Auditing?
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The basics that seem to stay the same, they are announced and they require digital photographs. Beyond that it is going to depend on the type of audit and the MSC. Market Force has a gas station audit requiring 11 basic photographs and additional pics to support "no" answers. CORI has one that requires a photo of every pump so it can easily go 20 to 25 photos before you even get to issues that have to be documented.
Audits generally take longer than mystery shops because you have more to check and document along with the additional time you spend with a manager. A good rule of thumb is 30 to 60 minutes and figure on them taking much longer in the beginning. Once you have a rhythm down and if you are comfortable with taking photos, they get much quicker.
Audits generally take longer than mystery shops because you have more to check and document along with the additional time you spend with a manager. A good rule of thumb is 30 to 60 minutes and figure on them taking much longer in the beginning. Once you have a rhythm down and if you are comfortable with taking photos, they get much quicker.
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.
I've done quite a few audits and find them pretty routine and easy now.
I do small audits. I don't like Kmart/SEars or department store audits. They require 3 to 4 hours and the shopper is looking at prices that don't match your guidelines or prices in "your"inventory sheet. Which can be more than one hundred items.. 
beyoden Wrote:
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> I've done a handfull of mystery shops, but now I
> see a lot of postings for auditing assignments.
> I'm not quite sure what all this entails and don't
> want to commit to something that isn't worth my
> time. Pay aside, what should I expect to have to
> do for an audit? I'm just a bit intimidated at
> the thought of doing it for the first time.
> Thanks!
>
> BeyoDen
>
> North Jersey
I know just how you feel. I was nervous about each new thing I did. I was even nervous to take the test to get certified to eat at McDonald's! I've done several grocery stores audits that mainly just involve making sure that what they advertise is actually on the shelves, for the amount advertised and with a "sell by" date in the future. Now I'm nervous because I'm doing my first auto shop tomorrow. Then I'm doing a compliance audit at two stores -and i've never done that before. If I don't study my paperwork a little more thouroughly, I'll be wearing a dunce hat during the shop. Don't worry too much. Just read all instructions and do the best you can. We're not rocket scientists and this ain't no rocket science!!!! Good luck, fellow Jersey Girl!
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've done a handfull of mystery shops, but now I
> see a lot of postings for auditing assignments.
> I'm not quite sure what all this entails and don't
> want to commit to something that isn't worth my
> time. Pay aside, what should I expect to have to
> do for an audit? I'm just a bit intimidated at
> the thought of doing it for the first time.
> Thanks!
>
> BeyoDen
>
> North Jersey
I know just how you feel. I was nervous about each new thing I did. I was even nervous to take the test to get certified to eat at McDonald's! I've done several grocery stores audits that mainly just involve making sure that what they advertise is actually on the shelves, for the amount advertised and with a "sell by" date in the future. Now I'm nervous because I'm doing my first auto shop tomorrow. Then I'm doing a compliance audit at two stores -and i've never done that before. If I don't study my paperwork a little more thouroughly, I'll be wearing a dunce hat during the shop. Don't worry too much. Just read all instructions and do the best you can. We're not rocket scientists and this ain't no rocket science!!!! Good luck, fellow Jersey Girl!
D. Nordlinger
Southern Jersey Shore Shopper
Southern Jersey Shore Shopper
Can I take a friend with me to my store audit and will I be deactivated, if I fail to provide the client with 'good' pictures??
"For whatever a man sows that will he also reap"
Hello Readytowork. We had some back and forth on the forum earlier, and I said I would help you. It's good to see you've posted a question.
Whether you can take someone with you may be clarified in the guidelines, so I suggest you look there first. If you don't find anything, I suggest you call the mystery shopping company and ask them if you can take someone with you. Most of the time, we go alone when we do an audit or shop of any kind.
If acceptable pictures are not provided, the audit will not be accepted and the job will not be paid. Some companies will allow you to return to the location and do the audit again with fresh pictures. Again, the guidelines will tell you which pictures to take, and will usually provide examples of the pictures they want. You will be required to take pictures of specific things, and the picture will have to be clear and correctly lit. Fuzzy and/or dark pictures will not be acceptable. All pictures required must be provided. The absence of one required picture will cause the audit to be unacceptable.
Most companies will want the pictures to be sized to 640 x 480, and most cameras can be pre-set to take the pictures this size so you don't have to re-size them later. Some companies will require the date and time imprinted on the pictures, and will not accept your pictures if this imprint is not present.
If you are uncertain about your ability to take the required pictures and upload them, practice will help. Take similar pictures and practice uploading them to an email to yourself.
