In my case, checking out the toilets in a famous brand coffee store and stepping directly into what was obviously a human 'offering' in the middle of the floor. I immediately reported this to the MOS behind the counter, who looked at me obviously suspecting this offering was mine own.... (The MSC did ring me to thank me).

And checking out a smoothie bar in the most famous London store you can think of. I had to wait while the MOS went to find out the answer to the rather obscure question I had to ask. While I waited, I watched the smoothie maker put carrots into the machine without cutting the ends off, full of dirt at the leafy end. And put apples in without taking the labels off. I got a thank you phone call for that report as well!

I can't think of anything funny at the moment. But one of the most shocking things I witnessed during a shop was a dine and dash. I had never experienced something like this before.

It was a party of teenagers. I was oblivious to what was going on, but my friend seemed to be catching on to their behavior. One by one, each of them would head off to the restroom. Then when the last one started to leave, the server ran after them to the parking lot. The server got in front of the car and was on top of the hood in an effort to stop them. The car swerved a little to the side to get him off. Thankfully, he was not injured. But it was messed up that they continued to drive off.

What's an MOS?

From context clues, my guess is member/manager-on-service.

It wasn't funny at the time.. I was pissed off. A scheduler from the old Kroger MSC called me and begged me to do a shop that afternoon. They had to be done between 4 - 8 PM on weekdays back then. I agreed, and I was checking out at that same Kroger, talking to the cashier and trying my best to memorize her name for the description. And my phone rings, it's the same ditzy scheduler who begged me to do this shop, calling me to ask me to do another shop. I kinda blew off the handle, said some less than friendly things to her, and hung up. I was seething for hours, I called the MSC back and told them what she had done, and that I now have to try to piece together what I shouldn't have forgotten because of her. I told them to put me down for no phone calls if they can't restrain themselves from calling me when they begged me to do a shop.

now I'm just mildly irritated, and I still don't work for that company anymore, though I haven't severed the relationship, I still get emails now and then, I just don't try to sign up for any shops.

@Morledzep

Can't cut the cord like @shopperbob ? He's the true TERMINATOR. T-800

T-800 Terminator (portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the role that made him a superstar)

HB, it's never been important enough to me to bother.

I was doing a restaurant shop, and we had ordered a cocktail and a beer. The cocktail was delivered, but not the beer. When the server came by to see if we needed anything, I said just the beer. As she walked away I heard her mutter, "guess I'll get marked down for that one." Lol, she had only been my server one other time, nearly a year prior, but I guess something in the report was memorable. When we were leaving she said, "Thank you. See you next month." OMG. I am going there again this week, so fingers crossed for a different server!

I have referenced this one before...but it was not funny at the time like all the above stories...
I got to the the fine dining restaurant in time for my reservation and gave my name. The host had a concerned look on their face and even had a whispered conversation with another staff member but finally had someone lead me to a not the best table in the house. As a member with a reservation I should have gotten a window on the water seat. Almost to the table my brother in law came running up from across the room. My brother in law lives 3000 miles away and I live in Los Angeles with thousands of fine dining restaurants. We had not seen or spoken to him in years. But here he was in my city eating at the same place at the exact same time with the same name. The host seeing what happened explained that when he arrived 5 minutes early for his reservation they assumed someone had double booked him in the reservation log and crossed off my reservation.
I had all I could do to undo the invitation my husband had extended for him to join our table and ruin my coveted fine dining mystery shop.

I've told my condom story. I've told my story about the USPS clerk insisting on repacking my large dimensional weight box. Now, I will share my Shell story.

I started back shopping in January 2023. I had not done a Shell shop in about ten years, so the MSC had changed, and I really could not remember what program use to be like. I go to my first Shell one morning and perform the mystery shop. It was a kiosk location. After driving through the kiosk, I had to go back out onto the main highway to come back into the parking lot and find a place to park off to the side. In between customers paying at the window, I introduced myself to the clerk, provided the LOA, and said explained why I was there.

The clerk responds, "Good, we've been expecting you. Bob just got here." The clerk then yells, "Bob, that guy you are looking for is here!"

