So I'm doing my research and am finding shops in my area but I'm a bit concerned some of them may not be suited for newbies - like eye glass shop, vet shop. Those just seem like you could be in there a long time with a lot to remember and I don't want to blow it on my first shops. So what are good types of shops to get your feet wet and not end up wet behind the ears ;-)

My very first shop was a cell phone shop. I was a 'natural' for it as I knew squat about cell phones. I collected materials, made notes all over them, talked to the salesperson in depth and actually learned a lot. I did remember to check the restroom, where I went over my list to see what I had forgotten and, as I came out, found the salesman with 'another dumb question' and asked him for his business card in case I had more questions. Big $7 shop :^)

But generally I would encourage new shoppers to try the simpler shops such as teller shops at a bank, drive through shops at a bank, or virtually any shop from CORI or Market Force. While the bank shops are simpler, they get your feet wet without practicing many skills or getting much instruction. Market Force always has fast foods with multiple timings (and timings are a skill you need to get down cold) as well as detailed instructions. CORI, for all our complaints about them and how cheap they are, does offer some decent training in their certifications. Service Intelligence has a certifications program but may or may not have many shops in your area (feast or famine). But when it comes right down to it, very few shops are terribly complicated, though the reporting sometimes can be. There are $40 bank shops I do I would not recommend to a newbie because the reporting is long narrative and needs to cover every observation required in a chronological story form. Restaurant shops with a lot of timings are going to be awkward at best without a DVR or some way to get all the information without taking notes at the table (and just how many times during a meal can you run to the bathroom?).

If you have a pet in need of a vet visit, a vet shop may not be bad. Take in something you can scribble notes on or pick up flyers in the office to scribble on. I've never done vet shops because I don't think they would allow me to take in a goat or a goose :^) Oil change shops are super easy shops, but your vehicle needs to be ready for an oil change and they don't usually pay a fee but just reimburse for an expensive oil change.

Today I did a pretzel shop. Very easy--walk up to the counter, time from when you joined the line until you were assisted, count the number of folks ahead of you in line, look for name tags, order your acceptable variety of pretzel, take or decline an upsell (though note the upsell), pay, get a receipt and take it to a table. Pull out your handwritten laundry list of things to note, scribble a few things, finish your pretzel and leave. Stopwatch that you can handle without looking at it is the only equipment needed. Report requires very little of you.

My first shop was a Burger King drive thru. I got hooked! You will do fine.

Flash Wrote:
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> Today I did a pretzel shop. Very easy--walk up to
> the counter, time from when you joined the line
> until you were assisted, count the number of folks
> ahead of you in line, look for name tags, order
> your acceptable variety of pretzel, take or
> decline an upsell (though note the upsell), pay,
> get a receipt and take it to a table. Pull out
> your handwritten laundry list of things to note,
> scribble a few things, finish your pretzel and
> leave. Stopwatch that you can handle without
> looking at it is the only equipment needed.
> Report requires very little of you.

I love those reports! Those seriously have to be the fastest reports I've seen.

My first was a grocery store, and the second was motorcycle merchandise. I only knew one MSP for a few weeks. The grocery shop was easier for me as it was much more in my comfort zone.

The pretzel report is easy - almost always. There was the time the employee who assisted me was wearing a Great American Cookie Co. uniform ~ ~ ~ ~

My first pretzel shop I forgot a napkin. I left my pretzel and receipt on the table while I went to the counter to pick up one. When I returned the cleaning lady had swept it away--less than 15 seconds. I about had a fit. I retrieved my receipt out of her dustbin and thanked my lucky stars that I had looked at the pretzel and had a little taste before she snagged it. 'Sorry, No English'

I truly hated writing that report because although I got reimbursed and the small pay, I didn't get my pretzel.

I think that my first shop was a bank teller shop, which I found rather easy. The second was a Radio Shack shop, also easy but interrupted when the entire shopping center was evacuated due to a power failure. Three hours to do that shop, lol!

My first was a brew pub on the east coast.

My first was a tractor dealership out in the boondocks. I had to impersonate a farmer looking for a new tractor...

My first shop was a high-end fashion store in Beverly Hills. I was completely out of my league.

The salesperson was on to me from the start and could tell how nervous I was. She walked me through the sales presentation hitting every point, helped me pick out a nice shirt for my GF that was about $1 over the reimbursement, then closed with, "Don't worry...these things get easier with experience," as I left.

It's funny to think about it now, but sad that the days of getting a $50 shirt as reimbursement seem to be gone.

SteveSoCal Wrote:
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> My first shop was a high-end fashion store in
> Beverly Hills. I was completely out of my
> league.
>
> The salesperson was on to me from the start and
> could tell how nervous I was. She walked me
> through the sales presentation hitting every
> point, helped me pick out a nice shirt for my GF
> that was about $1 over the reimbursement, then
> closed with, "Don't worry...these things get
> easier with experience," as I left.
>
> It's funny to think about it now, but sad that the
> days of getting a $50 shirt as reimbursement seem
> to be gone.


And he lived through it and went on to be a superstar shopper! :-)

mrcomputer101 Wrote:
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> My first was a tractor dealership out in the
> boondocks. I had to impersonate a farmer looking
> for a new tractor...


As out of my league as I would be in a BH boutique, I would stand out even more in a tractor store. Those are some pretty tough first shops you and Steve did.

My first was a Whataburger dine-in. I did the timings correctly but misread the question and wrote one of the timings down wrong. Apparently the MSP fixed my report, because I didn't hear anything from them - no question - and I got paid. I did a 2nd Whataburger two days later and realized I had goofed on the first one.

And for all our kvetching about companies, you've gotta admit that we have probably all gotten paid for shops that were screwy enough we shouldn't have :^)

Thank you everyone! I think the prize goes to the Tractor Shop - impersonating a farmer, pretty good! Flash, can I send you a personal e-mail off topic - on goats?

Sure, or just hit my name and send me a PM through here

Skibee Wrote:
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> Thank you everyone! I think the prize goes to the
> Tractor Shop - impersonating a farmer, pretty
> good! Flash, can I send you a personal e-mail off
> topic - on goats?


In my experience, Pigeons are faster, but goats would work I suppose. Would you tie it to their tails, or around their necks?