I have my first hotel shop coming up and I'm a little terrified of screwing it up because of the cash outlay.

There will potentially be a hotel credit to spend. I was looking forward to using this (if it pops up) at the restaurant or bar. There's one question in the survey that is giving me hesitation - the survey says something along the lines of if you are given the credit and staff tells you it can be used for in room dining, order room service. It then asks about certain charges on the folio related to survey. Room service does not sound at all exciting to me and this question is kind of like an afterthought on the survey. It's not mentioned in the guidelines either.

I wrote to the scheduler to ask if the credit could be split between room service and the restaurant or bar. The scheduler kind of missed the intent of the question so I wrote back and asked if the room service was required. The scheduler wrote back and specifically said it is not, but I don't really want to have $1k on the line over room service. So here I am, wondering if anybody here has some experience with this one. Any thoughts?

If it is required, could I just order a snack with part of it and then use the rest for other charges posted to the room? Thanks for any help and/or advice!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/2024 07:15PM by olympia tennenbaum.

The issue might be unique to the property that you are assigned. Therefore, the replies of experienced shopper may not solve your problem I suggest that you try to contact someone at the MSC again and be VERY specific with your question.

@walesmaven wrote:

The issue might be unique to the property that you are assigned. Therefore, the replies of experienced shopper may not solve your problem I suggest that you try to contact someone at the MSC again and be VERY specific with your question.

Thanks. I will probably see if I can do something small via room service. I don't know how to get much more specific than saying "is room service REQUIRED" and have the scheduler respond "room service is not required." But, I feel like the instructions are pretty clear in stating essentially, if it's available, order it. The question itself is more posed as if you did, what happened. But, I really don't want to be sweating $1k over it either.

So you got the elusive intellishop hotel shop ????

(I'm so jealous.) With that out of the way, I agree with walesmaven. Every property may be different.

I can only speak to hotel shops I've done with Coyle and my personal travel experiences. When I've booked personally through American Express, the hotels I visited, the property credits can be used on multiple qualifying items and is like a running total. But some properties may restrict it to spa or dining. When I check-in, they go over all of the benefits with booking through American Express such as guaranteed late checkout and what services and amenities the property credits cover. Other hotels I did for Coyle where I had loyalty status, some properties would have restrictions such as a credit is only offered for breakfast.

I believe the IntelliShop client is the hotel that rhymes with Bray Wyatt. I don't have much experience with that chain. But it doesn't hurt to call the hotel beforehand and ask, as well.

Thanks everybody. I'm having a really hard time using the search on here. I *think* @SteveSoCal maybe had mentioned something about these in the past but I haven't been able to find it.

The form seems like the generic form and not property specific. The question about room service seems like a directive in the information part and a "if you did" in the question part. I think I'll do something small with room service just in case so I've got my bases covered.

This is my first hotel shop period so I'm a pinch nervous.

@nolimitem wrote:

So you got the elusive intellishop hotel shop ????

In my area, there were maybe 8 available. Obviously, I'm guessing each area must be different for availability. I think I've seen these once before but this is my first hotel shop with any MSC. I've done a TON of intellishop shops though.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/14/2024 01:15PM by olympia tennenbaum.

@olympia tennenbaum wrote:

Thanks everybody. I'm having a really hard time using the search on here. I *think* @SteveSoCal maybe had mentioned something about these in the past but I haven't been able to find it.

I don't think that SteveSoCal has done any hotels for Intellishop.

I am just guessing, but I think that you confused the scheduler by asking to use credit on a meal that is already covered by Intellishop? I think that she could be saying, "Just use it for room service. No report required."

Sorry, I can't help for this round of shops. I have not done a hotel for Intellishop in at least a decade.

@BayShopper22 wrote:

@olympia tennenbaum wrote:

Thanks everybody. I'm having a really hard time using the search on here. I *think* @SteveSoCal maybe had mentioned something about these in the past but I haven't been able to find it.

I don't think that SteveSoCal has done any hotels for Intellishop.

I am just guessing, but I think that you confused the scheduler by asking to use credit on a meal that is already covered by Intellishop? I think that she could be saying, "Just use it for room service. No report required."

Sorry, I can't help for this round of shops. I have not done a hotel for Intellishop in at least a decade.

Thanks for your thoughts. All meals aren't covered so it's not that. I'll probably just do a small order if I can so I can cover all the bases.

To me what you have posted means IF you get a credit you need to use it for room service but if you DON'T get a credit then don't worry about ordering room service out of your own pocket.

I would ask and be more clear with the schedulers. In a few shops you are not allowed to use the hotel credits and all hotel charges are being reversed on the card.

@viv0412 wrote:

To me what you have posted means IF you get a credit you need to use it for room service but if you DON'T get a credit then don't worry about ordering room service out of your own pocket.

I'm never quite sure how much of the verbiage of these things I can share, otherwise I'd post the actual wording.

A big part of the shop seems to be how the hotel handles certain perks like late checkout or a hotel credit. The credit is for food and beverage at the resort (although I think some hotels might have experiences). The only weird thing about this section is the instructions sound like a directive - if it's available, order it. But the question is more like, if it is available and if used, was there a fee.

The ambiguity of mystery shopping is the biggest agony to me. I hate having to ask clarifying questions several times thinking that folks are cringing just seeing my name.

Sometimes I feel like I both a company, but then the guidelines should be clearer. I literally had one that said it should be completed by "shopper and one adult guest only. Children are permitted." Which I already thought was very confusing. But then it followed up with everything being for two people so I was more confused.