I'm confused, but I decide to play along. I thought I may have missed something when I reviewed the guidelines.

Bob comes out, introduces himself and shakes my hand. Bob said with a smile, "I thought I was running late trying to get here because I had to drive two-hours, but I beat you!"

I smiled and responded I had gotten stuck at every red light. Bob laughed, then motioned me over to the fuel access panels that cover the fuel storage tanks where the trucks pump the fuel.

Bob removed one of the covers and said, "Now, listen, I know we are going to be in trouble for this, so I am going to tell you now." Bob then pulled out a flashlight, shined it down into the tank, and invited me to look. "Do you see that?" Bob inquired.

I bend down to look into the tank. I have no clue what I am looking at, and I am trying to decide if needed to pull out my guidelines to see if I've missed something. I didn't want to seem incompetent, so I didn't look at the guidelines and decided to continue to play along. In my mind I know this guy is confused about who I am.

"I think you're fine, but I'll note that issue in my report," I responded.

At this point I try to gear the conversation towards what I know for sure I'm supposed to be doing. "Listen," I said, "I really need to try to get to the pumps because the fuel area stays packed, so I have to get to the pumps before more customers come."

Bob responds, in an apparent confused state, "What do you need to do with the pumps? I didn't know you looked at them."

I responded, "I do have to inspect the pumps. The pumps are a very important part of the inspection."

Bob asked if he needed to be present for that, and I assured him he did not. Bob turns to walk away as I head in the other direction, then Bob turns around and calls me back to ask. "Hey, are you the state inspector?" I smiled and said, "No, I'm your mystery shopper." We had a good laugh and went our separate ways.

I had a bartender decide to show off by breathing fire at the bar. Got photos of that one and of course it was for Coyle, so the write-up was intense. They didn't believe me until I sent them a photo. Needless to say, the management of that restaurant made some changes.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/2024 01:28AM by foodluvr.

@foodluvr wrote:

I had a bartender decide to show off by breathing fire at the bar. Got photos of that one and of course it was for Coyle, so the write-up was intense. They didn't believe me until I sent them a photo. Needless to say, the management of that restaurant made some changes.

That does jog my memory of something recently that happened. I had a server light fire to a dish for theatrics. It emitted a a blue/purple/red flame. He asked me, "Aren't you going to take a picture?" I was taken aback and thought he knew I was the shopper. But he was actually being nice and letting me know to capture the moment before the flames went out.

I was in a nice sandwich shop when a mouse ran across the floor. The manager and staff completely flipped out trying to catch it, made a huge scene, and left the front counter unattended for some time.

@ShopperGirly wrote:

I was in a nice sandwich shop when a mouse ran across the floor. The manager and staff completely flipped out trying to catch it, made a huge scene, and left the front counter unattended for some time.

Wonder if it was the same one I saw laying dead right next to a pump island at a recent Famous Highway gas station visit?

That was a first, though not particularly funny.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/07/2024 12:55PM by CoolMusic.

One time I was doing a gas station shop in rural northern alabama and taking my photos for the evaluation. There was a gentleman in a truck getting gas, and he asked me why I was taking pictures. I told him that I was doing a station inspection for the Oil company brand. He told me that was bogus, and he said that he thought I was taking pictures of people's license plates so I could steal and sell their identities. I assured him that I wasn't, and he told me to get away and stop taking pictures while he was there. I waited about 5 minutes, and he loitered outside the store probably just to annoy me. I told him that I was on a tight schedule and needed to finish up. He told me that he had a shotgun in the back of his truck, and he would get it out if he needed to. I told him that he was welcome to, but I was going to do my job. He leered at me and peeled out as he left the station I finished my evaluation after being a flight there might be shot for doing my job.

Haha that was funny!

Why would you answer the phone in the middle of an interaction?
I would have just let it go to vm and then checked it later. Would you have answered and then screamed at your kid/ best friend/ parent/ neighbor for the same thing?

