I got made for the first time and am super depressed.

I was made as a mystery shopper a few months ago but didn’t find out until today. Small business in a rural area without much foot traffic that required a phone call. The MSC has a difficult time filling it. I saw the same woman just about every time I shopped it so I guess it was inevitable unless I wore disguises and borrowed cars plus a voice changing app. It’s just got me depressed. There’s not a lot of shops around anymore and can’t lose too many. The burger chain that seems to be drying up was a huge shop in this area. Has the industry just gone to customer feedback from apps and thin profit margins making the MSC need almost obsolete?? Cheer me up or commiserate.

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Did the company say you can no longer do the shops?

I'm sure several of us have been figured out by employees, especially in small towns or rural areas, but that doesn't always mean you can't do the shops.

What happened?

Yes the scheduler said the client ask that I be removed.

The scheduler emailed me and asked if I would do the shop. I was in the area so I went ahead and did it. When I tried to enter the report I found out I had been removed as a shopper by the client. I am still a shopper for the MSC. I think I had just been so many times and there was usually one of two employees there. A phone call was also required and I have a fairly distinctive Southern accent so I think it was just too often. I tried to get the scheduler to accept the one last shop as the associate was new but no go.

Will, I realize each shopper must act according to their needs and/or desires. If I am assigned a shop, it is not canceled before I am enroute and it is correctly completed, I will either be paid or the MSC will be kicked to the curb.

@WillTravel4Shops

Yeah, i do not understand how they cannot pay you for the work done. They assigned you and you went to do the work. They should not have assigned you or notified you/removed shop from your shop log on whatever site at least the day prior. They cannot remove while en-route or on the premises. I guess they rely on the "must remain anonymous" to be a successful shop?

Even if you were identified, they need to still pay you.

When you said you were "made," I thought you were in the Mafia.

Strangely, I've been told I was detected twice, both times by the same client, and now I'm out of the program entirely. I almost wonder if the client actually trains its employees on how to spot mystery shoppers while simultaneously having its locations shopped. Seems ridiculous but the ways of these companies are mysterious. It just seems freaky to me that I've only been nailed twice and it was the same client; it makes me wonder if I'm bad at this and have been spotted elsewhere but the clients didn't care.

Most companies know exactly when a shopper will be there. They all have access to the same forums we have and they may also get information from their corporate offices.
When I first was shopping, I did an ATT store, On the counter was a paper telling the employees that a mystery shopper would be there. I cant remember if it told the exact day or just a list of some of the days that the shopper would be thee. But it is really easy for some employees to know that a shopper will be here. I really don't care. They give everyone good service.

@Insight wrote:

On the counter was a paper telling the employees that a mystery shopper would be there. I cant remember if it told the exact day or just a list of some of the days that the shopper would be thee.

I remember for some shops, the specific location is told when it will be shopped. While one scheduler did reschedule shops for me on occasion, she was very reticent about it though, and let me know that it leaves a negative impression with this specific client if shops get frequently re-scheduled.

Realistically speaking, how many customers ask for a receipt who are not mystery shoppers? It's a requirement for almost all shops but it's always a giveaway that you're the shopper.

@EnglishMorning wrote:

Realistically speaking, how many customers ask for a receipt who are not mystery shoppers? It's a requirement for almost all shops but it's always a giveaway that you're the shopper.

To answer your question.. When my kids were tiny and I was distracted, a cashier stole money from me. And I had no way of proving that they did, I had no paper receipt. I have requested printed receipts, especially when I'm paying cash, every where I go since then. And I've been accused of shoplifting MANY times (I hadn't, and I don't), and having a paper receipt has saved my hiney every single time. It's not just mystery shoppers that ask for receipts.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/2024 11:27PM by Morledzep.

For bigger purchases, that wouldn’t be out of the question. Especially, if you’re not a member where they could look up your purchase easily with contact info.

It's usually for small purchases like food or coffee that it's pretty obvious you're the shopper if you ask for a receipt. I know of one regional burger chain where they figured out who the shopper was and took his pic and sent it out to other stores. Salespeople depend on their ratings as sometimes they get bonuses so they're always on the lookout on who the shopper is.

@EnglishMorning wrote:

Realistically speaking, how many customers ask for a receipt who are not mystery shoppers? It's a requirement for almost all shops but it's always a giveaway that you're the shopper.

