during your visit. Or at least that's how it used to be.

Did you do this shop? How did it go? Now I'm curious....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/01/2022 02:07AM by Nikki21.

You're in luck. I happen to have a bit of time. I have done many, many of these, and I probably have done the one you are refering to a few times. Since you named the MSC, I cannot name the casino. HSB is one of my favorites. I have done thousands of their shops and at least a couple hundred of their casino resort shops.

1. Yes, it's better and more natural to have a guest, but brief your guest ahead of time.
2. Yes. The reimbursement with this MSC is reasonable. You can always pay if over.
3. No, absolutely not. You must complete your shop, check out, leave the building, and then return.
4. No, not unless specified. You must try to get interactions on each shift. Manage your interaction schedule so that you do not shop the same person twice. Occasionally that is unavoidable and okay.
5. You must return any winnings over the allowed amount.
6. Performance bonus is for submitting your report on time.
7. Bell Service: Yes arrive to valet at least a couple hours before check-in time, and have them hold bags at bell desk until you call for them. It's easier this way, and I always do it this way. A good valet will offer to get a bellman without you needing to ask.
8. Read your instructions a couple more times. Your shop is for you and a guest if you have one. Meal reimbursement is enough for both of you as long as you do not order the most expensive items on the menu. Sometimes your are allowed a drink for you and your guest, but stay within the maximum $$ allowed. Do NOT spend 3 hours at the bar! You will never finish all your interactions, and you will have to finish them after you check out.
9. $100 for 4 bets if you lose. Sometimes it happens. If you are the only one at the table, engage the dealer in conversation. If there are others at the table when you are out of $$, hang around and watch the game until you have made all required observations. Remember; your are there to work. It's just a lucky bonus if you win. Watch the cocktail servers and do not sit at the table until she is at the bar getting her drinks. If instructions permit, you can start a conversation with the pit boss by asking if the server has come by.
10. Yes, two slot machines in different areas. That way you will surely get two different servers.
11. Yes. Video poker is a slot machine.
12. Yes. I have always been allowed to bet any type of sports bet, but not a racebook bet. No, it does not matter if it is a bet on a game that will not be decided during your stay.

Read the instructions a few more times. Some of your questions are addressed in the instructions. Then go online and find out when the eateries and other places in the casino will be open. Make out your schedule. Know ahead of time approximately when you will perform each interaction, but be flexible enough to change your schedule or seize interactions of opportunity, such as a security person walking toward you on your way to the player's club booth. Do not make your interactions take any longer than they have to, or it will take longer to write your report. Good bye $25 bonus.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/01/2022 03:18AM by AZwolfman.

Let me clarify, I have not been assigned the shop so I can not refer to the guidelines. What I have posted is the job description from the job board.

Thanks AZwolfman, I appreciate you taking the time and being so thorough.

Oh come I see. Hopefully I gave you enough information so that now you know whether you want to apply for it or not. I have not done that shop since before the pandemic. So keep in mind that some instructions and reimbursements may have changed.

Yeah I did what I believe was their first three shift shop for an Indian casino. It appeared they were developing the report as I was doing the shop and providing feedback.

They would change the report on the fly. It was really frustrating. I would e-mail them and tell them for instance, the players club wasn't open during third shift. And they would remove it from the report.

I would complain that the dialog boxes were only one line long and I could only see half a sentence at a time. They never fixed this as I was doing the three reports, one for each shift. It was really frustrating.

They cancelled all three shops on me and I had to come out of pocket for everything, even the hotel. Because of this, I do believe I have a pretty good idea of what they want now.

Also, I've done plenty of Coyle fine dining shops and EPMS apartment shops so I'm familiar with excessive explanation requirements..

I did the hotel version of the Indian owned casino and I felt the same way I was helping them build the report. I ended up taking tons of photos because the requirements were out of whack. The hotel had just opened, no one had name tags that had names on them and chasing down the valet who doesn't even work for the hotel and saying hey what's your name? Doesn't scream mystery shopper? ????

I did get paid but I was texting and emailing scheduler throughout the entire thing. Thank goodness I had photos otherwise I don't think they would have believed me.

It was one of the most stressful shops I ever did!

@AZwolfman wrote:

Oh come I see. Hopefully I gave you enough information so that now you know whether you want to apply for it or not. I have not done that shop since before the pandemic. So keep in mind that some instructions and reimbursements may have changed.

I think wrosie owes you a tip from his/her winnings for your initial A++ response !

I am new to these forums but have been MS for about a year. I primarily do casino and fine dining. The reports are very detailed. I shop in MI and IN. My husband always goes with me. He helps to evaluate the men’s restroom and makes sure I get names/descriptions, table numbers, etc. Based on required interactions, this is not the same casino that I shop at, so the guidelines may differ.