@Morledzep wrote:

It wasn't funny at the time.. I was pissed off. A scheduler from the old Kroger MSC called me and begged me to do a shop that afternoon. They had to be done between 4 - 8 PM on weekdays back then. I agreed, and I was checking out at that same Kroger, talking to the cashier and trying my best to memorize her name for the description. And my phone rings, it's the same ditzy scheduler who begged me to do this shop, calling me to ask me to do another shop. I kinda blew off the handle, said some less than friendly things to her, and hung up. I was seething for hours, I called the MSC back and told them what she had done, and that I now have to try to piece together what I shouldn't have forgotten because of her. I told them to put me down for no phone calls if they can't restrain themselves from calling me when they begged me to do a shop.

now I'm just mildly irritated, and I still don't work for that company anymore, though I haven't severed the relationship, I still get emails now and then, I just don't try to sign up for any shops.

I answer my phone. If it rings I pick it up. I'm old and that's the way I am.

The actual event wasn’t too funny, but the aftermath was.

During a shop for BestMark, a receptionist was rude to me. I made note of it in the report.

I received a phone call from a BestMark editor asking for more information. While I was telling her what happened, it felt like she was entertained by the whole story and I overheard her telling people in the office what happened.

I thought it was funny and I’m glad they got some entertainment out of it.

I was doing gas station audits in a state where they sell liquor at gas stations. I go to my first stop of the day early in the morning, and head straight to the back to check the restroom like I always do. The clerk yells, "Today is Sunday. We don't sell alcohol until after noon." Taken aback, I turn and ask tersely, "What make you think I came in to buy alcohol?" She replies, "Well, this is a liquor store. That's all we sell." I look around, and sure enough she is right. I laugh and say, "Oh. I thought you assumed I was some kind of alcoholic coming to buy booze first thing in the morning. The guy behind me says, "Well, that;'s what I came in here for."

It was a super cold day when I went to a diner type shop that was in a hotel.

Everything, we tried to order they were out of! The server said a banquet the previous evening had wiped out their inventory and deliveries were delayed due to road conditions. (Hubby wasn't happy that we had driven either)

Finally, we asked what we could order and managed to choose 2 entrees. She came back out and said, no fries afterall.

At the end she comped us ice cream. I was new and quite worried about no dessert on the receipt.

It was comical, and I can't remember how the report went.¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

I.was.doing the one chip recall making alot of purchases at 7 11 stores. At one point my card was declined for fraud, or so I thought. After being on the phone with the fraud department for 15 minutes, the guy asked me what did i plan on doing with all of this gas? 7 11 stores show up as gas purchases! So he thought i was making thousands of dollars in gas purchases. I was flagged for terrorism, not fraud!!!!

I had to explain the recall to him and the clerk at the store had to confirm my purchase of chips, not gas.

I've had many funny stories to tell over the years but the one that cracks me up to this day is the time I drove half an hour to do a cell phone shop as a favor to the scheduler. The store was so busy there weren't enough employees to help. After waiting for too long, I saw one fellow rush in and grab a clip-on tie as he offered to assist me. Right there in the small area with all the waiting customers in earshot, he proceeded to go through the spiel as best he could with a stutter that rivaled Porky Pig, facial contortions and all. I was literally biting my lip to hold in my laughter. I felt bad for the fellow, but just picture it. I was finishing his sentences for him and thinking..what did I get myself into here. I wanted to run away and wished it wasn't happening. Before you all think I'm being callous, I wasn't so much laughing at him, but at myself thinking no good deed goes unpunished. And...that's all folks!

Years ago another mystery shopper posted about a gas station audit. They went into the darkened restroom, the motion-activated lights came on and a voice from within said, "Thank you!"

I can't find the post but it still gives me a giggle every time I enter a dark restroom and the lights come on.

I was doing a shop at the roast beef restaurant. It was a very busy restaurant in what was no longer a great part of the city. I did the shop on the way to some higher paying shops. One front end employee was wearing dark shades and got into a shouting match with one of the cooks. Several employees got involved in a heated shouting match. The front end was blaming the back end and the back end was blaming the front end. It was quite entertaining!

I kinda miss those roast beef fast food shops. Haven't seen them in a while.

Recently, I did a gas station shop. Receipt shot out of the dispenser. I chased it down. I got home and noticed that it was a prepaid receipt - not my receipt.

