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Is this safe?

June 06, 2012 12:12PM
I just did my first 2 Mystery Shops. They were each for big name car dealerships. One was fairly upbeat, the other not so much. In both cases, the salesmen copied my drivers license (for the test drive). Both salesmen will easily figure out who wrote the Shop report, based on the day as well as my specific comments. So -- should I be worried that an irate salesman might track me down? Can I get into legal trouble for writing negative things even if they are factual?
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June 06, 2012 01:15PM
I have done scores of shops where my DL was copied and have never had an issue. Could it happen? Sure. Does it happen often? I think not, since we hear little about such things on either of the two main forums. Remember, few clients show the actual report to the target.

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.


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/06/2012 03:50PM by walesmaven.
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June 06, 2012 03:12PM
This is something that when it happens, shoppers run screaming to forums and we hear of an issue with direct followup with a shopper very rarely. Car dealerships, apartment shops and some other types of salespeople are SUPPOSED to follow up with you--it is part of their job. This does not mean they have identified you as a shopper but rather they are still trying to get your business. If someone follows up with me irate I would certainly let my scheduler know.

A more serious issue with the driver's license at the dealership is that your information is now in their database and can/will be pulled up if/when you return to the dealership for a shop or personal visit. This makes it somewhat difficult to do repeat shops, so be prepared with a song and dance next time you do a shop with an appropriate reason why you are back after such a short/long period of time. You will also be solicited by phone and mail to buy a car from them so be prepared. My cover story is I went on and got the truck repaired and now it is running like a top, but I will be 'sure' to look you up when I finally decide to change vehicles in a few years.
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June 07, 2012 03:30PM
Many thanks. I was careful to keep my reports factual. But some of things I wrote could get the sales rep a reprimand.

Walesmaven: I worked at a big name store over the holidays. We were frequently Mystery Shopped and always told the results of a Shop. Whatever the client company provided to the store was actually POSTED on the bulletin board in the stock room. We did not see the name of the Mystery Shopper but did see the comments. So, actually, all the employees could read the write-ups and that did include the names of specific salesmen who interacted with the Shopper.

Flash: VERY GOOD POINT! It didn’t dawn on me that a big name dealership would add my DL info (name, address, etc) into their own database. This tells me that I really can’t do any more shops at that same chain, even if it’s a different city.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/09/2012 01:04PM by ShopperGuy2.
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