1. You can bring a guest. They can personally gamble while you shop or they can help you get all the details you need.

2. All meal expenses are based on a max dollar amount, regardless if it is one or two people. If you do go over the max amount (which we have), submit the full receipt and only enter the max reimbursement amount into the expense form.

3. You cannot personally gamble until the entire shop is complete. You must then leave the property. You may return and then play at that point.

4. It appears that this is an overnight shop. If it is, you do need to spread your interactions out over multiple shift times such that you try not to repeat employees. You do not have to repeat EACH interaction during each sift period. I usually make myself a schedule of what I am going to do during a time range and base it around the multitude of F&B interactions (up to 8 in my case). It takes some planning with what times restaurants are open. If it is not an overnight visit, then you are assigned one shift time to complete all interactions. It is then easiest if you move to opposite sides of the casino for each slot, etc.

5. You do get to keep up to $500. Anything above that must be returned.

6. The performance bonus is if you complete all interactions and submit on time. I have received that even the one time I had edits to make.

7. You can leave your bag at the bell desk. I have also self-parked in the garage (to answer that part of the evaluation) prior to check-in time. Then had lunch at a restaurant, completed some interactions, etc. Then I moved the car valet for that interaction and checked into the hotel.

8. My guidelines specified 1 beverage per person up to a total of $25, including tax and gratuity. You can purchase extra, but put them on a separate check and they will NOT be reimbursed. The easiest way to go about it is to close out after each round.

9. With beverage servers, my guidelines said I must wait no more than 20 minutes for a beverage server, then mark all questions as NO. If you find yourself running out of money at a table and still no beverage server, I recommend sitting out a hand or two. You can stay seated and just say you want to sit out for a minute or you can stand up, just behind your chair, and get on your cell phone (since you can’t use them while seated). That gives you time to scan the area for a beverage server and to waste time without gambling all your money. If there is no time limit on your shop, you can just stand up, stand by the table, and watch the game until your interactions are done.

10. Yes. You will need to play 2 different slot machines, usually in different areas of the casino and/or different shifts in an effort to interact with different slot attendants and beverage servers.

11. Video Poker is considered a slot machine.

12. You should make one bet, up to $10. It does not matter when the event takes place.

I just have one unrelated question. For those who done many casino shops if you hit really big did you just abandon shop and keep the entire winning?

@atan134340 wrote:

I just have one unrelated question. For those who done many casino shops if you hit really big did you just abandon shop and keep the entire winning?

I was never that lucky but have heard of shoppers doing this. If I win $50,000, it's time to flake. But decide ahead of time your breakout point.

@atan134340 wrote:

I just have one unrelated question. For those who done many casino shops if you hit really big did you just abandon shop and keep the entire winning?

Yeah, I'll tale two hours to fill out the report to make $125 and give back the $2000 I just won.

@atan134340 wrote:

I just have one unrelated question. For those who done many casino shops if you hit really big did you just abandon shop and keep the entire winning?

I have not won big...once about $400. I keep gambling amounts to the minimum just to get the shop done. But, I probably would abandon if I won a large pot. I wait to personally gamble once the shop is finished.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/15/2022 01:31PM by ladyvwbug.

I've decided since I've had problems with HS Brands payments recently, I don't want to risk $700 in the hopes of getting it paid back. They screwed me once on it. The scheduler said she's not the same one. But I don't have $700 to flush down the drain along with a 3 hour round trip drive.

Add that to the fact that they were scrambling for the last two weeks of last month trying to get someone to pick up the shop, I'm guessing whoever did it, didn't do it "properly" enough to get the shop report to be accepted which means no pay.

Several yrs, back, as there is a racino in my hometown and another a scant 32 miles south, in addition to two casinos within 60 miles, I considered this type of job. The three downsides for me were that I am not a gambler, the risk:reward ratio was unfavorable and the pay was unacceptable for the work requirements. It is again, slightly modified, that old adage, "What's one shopper meat, is another's poison."

My motto is, "Never mix gambling with work, unless you are using your employer's or client's money."

@AZwolfman wrote:

My motto is, "Never mix gambling with work, unless you are using your employer's or client's money."

You're absolutely not allowed to gamble during your shop outside of the requirements. The guidelines specifically say you have to leave and then come back to differentiate the shop from personal gambling.

Exactly. So if I gamble while working, the boss is fronting my bankroll and sometimes telling me which games to play. But I can go into a casino and gamble any other time I want, so why not do as my boss says?

