Jersey Mike’s…worth it or PITA?

Anyone do these recently? I signed up for one and have to take a photo of the slicer area, front-prep area with back line in view and my food. I see no problem with the food photo, but if I’m the only customer there, how do I discreetly take the other photos?

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

I did one recently and I did feel uncomfortable with the inside photos but I just did it. Try and do the counter ones while they're making the sandwich. Take a seat where you can get a view of the prep area and register for that one. I did it with a bonus but I don't think I'd do it at base pay..also I ate half my sandwich before I remembered that photo..don't make that mistake. I bought another one just like it...duh

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

@MsJudi wrote:

I did one recently and I did feel uncomfortable with the inside photos but I just did it. Try and do the counter ones while they're making the sandwich. Take a seat where you can get a view of the prep area and register for that one. I did it with a bonus but I don't think I'd do it at base pay..also I ate half my sandwich before I remembered that photo..don't make that mistake. I bought another one just like it...duh

Thanks! I love JM but it seems like too much work just for $15 reimbursement. Oh well, live and learn.

I have never eaten at a JM, but predicated upon a detailed response by the paternal golden bear, I cast my vote for it being a PITA. Certainly the work:pay ratio is "bottom of the barrel." The shop is one that folks seeking FREE food would find attractive.

I have not done this as a shop but their sandwiches are several large steps above what the other "subway" type restaurants have to offer. If I found the msc I might be tempted to do one.

I just signed up for one and will report back after Monday. Yeah, it looks like a PITA but we really like those sandwiches. Hopefully the reimbursed sandwich will feed both of us. The reimbursement appears to be enough for 1 regular sando, not a giant. Maybe if I add double meat?
Want to know the shop company? I pick up the sandwiches for hubby as he tore his meniscus in his knee. The meniscus is next to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament- the knee issue will lead you to the shop company.

The real question here is: Does FrugalCat actually have a husband with a busted knee? We may never know....

I picked up the one by my house for Saturday. My husband loves the subs so I will also report back.

Rhymes with bolero or at least that's who I shopped it with a couple years ago.

Unfortunately my JM isn't shopped. Their sandwiches are delicious though, so I gladly go and pay my way. I even buy their loaves of bread when we are making sandwiches at home.

There is the truth.
Then there is the right thing to say.

@FrugalCat wrote:

I just signed up for one and will report back after Monday. Yeah, it looks like a PITA but we really like those sandwiches. Hopefully the reimbursed sandwich will feed both of us. The reimbursement appears to be enough for 1 regular sando, not a giant. Maybe if I add double meat?
Want to know the shop company? I pick up the sandwiches for hubby as he tore his meniscus in his knee. The meniscus is next to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament- the knee issue will lead you to the shop company.

I did one a few years ago for the knee ligament company and did not like the report. Maybe it's changed..two sandwiches were required, a cold and a hot. Multiple photos and narrative. The one I did last week was for a Sassie company that doesn't like to give out 10s and has reportedly been paying late. The report with photos was better than knee ligament, but still a pain. Reimbursement was good for a regular sized sub and you can get what you want, but has to be Mike's Way, blah.

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

I did them over 10 years ago at the Jersey Shore not far from where the chain began. Alas, the franchisee in Southwest Jersey is not shopped. The subs are delicious, even on my own dime. Meats are sliced to order. Salads are made in-house. It sounds like the mystery shop requirements have not changed.

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

Ohh, they changed MSC's. Nuts. I don't work with that company anymore. I did like these.

I was disappointed to see that they don't let you order a grilled sandwich. I'm a big fan of their cheese steaks.

I'm not comfortable with the photos they ask for. The sample one of the counter area looks like it was taken by someone holding their camera as high over their head as they could.

In the sample photos, the slicer is taken from the employee's side of the counter. The slicer is the one that makes me leery of doing one.

I like the sandwiches but it sure would be nice if they would throw in a little pay. I guess the MSC isn't known for wanting to pay though.

@amyann2 wrote:

I'm not comfortable with the photos they ask for. The sample one of the counter area looks like it was taken by someone holding their camera as high over their head as they could.

That was my thought exactly. Not sure how I would get that pic, I am not exactly tall!

Well, my husband (he does exist) is 6'1" so I guess I should bring him to help with the photos. But then he will want his own sandwich- there goes the reimbursement. Husband actually did tear his meniscus more than 10 years ago. He had it surgically repaired and is fine now.

Frugal's clue was "spot on." I completed a single shop for them eight yrs. ago. The report was, in my opinion, far too extensive for a pizza AND I was contacted twice for additional comments. As neither party terminated the other, I might still be contracted, but have not the slightest desire to punish myself, I am not masochistic, with the injured knee MSC.

The msc is being cheap. $15 reimbursement and no fee. If I get a regular sub, drink and chips I’m over the reimbursement. For the amount of work required they should reimburse $20.

