As shoppers, we’re asked to write lengthy, professionally written, objective reports. We do. We’re asked to discreetly take impossible pictures of an interior location, which happens to be positioned directly in front of the associates. We do. We are asked to discreetly perform precision timings, while not looking at our watches. We do. And all too often, we do this for a mere $10 or $15.

Recently, I’ve received several emails from a MSC, well known for its mind numbing narrative requirements. They originally were offering $5 to shop a DIY retailer, interact with an associate and take three pictures, to boot. (Don’t forget about the crazy narrative.) Perhaps, because of the lack of shopper enthusiasm, they have now doubled the fee to a whopping $10. Oh, did I mention, the unrevealed shop involves three pictures: one of the exterior, a pic of the end cap display and photographing the associate?

Of course, this started me wondering about what more they could possibly ask….

“Guidelines: The client has requested that you perform a cartwheel as you exit the location. Please, be discreet so as not to be identified as a mystery shopper.” I’m sure, we’ll figure out a way to do it..... because,well, we’re amazing!

(heart)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/28/2014 10:18PM by stilllearning.

HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's a good one.

How does one discreetly photograph the associate?

stilllearning Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> “Guidelines: The client has requested that you
> perform a cartwheel as you exit the location.
> Please, be discreet so as not to be identified as
> a mystery shopper.” I’m sure, we’ll figure
> out a way to do it..... because,well, we’re
> amazing!

Oh I hope this shop has specific age requirements, and just this once I don't want to fit them!

stilllearning Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Of course, this started me wondering about what
> more they could possibly ask….
>
> “Guidelines: The client has requested that you
> perform a cartwheel as you exit the location.
> Please, be discreet so as not to be identified as
> a mystery shopper.”

LOL.

The day this actually appears on shop paperwork, is the day I start making plans to quit MSing for good.

My thoughts exactly! I'm confident though, we'll find a way.

(heart)

If we can find a way to time to the second the time we "enter the shortest line til the time your order is totaled til the time you receive your food" while not walking away from the counter to get your drink like normal people while you are the only customer in the entire restaurant while holding a stop watch in your hands than you can find a way to do it!

That has to be the longest run-on sentence I have ever written!

I will discretely call for an ambulance BEFORE doing the cartwheel because I will most certainly need to after that.

..............and capture the name, description, exact parting remarks and a photo of the employee sending you off whilst you are in the midst of the cartwheel and fully upside down.

Nice post.

It is pretty amazing all the things we're asked to do, often for a pittance. For now on, however, I'm looking for the new proposed minimum wage. I just like the sound of it, $10.10.

Yes, I will cartwheel out the store for 10.10.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/29/2014 02:25PM by sportsed1.

I have done the cartwheel shop before. Its not worth it, even with the .25c bonus for "rural locations".

Thanks for the laugh!! It came at the right time... I'm up to my ears in my own paper mess.. trying to figure out a doable scheme of organization tactics for being a MS for three weeks!!

MSmichelle Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How does one discreetly photograph the associate?


Is that even legal?

Savak, the answer to Michelle's question is "very carefully." The answer to your question is...you come up with a good excuse if someone challenges the legality of the photo shoot. Like, "I'm sorry, I was taking a picture of the end cap and you got in the way."

P.S. I never accept these shops. I hate the possibility of an associate challenge.

When I am doing non-video shops, I almost always wear a concealed MP3 recorder and 'tape' the entire shop in audio. It's for my reference only but sure helps with the timing!

I have just laughed so hard, i dropped my concealed recording device.....any one know what happened to the large supermarket chain with a P that used to be done by SI? Not done by them in English or French <lol>...

It's not legal in CA.

> > How does one discreetly photograph the
> associate?


No problem. I've done dozens of these by telling the associate that I just need to see the one box of something that is way up high. Then the associate has to use the big ladder on wheels. When they go up to remove the box, I snap a picture when their face is turned away from me. The only one that was rejected was when I got too much of the feet. The editor said it looked like the guy was kick-boxing the camera.


