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I just looked at the assignment on the KSS site and saw that the max age for shoppers is 55. That might be why you haven't gotten offers, Irene. BTW, I am completely shocked! It really makes NO sense at all. All that said, there was a guy in my training who appeared to well over that age...I'm officially stumped!
NT...your probably right, I didn't know that...geez, seniors eat too, and have the time to go out. I'll have to go there on my own dime. Thanks for solving the problem as to why their ignoring me.
Live consciously....
I dunno. Like I said, there was a guy there who was definitely at LEAST in his 60's. But again, it's not Ardent who does the recruitment, and you're only accepted as a shopper when you complete the training, which is set up through KSS.
You have to be invited and accepted in order to train (right), I can't get hot air out of them, and was receommend by someone who works for them. Maybe that guy lied about his age?
Live consciously....
The shopper offer comes through KSS, just like others do. It's not a special invitation thing. No answer for that guy...I guess it's possible, but somehow that explanation doesn't ring true. I may have an opportunity to find out more on the age thing. If I do, I'll let you know.
I am well over 55 and was when I was invited to train about 4 years ago. Go and get trained and you will get assignments.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
walesmaven Wrote:
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> I am well over 55 and was when I was invited to
> train about 4 years ago. Go and get trained and
> you will get assignments.
I wonder why they have that age requirement there... So strange.
Irene, the training is considered a shop unto itself. The email comes from KSS, It cites the business and available area codes to shop, but states that what you are applying for is the training. The location, date and time of training are specified in the email.
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> I am well over 55 and was when I was invited to
> train about 4 years ago. Go and get trained and
> you will get assignments.
I wonder why they have that age requirement there... So strange.
Irene, the training is considered a shop unto itself. The email comes from KSS, It cites the business and available area codes to shop, but states that what you are applying for is the training. The location, date and time of training are specified in the email.
So, the routine is: apply to shop for Ardent; wait for a training announcement that will come the same way that shop assignments come to you (via email); attend training in order to be activated; go to the Ardent web site and indicate which locations you are willing to shop. Then, check their web site frequently to see what locations go on the "orphans" list. Those may not be on your "preferred locations" list, but may give you a chance for a shop when you travel farther afield on business or pleasure. Each month Ardent will email you a list of shops they would like you to do. If any conflict with your schedule, just eamil them back and they will work with you. The one absolute is that shop reports must be in within 24 hours of the shop.
The food is great, the training is paid time with free food, the ordering guidelines give you many choices, the shop fees will easily feed two with cash left over, but only one meal is required, so you can take more in cash that way. And, they pay like clockwork. What's not to like?
The food is great, the training is paid time with free food, the ordering guidelines give you many choices, the shop fees will easily feed two with cash left over, but only one meal is required, so you can take more in cash that way. And, they pay like clockwork. What's not to like?
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I use to work for them. We parted ways when I had a VERY unusual incident happen while on the shop. I emailed the contact person and asked for advice. A few days later, she responded. We were past the very firm 24 hour reporting window. I was locked out of my report.
The report was unlocked, I entered my report, but it refused it if I put the original shop date in. So I put in the current date and my report was accepted. I emailed the contact person.
She forgot to change the date back. Client caught the date error and called Ardent Services on it.
The client accepted the report. I was paid. But for CYA reasons, the contact person will no longer offer shops to me.
Once I got the hang of the reports, no problem. I received top scores every time.
So, in my case, it was both of our "bads". I made a decision to contact the scheduler before entering my report because the incident was so out of the ordinary and affected everyone in the restaurant there was no way to do the report without including it. Otherwise, they failed every aspect of the shop. Like that is going to fly??? It was only fair to provide a very toned down explanation as to what happened.
The reports are long. They do want detail.
The report was unlocked, I entered my report, but it refused it if I put the original shop date in. So I put in the current date and my report was accepted. I emailed the contact person.
She forgot to change the date back. Client caught the date error and called Ardent Services on it.
The client accepted the report. I was paid. But for CYA reasons, the contact person will no longer offer shops to me.
Once I got the hang of the reports, no problem. I received top scores every time.
So, in my case, it was both of our "bads". I made a decision to contact the scheduler before entering my report because the incident was so out of the ordinary and affected everyone in the restaurant there was no way to do the report without including it. Otherwise, they failed every aspect of the shop. Like that is going to fly??? It was only fair to provide a very toned down explanation as to what happened.
The reports are long. They do want detail.
I have shopped for Ardent for almost two years on a regular basis. They are a wonderful company to work for. I find the schedulers are responsive and work with you when issues come up. The reports are on the long side and require a good bit of narrative written to conform to their instructions. They have one client who is expanding (at least in my part of the county). It is my understanding they take on new shoppers only when and where needed.
Irene LA: You may have had bad timing.
ijdk: Based on my experience, I would have entered the report and sent an immediate email to the scheduler giving them a heads up as to the issue(s).
Irene LA: You may have had bad timing.
ijdk: Based on my experience, I would have entered the report and sent an immediate email to the scheduler giving them a heads up as to the issue(s).
