A question about details/narration when filling out forms

Hi,
I was wondering about the amount of details to provide when filling out the form.
I feel a bit torn between brevity and elaboration.

1-Is it better to answer exactly the question, following the “Just the facts mam” model, but it might seem as if you’re lazy or didn’t really pay attention to any details.

2- Or is ‘more is better’ in regards to things that you observe. There is a minimum word limit, so I elaborate but I’m concerned the editors are thinking “Oh come on! Nobody cares about this stuff!” and therefore adding more work.

The main mystery shop company I use recommends to look at the mystery shop forum or help areas, and as I cannot see these on their site I’m assuming they mean in general, so I thought I’d ask here. This might be an impractical question as answers have too many variables, but I’m wondering how others weigh in.

*I’ve looked for a question regarding this subject and couldn’t find a post. If there is, my apologies and, perhaps you could post a link*

Thanks for your time!!

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Well, most of us shop for so many MSCs (some do over 100) that it's not really possible to provide an answer that will be useful for the particular report that is of concern to you. Since you are not permitted to name both the client and the MSC in the same post, I suggest that you ask about the reports for the client, such as ABC Burger, or Yankee Grocery Stores, etc. That way, someone may have done the same reports and will have advice based on experience.

BTW, if you are getting high marks, or no questions, on your narratives, you are probably already doing what they want for that particular report. The real challenge comes when the instructions ask you to paint a vivid portrait of your interections.

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.

On any given report, no news is good news. If the company is not asking for more information or telling you you're providing too much information, you're good.

Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.

A minimum word limit is not as helpful as a maximum. Tell the story, just maybe not the part about what color of fingernail polish she wore

One of the most important, yet time consuming tasks is to read the FAQ and guidelines provided on each MSP's web site. This will tell you what they are looking for in general. Ritter, for example, wants everything typed in CAPS. Thus far, they are the only company I work with that does. If you have questions about a particular project, they encourage you to contact your scheduler for clarification. I would not hesitate to do so if your questions are not clearly answered in the FAQ or guideline section.

Great rules of thumb I have found: be objective; not subjective, provide enough details to tell the story without going into enough detail to reveal yourself as a shopper, and watch your e-mails carefully after you perform a shop, just in case an editor needs clarification.

You will do fine. Best of luck.

Great information. Thanks very much for the replies!

If the MSC offers examples, try to match your narrative to their example.

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A question about details/narration when filling out forms

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