I just received an email from someone I shopped last month. I thought it was just a follow-up email, but not quite. Basically, to paraphrase, it says they had no idea I was MSing them, thanked me for the experience, and asked if I actually do want the thing I had been there to shop.

So this means that they were either informed by the client that I was the shopper or they're trying to suss me out.

I was a little nervous about going there because I had shopped there previously and there is something about me that can be memorable if they pay attention. Unfortunately, I saw that the person I had shopped previously was still there, but I met with a new associate and was hoping I could slink out of there unnoticed by the first guy when it was over. Then, of course, the new guy calls over to the first guy while I was there to take part in the convo. Apparently the first guy is a manager now.

If it's a case of the company reviewing the shop with the associates and revealing to them that I was the shopper, that would be okay with me, since there is a long rotation and I would probably never shop this place ever again anyway. HOWEVER, I am just hoping that it's not a case of the first guy remembering me and telling the new guy, and now they're trying to see if I admit it.

**My greatest concern is that my getting paid for this shop could somehow be jeopardized.**

I took this shop because it paid really well and I really need the money. My first inclination is not to reply. But maybe I should reply and play dumb by sending an "I don't know what you mean" kind of message. What would you do?

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Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/2024 06:14PM by shopnyc.

I would completely ignore it. They have no business sending me an email like that, and I have no obligation to respond.

For some of the retail and restaurant shops, that's the unfortunate part with repeat visits. Some employees would know who the shopper is on future visits. Some clients do use the recorded footage to review and coach/train employees and bring it to the attention of the team during recurring meetings. The smaller the client, the more likely they remember.

Personally, I would not reveal myself as the shopper or reply to the email, especially through written communication like email. If they bring it up in person on your next visit, you can say the email went to spam and continue on with the shop. It's not like you're violating an agreement. For me personally, it really wouldn't phase me and deter me from continuing to do shops.

It's not a small client and I am pretty sure I won't be shopping there again. It's 90 minutes away from me and I rarely go to that area unless I can make good money.

I am mostly concerned about potentially not getting paid for it. I should receive payment for it on June 20th. Like I said, if the client revealed me as the shopper, no big deal, since this was most likely the last time I ever shop there. But if the associates are just trying to figure out of it was me and say they knew I was the shopper when their bosses review it with them, that could harm me.

Re-reading your post, maybe only the manager is privy to the reports? If you had visited the location before, but now is the first time you received a follow-up, when the previous employee is now the manager. Maybe hold off until the payment is due. If you don't receive the payment, then explain to the MSC what happened. It doesn't sound like you did anything wrong. By chance, was the report negative to the client?

Editing to add, if you do contact the MSC, I'm not sure if you want to disclose the part about the email. It's been concerning reading threads about being banned for being outed as a shopper.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/2024 05:31PM by Okie.

Okie, thanks for your comments. I am trying to be as cryptic as possible while posting on this board, so I don't want to give any more details, but I do believe that I should probably not reply. Unless not replying would indicate to them that I am indeed the shopper. Ugh, I don't know what to do.

I would ignore the email and not shop there again. I would also not contact the MSC about the email.

There is no upside in answering that email.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think it's worth agonizing about it. The payment date is close, and you'll find out soon enough. I don't see any upside of replying to the email.

Absolutely DO NOT RESPOND! Sorry for the all caps, but I feel it needs to be emphasized. I cannot believe the question is even being considered. Their actions are inappropriate, even if it is a situation where a manager went over the report and camera footage with them. You may never go back to that store again, but who knows where those employees will be working a year from now. If you out yourself, you will be damaged goods, potentially for more than that client. Also, do not inform the MSC. The fact they contacted you and suggested that you are a shopper would be enough for the MSC to ban you from those shops because they will know the integrity of the shops is somehow compromised. Delete the email. If your pay is in jeopardy because they recognized you during the shop (which does not seem to be the case), you can't fix that. You can sure screw things up by replying to the email, no matter what you say. Let it be. Get paid. Move on.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/2024 07:57PM by ServiceAward.