Happily shopping Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut
Having completed my first round of shops, I can definitely vouch for the helpfulness and great attitude of scheduler and editor. However, I WILL say that, for me, these shops are no less stressful than a fine dining shop! I hope they get easier over time.
nicely,
They definately do get much easier after about three of them. It's not up to us, for instance, to get the crew members to speak or act. Many, even most at some locations, don't speak to me, just point and "look a question" at me; you can wait until you are seated and eating to get a really good look at the crew; use the time when you are at the service line to look mostly at the food.
Enjoy!
They definately do get much easier after about three of them. It's not up to us, for instance, to get the crew members to speak or act. Many, even most at some locations, don't speak to me, just point and "look a question" at me; you can wait until you are seated and eating to get a really good look at the crew; use the time when you are at the service line to look mostly at the food.
Enjoy!
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Food is no problem, it's the crew members. They increase in number and/or disappear during visits. Makes it even tougher to make sure everyone's identified correctly, and identifying all their individual activities is a bit of a challenge.
BTW, on both my shops, I was spoken to in the dining room. Of course, it made me wonder if they thought I was the shopper. Then I realized, there must be at least one person every day that they think is the shopper!!
BTW, on both my shops, I was spoken to in the dining room. Of course, it made me wonder if they thought I was the shopper. Then I realized, there must be at least one person every day that they think is the shopper!!
nicely,
Regarding being spoken to in the dining room: the client places great emphasis on this in their training of managers and crew. You may just have hit two sites where they really take that standard seriously. As for the problem with the changing cast of characters on the serving line, report the crew as it was when you interacted with them going down the line. Then, as you eat and watch, you can just mention that others came and went, helping out withut saying what the total cast of characters amounted to at every turn of events.
Sort of..."As I ate I noted that three different people took turns either as servers or expeditors. These were: (quick list of three descriptions.) " end of story. When I started out I also felt that the report requirements were more complex than they really are. But I found that if the client was managing. for instance, to clone female line crew in the back room, I was not expected to be able to do better than to repeat the same description for all five that I met. And, if the salsa and cheese crew members had all taken vows of silence, I didn't need to try to change that.
Regarding being spoken to in the dining room: the client places great emphasis on this in their training of managers and crew. You may just have hit two sites where they really take that standard seriously. As for the problem with the changing cast of characters on the serving line, report the crew as it was when you interacted with them going down the line. Then, as you eat and watch, you can just mention that others came and went, helping out withut saying what the total cast of characters amounted to at every turn of events.
Sort of..."As I ate I noted that three different people took turns either as servers or expeditors. These were: (quick list of three descriptions.) " end of story. When I started out I also felt that the report requirements were more complex than they really are. But I found that if the client was managing. for instance, to clone female line crew in the back room, I was not expected to be able to do better than to repeat the same description for all five that I met. And, if the salsa and cheese crew members had all taken vows of silence, I didn't need to try to change that.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Nicely,
For me, the shops also have gotten much easier with practice. As for the crew, I observe them from the dining room and memorize their descriptions and assign them a location in place of a name, usually the spot I first see them work. I'll look for distinguishing features, like tattoos, piercings, etc.. In the narrative, I describe where they worked during the visit, which may include other areas. For example, the cashier (insert description) usually stayed at the register to process transactions, but on several occasions cleaned tables and swept the floor in the dining room. Once, she donned gloves and greeted a person at the warmer and made his order, then processed the transaction.
As for being spoken to in the dining room. I second Walesmaven's comments about the emphasis the client puts on dining room interaction. They are just doing their job (and well, I might add).
In addition, I have learned to avoid shopping during shift changes.
For me, the shops also have gotten much easier with practice. As for the crew, I observe them from the dining room and memorize their descriptions and assign them a location in place of a name, usually the spot I first see them work. I'll look for distinguishing features, like tattoos, piercings, etc.. In the narrative, I describe where they worked during the visit, which may include other areas. For example, the cashier (insert description) usually stayed at the register to process transactions, but on several occasions cleaned tables and swept the floor in the dining room. Once, she donned gloves and greeted a person at the warmer and made his order, then processed the transaction.
As for being spoken to in the dining room. I second Walesmaven's comments about the emphasis the client puts on dining room interaction. They are just doing their job (and well, I might add).
In addition, I have learned to avoid shopping during shift changes.
Happily shopping Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut
I think I'm just out of their limit...I shop 30 miles, and that's too far for me to go for lunch. They opened one in my town a year ago, not sure why that's not shopped. Still haven't heard a thing from them.
Live consciously....
I'm fine with the narrative, and got glowing reviews on my first set of reports. However, while I find the food easy, it takes me more time to "absorb" personnel. On the shops I did, there was an extraordinary amount of movement and both times, a couple of crew members disappeared immediately after serving. I did catch later glimpses, but it took time. And on my second shop, there were A LOT of crew members.
Yes, I completely understand about the crew members' training. It was very clear in shopper training what is expected. I was impressed in that session, and in general, impressed with the operation.
However, vlade5394 Wrote:
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> In addition, I have learned to avoid shopping
> during shift changes.
THAT, is excellent advice!