I have never heard of a shopper being deactivated for failing to provide good pictures. If your equipment and skills do not allow you to provide good pictures, the company would probably not assign you to any more jobs requiring pictures. Almost everything I do requires pictures. If you are interested in auditing, it would be good to develop your photographic skills before you take on the audits.
As long as the business being audited is not named in the same thread, you can mention the name of the mystery shopping company. As long as the mystery shopping company is not named in the same thread, you can mention the name of the business being audited.
Whether you can take someone with you may be clarified in the guidelines, so I suggest you look there first. If you don't find anything, I suggest you call the mystery shopping company and ask them if you can take someone with you. Most of the time, we go alone when we do an audit or shop of any kind.
If acceptable pictures are not provided, the audit will not be accepted and the job will not be paid. Some companies will allow you to return to the location and do the audit again with fresh pictures. Again, the guidelines will tell you which pictures to take, and will usually provide examples of the pictures they want. You will be required to take pictures of specific things, and the picture will have to be clear and correctly lit. Fuzzy and/or dark pictures will not be acceptable. All pictures required must be provided. The absence of one required picture will cause the audit to be unacceptable.
Most companies will want the pictures to be sized to 640 x 480, and most cameras can be pre-set to take the pictures this size so you don't have to re-size them later. Some companies will require the date and time imprinted on the pictures, and will not accept your pictures if this imprint is not present.
If you are uncertain about your ability to take the required pictures and upload them, practice will help. Take similar pictures and practice uploading them to an email to yourself.
I have never heard of a shopper being deactivated for failing to provide good pictures. If your equipment and skills do not allow you to provide good pictures, the company would probably not assign you to any more jobs requiring pictures. Almost everything I do requires pictures. If you are interested in auditing, it would be good to develop your photographic skills before you take on the audits.
As long as the business being audited is not named in the same thread, you can mention the name of the mystery shopping company. As long as the mystery shopping company is not named in the same thread, you can mention the name of the business being audited.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
MDavisnowell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hello Readytowork. We had some back and forth on
> the forum earlier, and I said I would help you.
> It's good to see you've posted a question.
>
> Whether you can take someone with you may be
> clarified in the guidelines, so I suggest you look
> there first. If you don't find anything, I
> suggest you call the mystery shopping company and
> ask them if you can take someone with you. Most
> of the time, we go alone when we do an audit or
> shop of any kind.
>
> If acceptable pictures are not provided, the
> audit will not be accepted and the job will not be
> paid. Some companies will allow you to return to
> the location and do the audit again with fresh
> pictures. Again, the guidelines will tell you
> which pictures to take, and will usually provide
> examples of the pictures they want. You will be
> required to take pictures of specific things, and
> the picture will have to be clear and correctly
> lit. Fuzzy and/or dark pictures will not be
> acceptable. All pictures required must be
> provided. The absence of one required picture
> will cause the audit to be unacceptable.
>
> Most companies will want the pictures to be sized
> to 640 x 480, and most cameras can be pre-set to
> take the pictures this size so you don't have to
> re-size them later. Some companies will require
> the date and time imprinted on the pictures, and
> will not accept your pictures if this imprint is
> not present.
>
> If you are uncertain about your ability to take
> the required pictures and upload them, practice
> will help. Take similar pictures and practice
> uploading them to an email to yourself.
>
> I have never heard of a shopper being deactivated
> for failing to provide good pictures. If your
> equipment and skills do not allow you to provide
> good pictures, the company would probably not
> assign you to any more jobs requiring pictures.
> Almost everything I do requires pictures. If you
> are interested in auditing, it would be good to
> develop your photographic skills before you take
> on the audits.
>
> As long as the business being audited is not named
> in the same thread, you can mention the name of
> the mystery shopping company. As long as the
> mystery shopping company is not named in the same
> thread, you can mention the name of the business
> being audited.
Thanks so much for all your advice...
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hello Readytowork. We had some back and forth on
> the forum earlier, and I said I would help you.
> It's good to see you've posted a question.
>
> Whether you can take someone with you may be
> clarified in the guidelines, so I suggest you look
> there first. If you don't find anything, I
> suggest you call the mystery shopping company and
> ask them if you can take someone with you. Most
> of the time, we go alone when we do an audit or
> shop of any kind.
>
> If acceptable pictures are not provided, the
> audit will not be accepted and the job will not be
> paid. Some companies will allow you to return to
> the location and do the audit again with fresh
> pictures. Again, the guidelines will tell you
> which pictures to take, and will usually provide
> examples of the pictures they want. You will be
> required to take pictures of specific things, and
> the picture will have to be clear and correctly
> lit. Fuzzy and/or dark pictures will not be
> acceptable. All pictures required must be
> provided. The absence of one required picture
> will cause the audit to be unacceptable.
