Newbie with name tag question
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Hi Carol!
I have this issue, myself. Most of the time a description and explanation has been adequate. For the most part I think of polite descriptions before I even start interacting. Most people are similar ranges of descriptions, too.
"What'd you say your name was, again?" seems to give me away as a shopper.
A delay question or something to take their attention off you like giving cash and waiting for change gives you time to look at them while they count.
You could also do a Hail Mary and say "Thanks, Yitzel." And have them correct their own name.
Memorizing is easy. But I keep hidden notes in my car. Or go to a restroom and send myself a text.
I have this issue, myself. Most of the time a description and explanation has been adequate. For the most part I think of polite descriptions before I even start interacting. Most people are similar ranges of descriptions, too.
"What'd you say your name was, again?" seems to give me away as a shopper.
A delay question or something to take their attention off you like giving cash and waiting for change gives you time to look at them while they count.
You could also do a Hail Mary and say "Thanks, Yitzel." And have them correct their own name.
Memorizing is easy. But I keep hidden notes in my car. Or go to a restroom and send myself a text.
Usually proving a description of the person and why you could not read the name tag is good enough, but some shops specifically require that you MUST get a name. In those cases, simply say, "What is your name?" And then say, "Thank you, (insert name.)" Don't try to be clever or offer an explanation for asking. And don't worry about it giving you away. It probably won't, but if it does, that is okay. It is your money on the line.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2023 06:48PM by mystery2me.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2023 06:48PM by mystery2me.
Thank you. Yes, it is my money on the line and I really don’t want to endanger it..
Some shops allow/require you to ask for the name if necessary. Other shops tell you not to ask. If you are of a certain age, you may get away with squinting and obviously looking at a name tag and then exclaiming how your poor eyesight is failing you. Sometimes, you may praise an employee for how helpful they have been, ask their name, and then thank them by name. Or, you may tell them your name and see if they reciprocate.
Just do your best. There will be times when it is impossible to get or remember a name.
Just do your best. There will be times when it is impossible to get or remember a name.
If you can't see the nametag because the person's hair is covering it, or their chest is never quite in your direct line of vision (and you're not gonna walk around the person to stare at the tag!), many shops are OK with not getting the name if you explain it. If it's mandatory, even if no nametag is present, what I usually do, assuming the shop went well, is say, "Oh, what was your name again? (As if they'd already given it to me.) You've been so helpful; thank you." That seems a bit more natural to me than just asking the name. If they haven't been so helpful, I might say "thank you" first, then ask for their name: Thank you; and your name is???"
Thankfully, most of the shops I do require a business card, so that solves that issue!
Thankfully, most of the shops I do require a business card, so that solves that issue!
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've always considered Mystery Shopping oft time an acting job (especially so for bank shops). With that being said, lying can be part of the job. I've told some whoppers too!
Meaning, looking at the nametag of the employee and asking a question such as: "Is your name Bertha? Why I had an Aunt Bertha!" Or, squinting at their nametag, "You look like you might be my friend, Connie's sister, Betsy! Is your name Betsy?"
If you do it nicely and sincerely (but actually lying about it), it seems to work - even for the grumpiest worker.
Meaning, looking at the nametag of the employee and asking a question such as: "Is your name Bertha? Why I had an Aunt Bertha!" Or, squinting at their nametag, "You look like you might be my friend, Connie's sister, Betsy! Is your name Betsy?"
If you do it nicely and sincerely (but actually lying about it), it seems to work - even for the grumpiest worker.
If I can't read their name tag or/and need their name, I will ask, "What is your name? You look so familiar!"
Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.
"Is your name .... ? Thanks. I thought you were a friend of the family/someone i knew from school.. yadda yadda." If its required its required.
Bank shops i did were very specific. Gone now. Name or no shop. Sometimes with retailers/restaurants the name is on the receipt. But not always.
Bank shops i did were very specific. Gone now. Name or no shop. Sometimes with retailers/restaurants the name is on the receipt. But not always.
shopping north west PA and south west ny
If it's a young person I say they look like someone one of my children hung out with in high school.
@cooldude581 wrote:
"Is your name .... ? Thanks. I thought you were a friend of the family/someone i knew from school.. yadda yadda." If its required its required.
Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt
I like that thanks. Good quote also. That's a keeper.
Hello Carol welcome to Mystery Shopping and the forums 
Sometimes on the restaurant tickets it may say "Jan" but if the person that is taking the order name "Jim"
Sometimes on the restaurant tickets it may say "Jan" but if the person that is taking the order name "Jim"
Thank you. I had that experience with the cashier's name shown as her ID number on the receipt. I was really glad her name was easy to remember.
After asking for hundreds of names, I have gotten used to asking. It's no big deal.
I sometimes wear my reading glasses to make the nametags easier to read. Other times I will say you look really familiar, what is your name? I am also used to asking for names.
Oh, I can definitely use the squinting idea. LOL
If I have the opportunity to see the guidelines ahead of time, and I see that more than one name is required, I tend to pass on the assignment. It's one thing to get your server's name, but if I have to get the name of the hostess, forget it. Same with dressing room attendants.
I did the, "Are you Carol? You look like a girl my son went to school with." Well, her name was Carol and I ended up adding more details to the lie as she expanded. So much for that.
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The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
I am naturally curious but I hope in a friendly sort of way, In my city we are extremely multicultural and many names are not at all familiar to me. No Carols or Janes here. Pre pandemic I used to do many parking jobs with a company that seemed to hire mostly Ethiopian people with very long first names. In restaurants there are an assortment of names that seem to have many more consonants than vowels. I find names I cannot easily pronounce the most difficult to remember. So I strike up a short conversation with them sometimes asking how to pronounce it but often complementing a name and asking if it has a meaning in their language or culture. I have not yet run into anyone who is not thrilled to be asked about their name.
It seems that at a lot of places like fast food or convenience stores, the name on the receipt will not be that of the person who is actually running the register. So be careful about that. It's only obvious when the receipt says Mike and a female helped you. It seems to happen even more if the cashier is in training and being watched by someone.
Are you one of my former students? That always works for me.
I just ask. Took practice, but now I prefer it to making up a reason to ask.
I watched Hubby, he asks everyone their name. He always asks support people on the phone where they live, what the weather is like.
Just ask.
I watched Hubby, he asks everyone their name. He always asks support people on the phone where they live, what the weather is like.
Just ask.
@wrosie wrote:
It seems that at a lot of places like fast food or convenience stores, the name on the receipt will not be that of the person who is actually running the register. So be careful about that. It's only obvious when the receipt says Mike and a female helped you. It seems to happen even more if the cashier is in training and being watched by someone.
I have seen that also..
It helps the memory if when you ask for their name, you use it right away. "And your name is...? Barry? Thank you, Barry, it's been a busy day and you've really helped me a lot. "
Several yrs. ago, I quarterly shopped an eatery that required the names of the hostess, bartender, server and manager. The problem was, no one wore a name tag. After a few visits, I phoned the owner of the small MSC, only to learn he was aware of the situation. As the food was delicious and the pay at the top of the scale, I continued to "play the game." I knew I had been identified as a shopper and as such, they performed at their highest level and I enjoyed an easy assignment..
As someone alluded to, get into the habit of asking for names when you are not mystery shopping. That will make it easier/more natural when mystery shopping. Ditto with asking for receipts.
Regarding odd/difficult/multiple names, audio record all shops so that you don't have to remember names, times, descriptions, etc.
Regarding odd/difficult/multiple names, audio record all shops so that you don't have to remember names, times, descriptions, etc.
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