I recently did my first [client name deleted] Senior Living shop. I was contacted several times requesting additional information. I responded as best I could. The final comment I received was "Did not present yourself as a possible customer." I created a scenario that I was here because I wanted to find a place for my grandmother. Can someone let me know what they really want from you?

Mod note: It is against forum rules and an ICA violation to link the client with the MSC. Please refer to the posting guidelines when posting.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2015 10:03PM by MzMauvee60.

The scenario usually is focused on assisted living or memory problems. Did you follow that guideline for the one you were assigned?

I have done an assistance living with a memory care wing. I inquired for my father, and I had to come up for reasons that he would need the memory care in the future. There are probably more than one MSC that do Senior homes. It was a longer report but the pay was not to bad. I would do another one if there was one.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2015 05:29AM by breestjon.

For these shops you will always need a very comprehensive "back story" for your loved one as well as an alias and unique follow-up phone number and email for yourself. I wait until they are over $75 before I will take them.

I always enjoyed doing those. I saw some really good homes and a couple that I wouldn't kennel a dog in. I could do good back story since I've worked in nursing homes and my degree is in geriatric social work.

They never pay more than $30 where I am.

Was 'grandparent' an acceptable story or do they require 'parent'
It is not common grandchild would be seeking out a home and maybe they think that makes you stand out?

But of course there are good back stories...for example you can say mom and grandma live out of state, but are moving to your area...that is why they aren't there....or that you were raised by grandma.....or dad is in the military, parents are divorced, and this is your father's mother, etc

Whoever it is, you have to make sure it's clear you are the decision maker, and again, make sure you are using the right scenario (assisted vs memory care).

I am a new mystery shopper and have done about 10+ shops. I did a Senior Living Shop which I was looking forward to conforming and they kept coming back to me saying I needed to give additional information. I put 3.5 hours into it and refused to redo it. I am happy to not do business with this MSC. What really turned me off was my call was recorded and they wanted to document word for word my 9 minute conversation with him. I dont think the schedular read all the guidelines based on other things as well.

Welcome to the force, Karen. Just so know, a lot of phone shops (or any shop that requires a phone call) require the play by play. In fact, most do. Anytime you make a call, recorded or not, the odds are you are going to be asked to give a play by play of the call. They apparently want to read along as they listen. That's pretty standard, so I wouldn't blame the MSC. You'll be seeing more of that as you continue to shop! I've only encountered a few that do not want a full play by play.

Can you name the company. I have done several of these but have one this week with another company.

I wouldn't do a Senior Living Shop for under $70. The narratives are heavy and the time spent at the home is long. The editor can be absolutely horrid. The worst part is the word for word narrative of the phone call that is recorded, very time consuming. I would rather shop three or four banks.

I did one once - it was too hard on me emotionally and also time wise. I could not do another one again anytime soon.

I did one that paid 120$ and I would not do another for anything less. It took forever! The visit was more than an hour and honestly the only way I could possibly include all the details the report requested was by recording my visit. Once I had my hour long audio though it was quite easy to just put in proper writing everything that was said and done but it still took me countless hours to do. And it still wasn't enough since after sending it also came back needing additional info. I still got an 8.5 grading for it though and for 120$ I would do another.
My scenario was actually influenced by my aunt who is in a public assisted senior facility. So I guess it was easy to answer specific questions because I kept thinking of her. I think that's what they look for in a shopper in this case. That you can personally relate to someone you know who would truly need the care. I can give you more details of my scenario if you'd like. For anyone thinking of doing these shops, don't underestimate them....they are a PITA. And for goodness sake don't accept to do them for under 100$!

mystique,
The reporting time can be cut by about 40% by the time you have done about 3 of these. Also, enough of the Marketing Agents on site do a poor job that my average visit is about 50 minutes now. I writing the report, the trick seems to be to cover several areas in one nice compound sentence. Also, when not recording it is a nice memory booster to reply to a greeting with the exact form user by the greeter. (Greeter says, "Hi. How are you today?" I say, "Hi. I am very well today." Greeter says, "Have a nice day." I say, "I always have a nice day." ) Also, excusing yourself to the rest room will give you a chance to make a few essential notes. With any long interaction shop, practice will either make perfect or it will make you crazy. Interactions of 20 minutes or more are not for everyone.

You really hit the nail on the head; using a real person that you know as the model for your"loved one" is the very best way to build a scenario. When I use my Aunt Charlotte, it's easy you know what she likes to do and what she would want in her room and her physicl limitations. I have used my ex, my next door neightbor's mom, all of my aunts and uncles (I have many), former inlaws, and a few siblings.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/24/2015 04:02PM by walesmaven.

I read this posted prior to doing my shop and should have yielded but this is what happened to me.

Monday, I was supposed to go visit an assisted living facility that was to be recorded plus the pay was to be doubled. I got a call from my daughter's school about her being sick and everything got pushed back. Come to find out, she had strep so after I got her squared away, I set off to head to the assisted living place, I made the phone call on the sassie recorded line. The person responsible for doing the tour and I spoke briefly. She informed me that she was on her way out and I wold be talking to so and so. At that point, I took it upon myself to wait until Tuesday. That night I emailed the scheduler through the sassie site and explained the situation.

Tuesday, I went on and visited the location and recorded the shop. As I'm out doing my other shops, I get an email saying the following...


On Dec 22, 2015, at 4:04 PM, BLANK from XYZ wrote

Hi _______,

We have to cancel your shop. The client emailed us yesterday, asking if there was a shopper at their location yesterday. The employees reported that you were being very obvious about recording your tour. We cannot use your shop now.

After reading the email, I was perplexed and replied asking for clarification of the date as I had just been there that day when I was emailed. The scheduler replied on Wednesday, saying, It was yesterday, the 21st. I replied describing the list of events and the email that I had sent and stating my reason for visiting on Tuesday as opposed to Monday like originally planned. I have not heard anything back. My shop is still cancelled after I wasted 45 minutes of my shopping time.

I feel that the shopper is being unprofessional in giving little information without obtaining facts.

I may be ending my relationship with this company after 10 years of working with them.