So, I re-did the shop two days later. Cashier is in a booth. I bought a Coke. I asked for a receipt. No name badge. I had to reveal. Cashier came out for the photo. 100% non-binary. No question. Got the photos (including flashing the peace sign and an anime mask). I got home and noticed that it was a duplicate receipt for the gas - not the receipt for the Coke. I gave up and let it drop. I wasn't even sure how I would enter the gender without getting an editor question anyway.

Third time is not a charm. Not going to risk it. It might not be so funny the third time.

@BayShopper22 wrote:

I wasn't even sure how I would enter the gender without getting an editor question anyway.

I would have done my best to pick one: Male or Female. There are no other choices.

@ServiceAward wrote:

@BayShopper22 wrote:

I wasn't even sure how I would enter the gender without getting an editor question anyway.

I would have done my best to pick one: Male or Female. There are no other choices.

Long hair - female
long nails - female
deep voice - male
handwritten nametag with male name - male
anime mask - your choice

Truly the most non-binary person that I have encountered. I was leaning towards male, since the name was written on the name tag for the photo. They could have chosen a female name if they wanted one.
I would like "Unable to determine" as a choice though.

That reminds me of another funny shop while doing a Chase platform shop several years ago. I saw the banker from behind as she was walking away - long brown hair, pencil skirt, 4 inch heels. She turned to face me and said in a very obvious male voice, "Can I help you?" Oh boy, I had to sit through the spiel with my mind obviously not on what they were saying. It was my first encounter with a trans person in a professional setting. Her/his/their makeup was also impeccable. I don't remember how i identified them in the report or if it was asked to do so. I think they had a common male name.

At another Chase shop years ago the lights went out and the fire alarm was blaring, while I sat there trying to finish the shop and get the required business card. The banker kept talking while the emergency lights were the only lights. The manager finally kicked everyone out and i scooted out of the small parking lot just before the fire engines arrived. I did get the required documents. The roof of the building was on fire.

@thunderdeacon wrote:

One time I was doing a gas station shop in rural northern alabama and taking my photos for the evaluation. There was a gentleman in a truck getting gas, and he asked me why I was taking pictures.

Some of my memorable experiences:

1) Similar to the above, I had photos of the menu board and the dining area of a pizza place. Just one table of 3 in the dining area. I took the pics and left with my order. A guy in overalls comes out and demands to know why I took photos of the dining area. (his back was to me, his wife must have told him). I explained I was taking photos of the menu board and the dining area for a Yelp review because they suggest you take photos of those to make your reviews better. He was angry that I took "his photo" without his permission(even though it was the back of his head!). I explained that what I did was none of his business. But he had his hand on my window and was blocking my car from backing up. I am a fierce defender of personal freedoms and knew he had no right to demand any information, or to delete my photos...but I was mystery shopping and didn't want the police called and - not only waste even more of my time for a fee that is only marginally worth it, but also - risk blowing my cover and getting the shop rejected. So I humored him by "deleting" the photo and showing him my album without his picture. Of course, as soon as he left, I went to the trash folder and undeleted it.

2) Sex shop mystery shop - You must ask a knowledge question....so I asked the cashier (also the manager) about the toys with rechargeable batteries, and how long they last before they don't recharge anymore. She said "they're rechargeable. You don't need new batteries". I tried to explain that I know that, but they don't last forever and I was wondering how many times they can be recharged?" She replied with a slightly louder tone and obvious disdain and frustration in her voice "You don't need batteries."

3) Video shop of a fast food place from the drive-thru - As I was waiting for the usual 5+ minute wait at the window for my order, I could see the employee inside taking an order at the counter. The guest was out of view, but apparently didn't have enough money. The employee (same minority race as the guest) started trash talking the guest, using racial slurs and other colorful language (presumably because the guest asked her for a discount or other request). The guest keeps it up, and eventually tosses something at the employee. The employee picks up a few things from her side of the counter and throws them at the guest. She then walks around from behind the counter to the public area, and (out of view) I can hear a few punches land. Got this all on video. Don't know how the client reacted to it.