I do other shops for them but only when heavily bonused. I don't like their reports. The JMs seem difficult so I will pass until I see a bonus offered.

Ok, I did it….10 foot pole list definitely!!! The manager was standing in the lobby, watching everything. I could not take a good angle of the slicer, as the employee was using it the entire time (the location was busy). Also, the food prep station photo I took has the employee in it. He never left the station. I’m 5’4” and did the best I could, but it’s super difficult to be discreet. I would recommend avoiding.

I’m doing one tomorrow. Are you just going to submit the photos with employees in them? It sounds like they are the only photos you were able to take. I’m going to do my best and I feel like this will be a one and done as well. The location is by my house, so if I mess up, I’m only out the cost of a sandwich and my time. Lesson learned.

@Phoebe70 wrote:

Ok, I did it….10 foot pole list definitely!!! The manager was standing in the lobby, watching everything. I could not take a good angle of the slicer, as the employee was using it the entire time (the location was busy). Also, the food prep station photo I took has the employee in it. He never left the station. I’m 5’4” and did the best I could, but it’s super difficult to be discreet. I would recommend avoiding.

@gigishopper wrote:

I’m doing one tomorrow. Are you just going to submit the photos with employees in them? It sounds like they are the only photos you were able to take. I’m going to do my best and I feel like this will be a one and done as well. The location is by my house, so if I mess up, I’m only out the cost of a sandwich and my time. Lesson learned.

I submitted the photos and explained that I did the best I could given the circumstances. The young man at the prep station never left his area, same with the guy slicing meat. There were customers in line ahead of me and behind me, preventing me from getting certain angles. I’ve been a shopper for 13 years and this was one of the only shops I’m uncertain will be accepted.

Keep us posted!! Good luck!

@Phoebe70 wrote:

@gigishopper wrote:

I’m doing one tomorrow. Are you just going to submit the photos with employees in them? It sounds like they are the only photos you were able to take. I’m going to do my best and I feel like this will be a one and done as well. The location is by my house, so if I mess up, I’m only out the cost of a sandwich and my time. Lesson learned.

I submitted the photos and explained that I did the best I could given the circumstances. The young man at the prep station never left his area, same with the guy slicing meat. There were customers in line ahead of me and behind me, preventing me from getting certain angles. I’ve been a shopper for 13 years and this was one of the only shops I’m uncertain will be accepted.

I did one today. There were four employees behind the counter facing me and other customers ordering. I got the slicer but only from one angle and was not able to lift my phone high enough to get a good picture of the service line. I explained in the comments. The report also has some narrative in each section. Definitely not worth it for no pay. I probably won't do another unless it is bonused. Quite a few of the shops in my area have been taken. If they continue the program, I would be surprised if anyone does these again for no pay.

To clear up what I think might be some confusion here, there are 2 different MSCs being discussed here.

I haven't done the one that used to require 2 sandwiches along with photos, phone call and no pay if not bonused in a few years. (Knee ligament msc) Report was terrible, imo.

The one I did recently and the one the OP did (I think) was for a Sassie MSC. There was a fee plus reimbursement for 1 sandwich plus I had a $15 bonus. Uncomfortable interior photos were required.

I also used to do them for a different company that was testing Google Pay. That one was the best. Large reimbursement for 2 sandwiches and no other bs in the store. Just screen shots done at home. Sadly, I haven't seen them in quite awhile now.

Edited to add, ive had anterior cruciate ligament surgery before it was done arthroscopicly (12" scar) 1976, followed by arthroscopic meniscus surgery 5 years ago...3 little dots.

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/07/2024 01:02PM by MsJudi.

I did one this week. Won't touch again with a ten foot pole. There were five employees, a constant stream of customers, and the glass/plastic partition was covered with various signs. It was impossible to get a clear shot of anything, and I certainly wasn't going to very obviously hold the phone above my head since we were supposed to be "discrete". I took the photos best I could, edited out employee faces, and mentioned in my report how there was literally no way to get a clear shot of anything.

Has yours been approved yet? That is what my plan is for the one I self assigned for today. I’m sure the location will be busy as it always is.

@mysterioso412 wrote:

I did one this week. Won't touch again with a ten foot pole. There were five employees, a constant stream of customers, and the glass/plastic partition was covered with various signs. It was impossible to get a clear shot of anything, and I certainly wasn't going to very obviously hold the phone above my head since we were supposed to be "discrete". I took the photos best I could, edited out employee faces, and mentioned in my report how there was literally no way to get a clear shot of anything.

I just completed mine. The sandwich and drink came to $14.62 (no chips!). The sandwich was delicious and I shared it with my husband. The pictures were not hard to take either. I guess I got lucky. I would probably do this one again ONLY if the location was convenient. This location is walking distance to my house, so we walked there and back for a nice little stroll and early dinner.

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

Jersey Mike’s…worth it or PITA?

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine