Asking for a name? Here's an easy way to get it!

I've used this many, many times in the past and it has always worked. MOST stores have a response card in their store that says, "HOW ARE WE DOING?", or something like that. I ask the employee if they have such a program, and they say, "Why do you ask?" I tell them that I always like to comment on a job well done, and that I used to work in retail (or whatever) and I just wanted to make sure I had her/his name spelled right for the comment card. Shoot, I've even had them write their name down and the name of the department they work in -- so I can get it right on the comment card!!! If they don't have a special reward program I ask them to write their name down for me, because I like to put a positive "note" to the store manager -- "After all, they always hear about the negative stuff the employees do -- I like to put some positive things in their folder, whenever possible -- you never know, it might just help when it comes time for a wage increase or a promotion!" Gladly, gladly, gladly, they write it all out for me!! Hope this helps ~~

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And then do you follow through and actually leave the manager a positive comment about the employee?

then you couldn't mystery shop that same store in the future as you made yourself too memorable. If im doing unrevealed shops, always try not to do anything out of the oridnary that a regular customer would not do. Anything else, and they will remember you if you shop there again in the future.

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There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
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When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody

techman01 ~ Ever since I dyed my hair red, it has made me more memorable even though I change up my hairstyle for my frequently repeated shops. Maybe I need to go back to blonde so I can blend in with the rest of South Florida. (Sorry for going off topic.)

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“I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.”
~ Jimi Hendrix

“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” ~ Mark Twain

“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” ~ J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

@shop2liveinFL - wear a hat, a different one each time instead of changing the color back to blonde.

techman01 ~ But you have to remove hats and sunglasses when you do a bank shop. Otherwise they might think that I am doing a bank heist! ;-)

I've seen those signs on occassion but I wear a hat into banks all the time. Even a couple that I saw that said no hats or glasses. Maybe because it's a baseball cap, they don't say anything.

With limited exception, I generally stay away from bank shops.

Glad you refer to them as shops. It always sounds bad when someone says "bank jobs."

I never take off my baseball cap when going inside, but always sunglasses because it's just too damn hard to see with them on.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

I just ask their name and immediately add a request such as "John, I'm looking for/I need, etc. etc." or ask their name and use it to thank them such as " well Mary, thank you for your help".

John is okay with it anticipating a sale, while Mary is a bit embarrassed because she didn't introduce herself and I'm set since I got the name.

It's easy to ask their name when they are doing a good job, but much harder when they're doing a bad job.

Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@

~Polish Proverb~

cubbiecat Wrote:
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> It's easy to ask their name when they are doing a
> good job, but much harder when they're doing a bad
> job.

What's the difference?

I still haven't heard if the OP does actually give praise reports.

Carol - We're thinking along the same lines here. I see it as an OK way to get a name provided there is a follow through with the promised "attaboy". Otherwise, it would be unkind to set up someone to expect to get a praise with no intention of providing it. Whether or not it "makes" the shopper, this scenario should be followed up with positive verbal or written comments to management. I know we can't always present ourselves 100% truthfully doing what we do, but there are ethical limits to scenarios we use. That's a fellow working human on the other end of the transaction. We should extend to others the respect and consideration we hope to receive.

Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.

I would probably never use the OP's suggestion because it creates the hope that the customer is going to contact someone associated with the company to give a good report on them....which I would not do, with the exception of my report to the MSC. I would not tell them I was going to do that unless I was, and when MSing I think contacting the company directly would not be good.

Austin - I agree. I wouldn't use the "attaboy" scenario because it would reveal my identity. But if I were going to use it, I would follow up with the promised recommendation. I would not outright mislead the person being shopped regarding this sensitive and personal issue.

Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.

I don't use the attaboy scenario, but I do say you have been so helpful, what is your name? and then say thank you and their name.

G3B Wrote:
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> I don't use the attaboy scenario, but I do say you
> have been so helpful, what is your name? and then
> say thank you and their name.

I use that one sometimes....and the "I'm getting in your line from now on! What's your name?" My personal favorite is to "Are you Susan?" I usually get "No, Jennifer." I can always pretend he/she looks like one of my son/daughter's friends......

AustinMom Wrote:
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> >
> I use that one sometimes....and the "I'm getting
> in your line from now on! What's your name?" My
> personal favorite is to "Are you Susan?" I
> usually get "No, Jennifer." I can always pretend
> he/she looks like one of my son/daughter's
> friends......

Be careful with this one. I did an Abercrombie shop and none of the employees wear name tags. I approached the employee and said, "Are you Laura?" and she simply said, "No." lol. Very frustrating.

Yes I have had them just say no....LOL....then I usually say "Oh sorry .... what IS your name?" I'm pretty pushy when I want something

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