First, I just want to say I really have no experience when it comes to any type of gas shop or audit. I have only done one revealed audit. When I first started MS, maybe I did one or two mystery shops at a gas station with a MSC that no longer has any gas station clients in my area. Many of you have probably done tons of these shops!

All that to say, I did want to try out this shop. There was a shop super close to me, and I thought why not? I picked one of these up some months ago, but I never could get to it, and let it drop.

I picked up the one close to me. But then, I was going into another area this evening and thought why not pick up the one near there for a test run, where I wouldn't really go back to that area.

Anyways, it was not that bad. When arriving, my intuition did serve me correctly. It appeared that an older gentleman was loitering around, but I had a weird feeling. He later ending up being the owner. Two younger gentleman were behind the counter. I did have to take some pictures of the sign not working and the window washing unit not being available. I let him go back in before taking the pictures. Also, my gas receipt did not print at the pump. This sort of worked out. Because when I asked the cashier, he was just in street clothes, so I knew I had to mentally prepare for the reveal.

I inspected the inside of the store and restroom. I pulled up the LOA on my phone and took a screenshot. When it was my turn in line, I grabbed some breath mints. I had to ask for my receipt. After I received my receipt, I paused for a bit, and then asked him it would be ok if I took a picture of him in his attire. I let him know that I was there to check if he was his wearing an approved uninform shirt and nametag. I also informed him that he could decline the picture. I then showed him the LOA on my phone. It was look he saw a ghost. His voice went up a level, and he said, "Oh, you're with Chevron." The letter was so small on my phone, but he knew exactly what I was there for. He let me know I could take a picture the counter. The owner observed what occurred, but just watched. I proceeded to frame my camera for the picture, and the cashier stepped to the side. I thanked him, and that was it!

Anyways, I just wanted to share because I would have never done one of these shops if I had not visited these forums. For whatever reason, lately I've been picking up shops to go outside of my comfort zone. Doing this shop and having to do the reveal part, it wasn't as bad as I thought, and I am glad that this specific shop required me to do the reveal. Now, another similar type of shop, I'm not as apprehensive about. But the report is now quite lengthy due to the extra stuff that occurred and the receipt not printing at the pump. So I have to explain the reprint issue and go into detail about a receipt prompt, error message, and what not.

@Okie wrote:

After I received my receipt, I paused for a bit, and then asked him it would be ok if I took a picture of him in his attire. I let him know that I was there to check if he was his wearing an approved uninform shirt and nametag. I also informed him that he could decline the picture. I then showed him the LOA on my phone. It was look he saw a ghost. His voice went up a level, and he said, "Oh, you're with Chevron." The letter was so small on my phone, but he knew exactly what I was there for. He let me know I could take a picture the counter. The owner observed what occurred, but just watched. I proceeded to frame my camera for the picture, and the cashier stepped to the side. I thanked him, and that was it!

My routine:

I am here on behalf of Chevron (true) for the quarterly Customer First Mystery Shop.

Here is the LOA. (I have a copy printed in my vehicle.)

I just need to take a photo of you behind the counter, and then I am finished. (I point to the last line of the LOA.)

90% of the time, I take my photo, wish them a good day and leave. About 8% of the time, they refuse. 2% of the time, they get hostile. Either way, the reveal takes less than 30 seconds. I'm not there for a discussion.

Ah, I like that. I’m going to refine my wording and be more efficient with it.

Congratulations on your first Customer First!

I've done hundreds, and will look forward to hundreds more.

FWIW, I do not say "mystery shop" when I reveal... that can have negative connotations for some employees.

I present the letter and tell them I'm visiting on behalf of Chevron doing a "quick merchandising check". Most clerks noticeably relax once they know it's not a shop and I'm not going to be spending much time there.

I ask if they have the gift cards, or refer to them if I've already seen them. With the latest criteria, I'll also mention the forecourt POP as being present (only 1 location out of dozens have not had it thus far), and I ask a fake question about alternative fuels just so my survey seems a bit more legit... the power of three.

Then I ask for the photo and it's a wrap.

At one time I was banned from this program due to a testy editor and ambiguous address information provided by the MSC. Luckily I was able to reach out to the project manager and get reinstated. They are an essential part of my route shopping strategy, and I will grab every one I can make work when they are available.

