I just saw one of these posted right by my house but have no idea what it entails. It looks like I can't read the details until after I assign the shop. The pay is $12.50 but I have no clue what all it involves. Any advice or pointers from you more experienced shoppers? TIA!

I don't know the specific one you are looking at because the ones I do have a different fee, but here is a general scenario. You arrive, pump gas either paying inside or at the pump depending on the shop and then go inside for a small purchase to evaluate the cashier friendliness, upsell, etc. Outside again, pick up your camera and the letter of authorization that you present to the cashier. From there it becomes a picture taking open shop. With some you may need someone at the station to sign off on your check list of observations. With some you may be leaving a copy of the check list at the station. You make sure you have all the photos you need before leaving the location to go home and upload receipts, photos and the report.

These are not difficult shops. They can become tedious if the cashier or store manager decides to do a song and dance number on you that this or that the 'last shopper found was fine', 'the county won't allow me to do' or any manner of malarkey. They can be amusing as you watch them scurry to try to get into compliance.

For $12.50 right next to home it could be an okay trial to see if the shop works for you. Generally I don't do them at stations I can regularly mystery shop because once you have revealed yourself as a mystery shopper you pretty much have to wait for a personnel change before you can shop the location again.

Good point about the reveal part, I wouldn't have really thought about that. This particular MSC has several of these listed as reveals but I'd really rather just do a mystery shop. I need to sign up for more MSC to see if I can find one that does other gas station shops maybe.

@Flash wrote:

These are not difficult shops. They can become tedious if the cashier or store manager decides to do a song and dance number on you that this or that the 'last shopper found was fine', 'the county won't allow me to do' or any manner of malarkey. They can be amusing as you watch them scurry to try to get into compliance.

Several of my regular GS shops are in upscale cities/towns with strict city ordinances. They usually will not allow main ID signs with gas prices. signage on perimeter poles, etc. These same cities do not allow McDonald's to have the giant M sign or billboards. The views are a lot nicer but it makes it harder to spot locations from the road if you are not familiar with the area. So maybe the "county won't allow me to do" excuse is not completely valid but the "city/town/village won't allow me to do" excuse if definitely valid.

Of course that depends entirely on what the missing item is. When every gas station in the area has water buckets, towels and squeegees, it is unlikely that the county has selectively disallowed it at their location. Of course I just note the item is missing and mention the excuse provided by the manager or cashier. Home office can deal with their nonsense. I don't have to.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/24/2016 09:45PM by Flash.

@Flash, that is completely different than main ID price signs and marketing signs on the perimeter poles not being allowed. The non-existent windshield caddies with paper towels, fluid and squeegees are usually a "not-so-nice" neighborhood excuse where the homeless people use the fluid and paper towels to take a "bath" and the squeegees are used as a weapon. Two totally different worlds.

The excuses come in all sizes and shapes in good neighborhoods and bad. It is a deficiency to company standards, it is to be reported. If you tell me your dog ate the garbage can and Rubbermaid has made none since that fit your can holder I can perfectly well report what you tell me by way of excuse as a direct quote. You and your home office can sort out the veracity because it really is not my problem.

@Sybil2 wrote:

the squeegees are used as a weapon.

So if I am driving and do not see a giant M, pull into the gas station with no squeegees...get back on the highway FAST!!

I did a gas station in the small town where I live. Ever since, I've received excellent service from them.

@Flash wrote:

The excuses come in all sizes and shapes in good neighborhoods and bad. It is a deficiency to company standards, it is to be reported.

When it comes to city ordinances, it is NOT a violation for the gas station to not have a main ID sign with prices or no marketing materials on perimeter poles. Per the MSC and confirmed by the client, you are supposed to answer "yes" and explain the city ordinance in the comments. The station can not lose points for something that is a law in the city in which they conduct business.

One MSC has actually tweaked the report for those "special" gas stations so you don't even have to answer that question anymore. It is automatically marked as "N/A" with a permanent note on the report. I wish my other MSCs would follow suit. But that would make too easy.

@sstazz wrote:

@Sybil2 wrote:

the squeegees are used as a weapon.

So if I am driving and do not see a giant M, pull into the gas station with no squeegees...get back on the highway FAST!!

Not sure what McDonald's has to do with squeegees but more power to you.

@Sybil2 wrote:

When it comes to city ordinances, it is NOT a violation for the gas station to not have a main ID sign with prices or no marketing materials on perimeter poles. Per the MSC and confirmed by the client, you are supposed to answer "yes" and explain the city ordinance in the comments. The station can not lose points for something that is a law in the city in which they conduct business.

You are the only one who is talking about items that might even possibly be controlled by city ordinances. I'm talking about the excuses that sometimes get blurted out because the station is out of compliance about things like too many signs in their windows for company policy, dumpsters left open, lack of squeegees, ladders stored in the ladies' restroom, etc.

Because I do not see a client or a gas station mentioned I will go that route. Flash and Sybil2 have a point with the GS they have shopped in their area or where they shop. i have not run across any city or county ordinances in which the GS I shop must comply with. Although the GS may have already complied too. I have shopped ExxonMobil, Sunoco, Gulf, BP, and Marthon (which have a big M in there station). Neither there forms and guideline have to do with city or county compliance (unless I am missing something). I usually see the Client compliance.

Sybil2 and Flash, you may have to "agree to disagree" about certain report rules.

BTW, the squeegees missing shops, I never thought of them as a weapons waiting to happen, so Sstazz, calm down

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/25/2016 02:57PM by sojo917.

@sojo917 wrote:

Sybil2 and Flash, you may have to "agree to disagree" about certain report rules.

There is no reason for me to agree or disagree. I have it in writing how I am supposed to handle my GS in the areas where city ordinances do override the general client's requirements. The MSC and client are totally aware of the situation. It has been happening for years.

@sojo917 wrote:

BTW, the squeegees missing shops, I never thought of them as a weapons waiting to happen, so Sstazz, calm down

Squeegees have definitely been used as a weapon. Here is a funny story...
[www.protectmycdl.com]

Homeless people will use almost anything as a weapon in a confrontation. And I will spare you the details of it being used as a sexual weapon.

These shops have tons of guidelines to follow but are easy to complete once you get the hang of it. They are paid quite low to begin with so don't be afraid to ask for a bonus if you feel you need it. Good luck!

Thanks for all the comments and advice!

It drives me nuts that MSC doesn't show us details and that we have to call them. I was going to try a gas station reveal but the instructions were long and the learning curve too high for ONE shop. Would it be worth it to do the one shop every month? Well I don't know, I haven't looked into that. But it would be different if there was more than one in my area per month. Honestly, if I were able to self assign it and see the instructions, I would probably try it, now that I see it is available every month.

Unrevealed Gas stations just dropped in my area. Does not appear to be a limit and several locations are listed more than once.