The problem as I'm seeing it right now is a bankroll of $100 at a table game where the minimum bet is $25 and the bankroll for slots is $40 ($20 each at two slots), the bankroll is not nearly big enough.

You have to do two employee interactions at each slot machine, a slot attendant and a beverage server.

Even penny slots are actually about $0.88 MINIMUM per spin so you'd have to play VERY slowly.

You have to interact with the the dealer and a server at the table game, and possibly the pit boss.

Oh, and you have to split this over 3 different shifts!

@wrosie wrote:

The problem as I'm seeing it right now is a bankroll of $100 at a table game where the minimum bet is $25 and the bankroll for slots is $40 ($20 each at two slots), the bankroll is not nearly big enough.

You have to do two employee interactions at each slot machine, a slot attendant and a beverage server.

Even penny slots are actually about $0.88 MINIMUM per spin so you'd have to play VERY slowly.

You have to interact with the the dealer and a server at the table game, and possibly the pit boss.

Oh, and you have to split this over 3 different shifts!

I normally play quarter slots and play one credit at a time. You can interact with a slot attendant by triggering the help button. You can sit there and play slowly and hope you get a beverage attendant. I've never seen a $25 table minimum. Everything I've seen is usually $10. But again, you can watch and observe and you don't have to play every hand. If your strategic about it, it should be enough or close.

I found the $100 gambling allotment to be too low as well. Most tables in AC, NJ had a $25 minimum..so for 3 card poker you'd be putting up $75 for one hand..passed on that one. I found a Let It Ride table with a $10 minimum, so it was ONLY $30 a hand. Luckily I won a little and was able to bide my time. The shop I did was a bit different than what are being done now. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was able to gamble while doing the shop without my card in the machines. (company approved) It was mostly photos of Covid protocols. Sadly they ended...or gladly?? I would jump at the chance to do those again. Two nights, 3 meals a day (too much food) very little narrative, plus pay and reimbursement...and I did win some $$. I won't do the regular ones..way too much involved for me.

The best way to stretch your bankroll or milk the clock at a table is to play Pai Gow. The game is slower, and many of the hands are pushes.

Are there any training videos on this? I am curious but the thought of not being reimbursed because of missing info scares me.

@AZwolfman wrote:

The best way to stretch your bankroll or milk the clock at a table is to play Pai Gow. The game is slower, and many of the hands are pushes.

Great point! Although I haven't seen it available in every casino I've been to. It's a fun game and the dealer does all the work or at least most of it.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/24/2022 06:22PM by foodluvr.

@foodluvr wrote:

@AZwolfman wrote:

The best way to stretch your bankroll or milk the clock at a table is to play Pai Gow. The game is slower, and many of the hands are pushes.

Great point! Although I haven't seen it available in every casino I've been to. It's a fun game and the dealer does all the work or at least most of it.

If I recall from playing it years ago, the slow pace also makes it a very social game as players have time to talk with each other.

@wrosie wrote:

@foodluvr wrote:

@AZwolfman wrote:

The best way to stretch your bankroll or milk the clock at a table is to play Pai Gow. The game is slower, and many of the hands are pushes.

Great point! Although I haven't seen it available in every casino I've been to. It's a fun game and the dealer does all the work or at least most of it.

If I recall from playing it years ago, the slow pace also makes it a very social game as players have time to talk with each other.

Yes, it's very social although a lot of people don't know how to play it so it's a little bit of a mystery until people get a chance to give it a try. Very popular in Asia!

The gambling bankroll and time requirements is a tough problem. Some tips to get around this are - Choose your games wisely. Blackjack is not conducive to the assignment because it goes too fast. Choose craps where there's a lot of people, or roulette (again at a full table). Not only do these games go slower but you can fly under the radar sitting out a "hand" without anyone really notice. Like play roulette but sit out every other spin. Slots - choose the cheapest slots and play suuuuper slow. It stinks. Press a button. Do nothing but stare around for a minute or two. Press a button. Penny slots might not necessarily be the cheapest because you have to play multiple lines but if you choose quarter slots you might be able to get away with just one credit. Remember that your primary goal is not gambling or getting the best odds, you are there for the evaluation. Table minimums - go in the morning, during the day, or on weeknights to find smaller minimums. Weekends and evenings are going to be the higher minimums. I also don't like that you have to order a drink at the table, then stay long enough for them to come back a second time. If I'm at a table it's not easy to figure out how to dispose the drink so that the server offers you another round.

I don't do these anymore; the gambling parts are just way too much work and uncomfortable/embarrassing to me. Getting the extra credit card points for high spending at the hotels and restaurants was nice but the cash pay just wasn't worth it. Wish I could do it without the gambling!