Thanks! Good to know. On future ones, I'm going to try to put the CSR more at ease, and find that balance.

On my shop, the price sign was out of order. One issue was that the bulbs were out. Another issue was that it was cracked. But I used the same photo for both. That's the one part I'm unsure if it'll get accepted.

@Okie wrote:

But I used the same photo for both. That's the one part I'm unsure if it'll get accepted.

I always take duplicates of every single picture onsite. Makes for a backup, and it's easier to find the one you want when you are filing a report from your phone instead of dragging and dropping on a computer.

One way to avoid posting a duplicate is to zoom in slightly on the picture in your photo album and screenshot it. Same content, different picture.

@CoolMusic wrote:

FWIW, I do not say "mystery shop" when I reveal... that can have negative connotations for some employees.

I present the letter and tell them I'm visiting on behalf of Chevron doing a "quick merchandising check". Most clerks noticeably relax once they know it's not a shop and I'm not going to be spending much time there.

I ask if they have the gift cards, or refer to them if I've already seen them. With the latest criteria, I'll also mention the forecourt POP as being present (only 1 location out of dozens have not had it thus far), and I ask a fake question about alternative fuels just so my survey seems a bit more legit... the power of three.

Not here. Many clerks speak functional English at best.

@BayShopper22 wrote:

Not here. Many clerks speak functional English at best.

For me, it's been 2/2 with an accent, but no issues with English. But both seemed to be family-run.

@Okie wrote:

@BayShopper22 wrote:

Not here. Many clerks speak functional English at best.

For me, it's been 2/2 with an accent, but no issues with English. But both seemed to be family-run.

I’m happy to explain in any of my five functional languages. I speak no middle eastern or southern Asian languages. Even if I did, there are so many dialects, it would be nearly impossible to get lucky enough to speak the “right” one.

@BayShopper22 wrote:

Not here. Many clerks speak functional English at best.

Duly noted.

Maybe next time I run into a similar situation I'll tell 'em I'm from the IRS, or maybe INS even. That could get interesting..

@CoolMusic wrote:

@BayShopper22 wrote:

Not here. Many clerks speak functional English at best.

Duly noted.

Maybe next time I run into a similar situation I'll tell 'em I'm from the IRS, or maybe INS even. That could get interesting..

LOL in CA, nobody cares. We are a sanctuary state.
Anyone working at these locations is very likely legally-employable anyway.

@BayShopper22 wrote:

@CoolMusic wrote:

@BayShopper22 wrote:

Not here. Many clerks speak functional English at best.

Duly noted.

Maybe next time I run into a similar situation I'll tell 'em I'm from the IRS, or maybe INS even. That could get interesting..

LOL in CA, nobody cares. We are a sanctuary state.
Anyone working at these locations is very likely legally-employable anyway.

No comment for where I live.

I just noticed the new round of Chevrons here in Podunk don't have the usual 6am-3pm/3pm-10pm dayparts listed - they're all 6am-10pm.

In my areas, there's 99.9% of pumps that don't print a receipt and 99.9% of employees that don't have a name tag and/or uniform. I fold the LOA and tuck it in my pocket every time I get out to get gas because I already know I will be using it.

@drdoggie00 wrote:

I just noticed the new round of Chevrons here in Podunk don't have the usual 6am-3pm/3pm-10pm dayparts listed - they're all 6am-10pm.

4th quarter. It's been that way for years. I forgot too, but then again, I have a head injury. (Which might explain my difficulty in correctly doing American Chinese food last month.)

Shop got approved with reusing the single picture. Got lucky. But going to go over the report for all possible issues, and take extra pics on future shops.

I finished the last of my shops today. The last one was the most interesting, but the quickest one I've done so far. A parked and unattended car occupied one of the pumps, where a half-dazed person with his shirt off was also sitting next to the pump.

Inside, the cashier wasn't wearing a uniform or nametag. I made a purchase for less than a $1, and the cashier asked if I could pay cash. Honestly, not knowing if there was a shop requirement on the payment method inside, I told him that I didn't have cash. He told me that I could have it for free. Then, I let him know that I would like two of these. He smiled and said that I was a good person. Ugh, I felt horrible inside. I still had to ask him for my receipt.