Butt I thought it was the most amazing photo ever!






Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/02/2014 04:12AM by vlade5394.

DrSquash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> stilllearning Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Of course, this started me wondering about what
> > more they could possibly ask….
> >
> > “Guidelines: The client has requested that
> you
> > perform a cartwheel as you exit the location.
> > Please, be discreet so as not to be identified
> as
> > a mystery shopper.”
>
> LOL.
>
> The day this actually appears on shop paperwork,
> is the day I start making plans to quit MSing for
> good.


Sounds like an age requirement for the shop. Also, the profile questions will include such as "Do you have cheerleading, gymnastics, or basketball team mascot experience? Please describe.

A new toy I got for myself is a Samsung Galaxy Gear Watch.

It has apps that you can put on it because it is an android device.
I have a stop watch app and it has a camera so I can take photos or short videos.

So I take a photo of the person before I approach (I look like I am checking the time on my watch).

It also has a voice memo app. I have to see how long it will record audio.

galct Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A new toy I got for myself is a Samsung Galaxy
> Gear Watch.
>
> It has apps that you can put on it because it is
> an android device.
> I have a stop watch app and it has a camera so I
> can take photos or short videos.
>
> So I take a photo of the person before I approach
> (I look like I am checking the time on my watch).
>
> It also has a voice memo app. I have to see how
> long it will record audio.


Sounds nice.

Having been a MSPA certified shopper for many years a shopper must know the "Kenny Rogers" response when you consider taking an assignment. "Know when to do them, Know when leave them, know when to walk away, know when to run!" Paraphrasing Kenny Rogers of course.

Taking pictures is an excuse for using your work product without paying you especially if you are taking pictures of a pizza. The pictures are always fuzzy or at the wrong angle even if they were perfect when you uploaded them. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder that is trying to get something for nothing. You certainly are not going back to to the location to re-shoot the pictures.

I am sure if you did a cart wheel as you left they would know you are the shopper. But there are so many guidelines that would give your head a shake. If "They want what?" flashes through your mind you know people like the Swedish furniture store are trying to get your work product for free.

As an entrepreneur you know what it cost to get your tail into the driver's seat and ultimately into the location. You know how much time it will take. If it is just enough to by Raman Noodles and Mac and Cheese I leave it for the starving Seniors and students.

If it is 20 miles away and I am going there anyway and a quick mailing of a package will get me $10. it is like finding $10 in the street. I will bend over and pick up the $10! I would not go 20 miles away to mail that package if I was NOT passing the door. If I am going to the shore and there is a burger joint or convenience store that will give me lunch and a couple of bucks for gas I got lunch and the MSP contributed to my expense of going to the shore. I would not shop down there if I was not going to the shore. I do not take these ahead of time just in case it rains. It has to be self assigned or I contact the scheduler the day of. The locations can be anywhere along the 20 mile route. If I am passing the door I am going in. I may take several of these shops along the way.

I will most certainly work with a scheduler that contacts me in a panic to tell me the shopper flaked on a shop in a neighborhood that takes a specialized shopper to perform in. I do ask for "combat pay" because there is always a risk even in daylight hours. You may be asked for "change". You may be offered drugs or women you would not touch with a ten foot pole may offer you a personal service. If I am properly dressed and forget to take a shower and use my ghetto ride I look like I belong. The scheduler knows I do not work cheap and I am reliable.

Newbies should have knowledge of the demographic when they accept an assignment. If you do not normally shop there, even if they offer you a ton of money they are offering it to you because not anyone can play the role. This goes for high end shops also. Not everyone can eat a $150 lunch and feel like you belong there. I have, over the years, been invited to lunches and dinners where the menu is read from left to right. If you like what you see on the left it does not matter how much it cost on the right if the price is listed at all.

Even when I was the age when kids COULD do cartwheels, I could not.

:-(

Robinv