Don't reply at all.

And this is the reason I will rarely do this type of shop anymore. Once, several years ago, an associate I shopped called me and asked me outright if I was the shopper because the report sounded a lot like the conversation we had. I could not believe the company actually shared the report verbatim with the guy being shopped!. It was a very uncomfortable conversation especially because I had reported some not so great things he discussed with me (personal nature). I denied it but I stopped doing those for years after that since he had my address and phone number too. However, I just did one last month that I presume was for the same client as OP posted about and was also the same client I had the issue with years ago, albeit a different location. Same MSC too. So, I guess they share the reports. I had no issues this time except so far the fellow has followed up with me 3 times. I think I probably got rid of him on the last call...I'm no longer interested. Now I'll go on another 5 year hiatus of these shops.

Edited to add: Don't reply..just let it go and hope you'll be paid.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2024 08:41AM by MsJudi.

@ServiceAward wrote:

Absolutely DO NOT RESPOND! Sorry for the all caps, but I feel it needs to be emphasized. I cannot believe the question is even being considered.

As I said, my first inclination was not to respond. I would never, ever, EVER admit to anyone that I am or was the shopper. I've only been asked if I was a shopper once before in nearly 20 years of doing this. That was in the middle of a shop - I played dumb, they believed me, the shop was approved, and I was paid. But to receive such a question in a message, a few weeks after the shop, was quite unexpected!

It's just that I was puzzled as to how and why I received this message. And a few different scenarios started swirling in my mind. I began to wonder if NOT replying would confirm their suspicion (if indeed they are trying to suss me out and were not told by their bosses who the shopper was) and thought maybe I could still role play to throw them off the scent. But I still don't know whether it was revealed by the boss or they are just guessing!

I just wanted to take the temperature of the crowd here and see what you guys would say. I'm glad that you all are confirming to me that my first instinct was correct. I will not reply.

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2024 02:23AM by shopnyc.

I agree, don't reply. The e-mail could well have gone to spam, so no need to wonder if not responding is going to be suspicious.

unless you want the thing you shopped you have no need to reply. They are likely trying to get a commission and if they were told you were the MS then you couldn't buy but maybe they can appeal to you.

@MsJudi @shopnyc I am shocked that the gall these salespeople have. I cannot imagine, if I were a salesperson, contacting someone and asking if they were the mystery shopper. For starters, it is highly inappropriate. Second, it is highly stupid. Why would you tell ANYBODY you suspect someone is a shopper and why on earth would you contact that person??? In the words of Joe, Come on, man!! Don't!! Hold that information for yourself as it is quite valuable. Treat the person you suspect is a shopper especially good and enjoy the good score. Why do people sabotage themselves? Shoppers do it and apparently so do salespeople. I'm glad you checked here shopnyc, I would not want to see you mess yourself up by sending a response.

I concur with everyone who advises that you DO NOT REPLY. There is nothing to be gained by replying. You are under no obligation to respond to any email. If they choose to out you, they will do so regardless of whether you reply or not.

About 6 years ago, I went to Credit Union "B". The CSR remembered me from Credit Union "A" about 3 years earlier. She thanked me for my great report. I played dumb. When she said that she knew I was the "Mystery Shopper" 3 years earlier, I said that I didn't think I was a mysterious person at all, and I did my best to look very confused and puzzled. She then looked confused and eventually apologized for confusing me.

UPDATE: I logged in today and see that my payment is pending for that shop, so I feel very much relieved that I will be paid. I hate that there's always a possibility of not getting paid simply because someone figured out or suspects who the shopper is. I always strive to be as unremarkable and forgettable as possible, even though there could be something memorable about everyone. That email I received really threw me, but I held fast and ignored it. Many thanks to all of you who responded here.

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Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 06/19/2024 04:42PM by shopnyc.

Glad to hear! As others mentioned, it should be the MSC coordinating and relaying these types of communications and concerns, if any. The client contacting you directly is a red flag.