I let him know why I was there and showed him the LOA. I don't know why, but I always communicate that they can decline not to be in the photo. I took one of the counter. But then, he said that he actually had his uniform in the back. To his word, he returned with the uniform shirt on a shirt hanger, and to my amazement, with the nametag (not hand-written), already affixed to this uniform. Ugh, I took another picture, even though you're not supposed to take the picture, if the cashier is technically wearing the uniform and nametag. We both smiled and exchanged pleasantries.

I know what the right thing to do is here. But I'm just curious, has anyone else run into this before?

@Okie wrote:

I let him know why I was there and showed him the LOA. I don't know why, but I always communicate that they can decline not to be in the photo. I took one of the counter. But then, he said that he actually had his uniform in the back. To his word, he returned with the uniform shirt on a shirt hanger, and to my amazement, with the nametag (not hand-written), already affixed to this uniform. Ugh, I took another picture, even though you're not supposed to take the picture, if the cashier is technically wearing the uniform and nametag. We both smiled and exchanged pleasantries.

I know what the right thing to do is here. But I'm just curious, has anyone else run into this before?

I don't volunteer that they can decline.

There is a box for "changed into uniform or added nametag after the reveal." Happens about 10% of the time to me.

I was offered food and drinks at 2 of 5 locations tonight. LOL

Oh sheet... I submitted my last report. But I looked at one of my previous reports, and you're correct. I see that answer choice. I've yet to be bribed. But I'm oddly enjoying these shops.

@Okie wrote:

Honestly, not knowing if there was a shop requirement on the payment method inside...

In the guidelines. Cash is the required payment method for the program.

Took a look at the guidelines, and there's a part about paying at the pump using a debit/credit card, mobile app, or gift card. Then, it says to find a small item to purchase and take it to the counter, and ask for your receipt. But I don't think it mentioned cash. So far, the previous ones got accepted.

Picked up another shop nearby though, that looks like it got dropped. On this one, I'll try paying with cash/change for the small purchase. Looking to get rid of change in the car.

Edited to clear up any confusion: This is for the Chevron/Texaco Customer First program. I don't do any other gas stations, so I have no knowledge of payment requirements for those programs.

The gas purchase needs to be with a card, but the inside purchase can be made with card or cash. I almost always pay with cash because most of these places around Podunk have a $5 minimum on card purchases in the store, and I do my best to stay as close to that $1 as possible.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/10/2024 02:07AM by drdoggie00.

I was thinking about this, and it got me nervous again swiping my credit card at the pump. In my area, skimming was a big issue these recent years.

I primarily pump gas at Costco, so this has been quite an eye-opener for me, visiting these gas stations. However, I do enjoy doing them at night now.

Okie, consider getting a Chevron/Texaco gift card to use at the pump. cardcash.com usually has them.

@CoolMusic wrote:

@Okie wrote:

Honestly, not knowing if there was a shop requirement on the payment method inside...

In the guidelines. Cash is the required payment method for the program.

I thought they changed that? I don’t think that’s true.

I don't remember which of the gas stations it is that you're required to use cash for your inside purchase. So rather than confuse myself by trying to remember, I generally use my cards at the pumps, and pay with cash inside, unless I'm completely cash free (which almost never happens). The only time I use a card inside at a gas station is when I'm buying fried chicken for lunch at their QSR counter to use as my required purchase. Editors used to ask why I spent so much inside, but they don't seem bothered by that anymore.

I might try the app to pay, for kicks. Only have one shop remaining, and I'm guessing a physical gift card is needed. Don't think it's going to come in time, but I might stock up for the next time.

@BayShopper22 wrote:

I thought they changed that? I don’t think that’s true.

I sit corrected. Just snagged 26 this morning, and form of payment is no longer specified in the guidelines.

With an active rewards program now in place, there would be benefit to using my Chevron VISA for the store purchase. Guessing I might run into stores with minimum credit card purchase requirements.

I've got 3 of them later today and will try the credit card inside just for a change of pace.

I like to pay with cash for any small purchase so as to not reward the evil credit card companies with the high transaction fees they charge the store. And on a shop, them giving me back the change is the natural time for them to thank me or make a parting comment. With a credit card purchase, there is more potential for those awkward few seconds where I am pausing waiting for the remark.