I **ALWAYS** ask for a receipt whether or not I'm mystery shopping....might have something to do with the generation I grew up in, being 71 years old.

Many people submit travel and business expenses for reimbursement, by of course providing a copy of a receipt.

Added:
WT4S: Shake it off. Find new shops and check back with them in 3 months.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/18/2024 11:06PM by jgardn02.

@Morledzep wrote:

@EnglishMorning wrote:

Realistically speaking, how many customers ask for a receipt who are not mystery shoppers? It's a requirement for almost all shops but it's always a giveaway that you're the shopper.

To answer your question.. When my kids were tiny and I was distracted, a cashier stole money from me. And I had no way of proving that they did, I had no paper receipt. I have requested printed receipts, especially when I'm paying cash, every where I go since then. And I've been accused of shoplifting MANY times (I hadn't, and I don't), and having a paper receipt has saved my hiney every single time. It's not just mystery shoppers that ask for receipts.

You should have asked for a manager when that happened. They could have counted her drawer right then and there.

@audrialyn30 wrote:

@Morledzep wrote:

To answer your question.. When my kids were tiny and I was distracted, a cashier stole money from me. And I had no way of proving that they did, I had no paper receipt. I have requested printed receipts, especially when I'm paying cash, every where I go since then. And I've been accused of shoplifting MANY times (I hadn't, and I don't), and having a paper receipt has saved my hiney every single time. It's not just mystery shoppers that ask for receipts.

You should have asked for a manager when that happened. They could have counted her drawer right then and there.

Shoulda, coulda, woulda, this happened 40 years ago. I learned to protect myself proactively.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/19/2024 02:50AM by Morledzep.

I was removed as a shopper when I was witnessed "timing them" I think it was a lucky guess. Because I use my phone to text myself. I can only hope it doesn't happen again. The shops moved to another MSC, so now I am doing them again and hoping that I'm not reported again. Fingers crossed!

@EnglishMorning wrote:

Realistically speaking, how many customers ask for a receipt who are not mystery shoppers? It's a requirement for almost all shops but it's always a giveaway that you're the shopper.

Realistically more than you might imagine. With receipt apps becoming even more popular, many people want their receipts. While asking for a receipt can be a giveaway, it is hardly "always" a giveaway. Even in the gas stations, turnover is high, so unless you are shopping to the owner or a long-time employee, a lot of them know nothing about mystery shoppers and wouldn't think twice about you wanting your receipt.

Also, as @jgardn02 stated, people on business want their receipts, too.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/19/2024 07:45AM by ServiceAward.

@ServiceAward wrote:

@EnglishMorning wrote:

Realistically speaking, how many customers ask for a receipt who are not mystery shoppers? It's a requirement for almost all shops but it's always a giveaway that you're the shopper.

Realistically more than you might imagine. With receipt apps becoming even more popular, many people want their receipts. While asking for a receipt can be a giveaway, it is hardly "always" a giveaway. Even in the gas stations, turnover is high, so unless you are shopping to the owner or a long-time employee, a lot of them know nothing about mystery shoppers and wouldn't think twice about you wanting your receipt.

Also, as @jgardn02 stated, people on business want their receipts, too.

Yeah, sometimes I'll even toss in an "I need it for my Fetch app" to add a little cover.

I pay for almost everything with a credit card even the $2.00 reimbursements so I can say I need to reconcile my bills if anything is said.

I don’t want to say what the business was but the scheduler even said it’s hard to fill and he was sorry to lose me- when he was breaking up with me. I noticed there’s a bonus on the shop now. Yes I am still being emailed the same shops.

I guess I wasn’t officially scheduled. He emailed and asked if I could do it. I had actually shopped a convenience store on the same street earlier in the day and just looped back around to it. I found out when I logged in. It’s my fault that I didn’t double check so I can’t fault the MSC. Just paying a stupid tax.

I used to do a shop that required me to purchase something on my own dime. I would pick the cheapest item usually a piece of gum for 20 cents and then I had to ask for a recept. I am sure the cashier knew I was a mystery shopper.

Many times I will pay then say I need to run to the restroom. "Can I have a receipt just so there's no confusion?"

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I got made for the first time and am super depressed.

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