>
> Most companies will want the pictures to be sized
> to 640 x 480, and most cameras can be pre-set to
> take the pictures this size so you don't have to
> re-size them later. Some companies will require
> the date and time imprinted on the pictures, and
> will not accept your pictures if this imprint is
> not present.
>
> If you are uncertain about your ability to take
> the required pictures and upload them, practice
> will help. Take similar pictures and practice
> uploading them to an email to yourself.
>
> I have never heard of a shopper being deactivated
> for failing to provide good pictures. If your
> equipment and skills do not allow you to provide
> good pictures, the company would probably not
> assign you to any more jobs requiring pictures.
> Almost everything I do requires pictures. If you
> are interested in auditing, it would be good to
> develop your photographic skills before you take
> on the audits.
>
> As long as the business being audited is not named
> in the same thread, you can mention the name of
> the mystery shopping company. As long as the
> mystery shopping company is not named in the same
> thread, you can mention the name of the business
> being audited.
Thanks so much for all your advice...
"For whatever a man sows that will he also reap"
The audits I won't do are the covert ones. Trying to get prices without getting caught is nerve wrecking! .
I am a "newbie" in the MS world ... And, I have decided to work with MarketForce .... Can anybody explain to me how to successfully complete their 'screenings,' prior to receiving a shop? I cannot seem to 'pass' those stupid "yes/no" statements/questions .... HELP!!
"For whatever a man sows that will he also reap"
I'm not sure that this will be much help to you, but read the questions very carefully before marking your answer. Then go back and double-check before submitting. Once in the past, I clicked "yes" that I had a special diet (when I do not) and of course I was disqualified from the fast food shop I wanted. It taught me to be careful. The pre-assignment questions are not difficult and perhaps you are missing some of the information in them. There is no special trick to passing them that I can offer you. Just go slow and make very sure before submitting.
Take your time on the test. Some of the questions are not what they seem to be.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
I did a covert audit last week for a drugstore. My first one had been successful, but exhausting. The next day, I went to another location, and after 45 minutes the manager approached me and asked to see my "letter of authorization" because she said I was "spending too much time looking at the products." I said "I don't know what the letter is. Am I not allowed to shop and look at the products?" She said "No, you are taking too much time." Wow! I said "Are you asking me to leave?" and she said yes. So I politely walked out.
Once I got in my car, I thought "Well now codybodd, that was absolutely ridiculous."
I'm thinking covert price auditing is not for me... :-O
Once I got in my car, I thought "Well now codybodd, that was absolutely ridiculous."
I'm thinking covert price auditing is not for me... :-O
Silver; not sure it matters
Wow Cody! That was just rude of that manager. You did right though by asking if she wants you to leave. Can you mention that in the form and questionaire?
Little lady shopping Southern Louisiana & Mississippi. 
zeta1993 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wow Cody! That was just rude of that manager. You
> did right though by asking if she wants you to
> leave. Can you mention that in the form and
> questionaire?
I actually asked for her name so I could put it in my report. I submitted what data I had collected, and reported it as a "partial" shop. The MSC gave me very little room to explain what happened, but they've called me twice asking me to do similar shops (I've declined), so I imagine this kind of work is very problematic across my city. We'll see if they pay me for this partial shop (according to the directions, I get a pittance for my efforts). I love covert retail shopping and I've had great success at that, but I'm amazed at how people can do covert auditing.
She popped my little balloon, that manager!
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wow Cody! That was just rude of that manager. You
> did right though by asking if she wants you to
> leave. Can you mention that in the form and
> questionaire?
I actually asked for her name so I could put it in my report. I submitted what data I had collected, and reported it as a "partial" shop. The MSC gave me very little room to explain what happened, but they've called me twice asking me to do similar shops (I've declined), so I imagine this kind of work is very problematic across my city. We'll see if they pay me for this partial shop (according to the directions, I get a pittance for my efforts). I love covert retail shopping and I've had great success at that, but I'm amazed at how people can do covert auditing.
She popped my little balloon, that manager!
Silver; not sure it matters
Edited since the spam post was removed.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2013 06:28PM by LisaSTL.
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.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2013 06:28PM by LisaSTL.
I have done covert and reveal and I would much rather do reveal. I am new at this too and I don't think that I will do covert anymore as it is really hard to do and nerve racking also.
No more covert drugstore audits for me, either! Nervewracking! I've been 'made', too, because it looks sooooo suspicious! I haven't been approached, but I have had employees come stand near me and take peaks.
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