Yes, I completely understand about the crew members' training. It was very clear in shopper training what is expected. I was impressed in that session, and in general, impressed with the operation.
However, vlade5394 Wrote:
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> In addition, I have learned to avoid shopping
> during shift changes.
THAT, is excellent advice!
Irene_L.A. Wrote:
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> I think I'm just out of their limit...I shop 30
> miles, and that's too far for me to go for lunch.
> They opened one in my town a year ago, not sure
> why that's not shopped. Still haven't heard a
> thing from them.
Irene, all them are shopped. If there's only one in your town, chances are they just don't need shoppers there. If you're really interested, I would write to the KSS scheduler you know best and ask them to inquire on your behalf. In the time I've been registered with KSS (almost a year), I've seen just 3 recruitment emails.
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> I think I'm just out of their limit...I shop 30
> miles, and that's too far for me to go for lunch.
> They opened one in my town a year ago, not sure
> why that's not shopped. Still haven't heard a
> thing from them.
Irene, all them are shopped. If there's only one in your town, chances are they just don't need shoppers there. If you're really interested, I would write to the KSS scheduler you know best and ask them to inquire on your behalf. In the time I've been registered with KSS (almost a year), I've seen just 3 recruitment emails.
Where I am, in the Mid-Atlantic, scheduling happens directly through Ardent staff. I seem to recall the wh regionen training was available, the announcement and invitation to sign up with Ardent came from KSS, but that was the last contact I had with KSS concerning this company.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Yes, Ardent is the direct contact after training, but the key to entry into the company seems to be exclusively through KSS.
txguitar Wrote:
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> Anyone have any experience with Ardent services
> ,any feedback would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks
I know that they are doing the mystery shop training for all Chipolte Grill restaurants. And if you miss the training date they won't allow you to reschedule.
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> Anyone have any experience with Ardent services
> ,any feedback would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks
I know that they are doing the mystery shop training for all Chipolte Grill restaurants. And if you miss the training date they won't allow you to reschedule.
guavabear, please drop the client name from your post as the company is named in the thread already. Use the edit button in the lower right hand corner of your post. Thanks!
I saw through Kern scheduling Ardent is having a conference call and training near me. I finally am involved, so, guess I'll be doing there shop soon.
Live consciously....
I have worked for them and done many jobs for their one client, southwestern food fast food. The "company training" was fascinating, a group of mystery shoppers were invited for lunch and a two hour presentation on client standards (and yes, we were paid for training!).
The jobs are difficult because the standards that the company expects from their crew members are truly unreasonable. From the ms standpoint for a flat compensation of $25 the reports require too much detail and, unfortunately, too many "nope's" because of the unfair company standards.
The jobs are difficult because the standards that the company expects from their crew members are truly unreasonable. From the ms standpoint for a flat compensation of $25 the reports require too much detail and, unfortunately, too many "nope's" because of the unfair company standards.
mysterymom Wrote:
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>
> The jobs are difficult because the standards that
> the company expects from their crew members are
> truly unreasonable. From the ms standpoint for a
> flat compensation of $25 the reports require too
> much detail and, unfortunately, too many "nope's"
> because of the unfair company standards.
I'm not sure what you think is unreasonable or unfair about what their standards. And granted, I'm just a few months into this, but I think I've done only one report that had more than two "nope"s. I look at the training materials when I do the report to make sure I'm responding correctly. Just last month, if I hadn't looked, I would have given something a "nope" that deserved an "okay", and an "okay" for something that actually was a "nope".
As far as the difficulty of the reports, I agree with you there! I'm hoping they get easier. In terms of the compensation, I would love it to be more, but I think it's way more fair than other dining shops, especially those that are just reimbursement only. Unlike others, with this shop I can walk away with some cash, and it's actually somewhere I would eat on my own!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/02/2010 08:54PM by nicelytwicely.
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>
> The jobs are difficult because the standards that
> the company expects from their crew members are
> truly unreasonable. From the ms standpoint for a
> flat compensation of $25 the reports require too
> much detail and, unfortunately, too many "nope's"
> because of the unfair company standards.
I'm not sure what you think is unreasonable or unfair about what their standards. And granted, I'm just a few months into this, but I think I've done only one report that had more than two "nope"s. I look at the training materials when I do the report to make sure I'm responding correctly. Just last month, if I hadn't looked, I would have given something a "nope" that deserved an "okay", and an "okay" for something that actually was a "nope".
As far as the difficulty of the reports, I agree with you there! I'm hoping they get easier. In terms of the compensation, I would love it to be more, but I think it's way more fair than other dining shops, especially those that are just reimbursement only. Unlike others, with this shop I can walk away with some cash, and it's actually somewhere I would eat on my own!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/02/2010 08:54PM by nicelytwicely.
I don't see the client company's standards for food, conduct and cleanliness as excessive or unfair. The client is well known for retraining employees where needed, so our shop results are being put to positive use. I have rarely had more than a couple of "nopes" and have done several shops per month for about 4 years. AND, with extra beans, my bowl with meat makes at least two lunches for me! The food is so good that I often go there for lunch when I am not shopping.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
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