@nolimitem wrote:

Sometimes I feel like I both a company, but then the guidelines should be clearer. I literally had one that said it should be completed by "shopper and one adult guest only. Children are permitted." Which I already thought was very confusing. But then it followed up with everything being for two people so I was more confused.

It always seems like the guidelines and surveys are edited over time and usually no one goes through with a fine tooth comb to ensure all the details match up. I usually like to do repeat shops so I know what's expected before I get into it but even that isn't foolproof since different editors also have different interpretations. It just sucks that most of the burden is on the shoppers' shoulders. At the end of the day, I've had very few things go sideways and gotten way more benefit than heartache but somehow I still worry!

@olympia tennenbaum Good luck on your shop and let us know how it goes. I'm curious to know what your experience is from this shop. I assumed this shop wouldn't be a full hotel evaluation, but it sounds like it is.

Targeting a hotel that became available near where I live. I've stayed at it before and had a positive experience. Maybe I'll get lucky on the future rounds. Summertime may have been competitive.

I have not done anything for Intelleshop in a LONG time, so I would not know.

Just keep asking questions of the scheduler until you are clear. Better to be annoying to them than have a report thrown out IMHO.

I just got back from a 2-day resort for a brand new client where many questions were not answered, so I just followed the instructions exactly as stated, and did not go by the standards on the form.

If the MSC cannot get the instructions right....it's not my problem.

Good luck @olympia tennenbaum and let us know how it goes.

@olympia tennenbaum wrote:

@BayShopper22 wrote:

@olympia tennenbaum wrote:

Thanks everybody. I'm having a really hard time using the search on here. I *think* @SteveSoCal maybe had mentioned something about these in the past but I haven't been able to find it.

I don't think that SteveSoCal has done any hotels for Intellishop.

I am just guessing, but I think that you confused the scheduler by asking to use credit on a meal that is already covered by Intellishop? I think that she could be saying, "Just use it for room service. No report required."

Sorry, I can't help for this round of shops. I have not done a hotel for Intellishop in at least a decade.

Thanks for your thoughts. All meals aren't covered so it's not that. I'll probably just do a small order if I can so I can cover all the bases.

@SteveSoCal and others who do the resort/hotel shops:

How do you manage to actually enjoy yourself during these shops? Isn't the majority of your time there spent on interactions, observations, checking/photographing aspects of the room (how the towels are folded, are the sheets fully tucked, etc.), and working on reports? It all seems so stressful, plus the worry about fronting all the money and the shop being rejected for some reason.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

@drdoggie00 wrote:

How do you manage to actually enjoy yourself during these shops?

I may approach it different from others, but I do ZERO actual reporting on property. I am responsible for the required interactions, but a majority of those are eating/drinking, which I would do anyway. I also got a massage, and then I had to go the concierge and ask a question I already knew the answer to, so I am probably in for 5-10 minutes of doing something I didn't really need or want to do. I do a lot of photos and audio recordings while I am there, and work from that.

Mind you, I took on the property I just got back from because I wanted to go there. I wanted to try the restaurants and treat my wife to a holiday, and it's relatively near my parent's home, so I took the one free meal period to go have Father's Day dinner with my dad. We also travelled to the area a day ahead and spent an evening with my parents ahead of the shop, so I did sneak a mini vacation in on Friday night.

Yes; it's a lot of work after-the-fact, and it takes a degree of concentration on property, but I have also been doing this for over 20 years and my brain is going to be noting timings and defects one way or the other, so I may as well get paid for it and not have to shell out much of my own $$ for a trip. As far as my wife is concerned, it's all just a vacation for her. We stayed someone on our own recently and basically acted like it was an evaluation anyway, since it's what we know.

I will also say; I kinda like the controlled aspect of it. It settles any disagreements about what we should be doing at any time. Keeps us at 2 drinks per night, 3 meals a day and on a somewhat regular routine, so it's not going to be sad or difficult for me to get up and go to work tomorrow morning. It's just another work day.

I decided I am going to stick to shops I can drive to for the rest of the summer, though, because travel is just crazy right now. The airports are packed and that part is not very enjoyable.

@SteveSoCal Thank you for all that. I have mad respect for anybody who takes on the resort/hotel shops. I'm not sure I could do it—the stress and anxiety would be crushing. I do enjoy hearing about other people's experiences, though. Shopping vicariously, you could say.

Especially hated: The scheduler’s reply is “Read the guidelines.” If the guidelines were written cogently, I wouldn’t be asking the question!

@drdoggie00 I forgot to mention that if you have an assignment that covers all of your meals at the resort, you don't have cook, or get in the car, for any meals...and no dishes. That's the vacation for me!

For me, I've done a good number of shops, but most have been within driving distance and treated them like staycations. However, still new. I've yet to done one that requires air travel. Most have been with Coyle, and a couple with another MSC where it's more like a pitstop for road-trips.

The first one I was very surprised to get. That one still feels like the most work and time invested. I overly prepared and made sure to go through all of the instructions, requirements, and questions. The most recent one I completed went very smoothly and the least amount of time spent on the report. I think this one also felt like the least amount of work because it was a resort located near retail and shopping areas, where everything was within walking distance and wasn't much reason to leave. Also, my guest assisted me with some of the interactions.

For me, it feels like a lot of mini-shops. Checking-in/out, valet, food and dining, phone calls, inspecting areas of the property, and amenities. From my experience, Coyle does a good job with their instructions and telling you when required interactions need to be done during a certain timeframe. And when other interactions are flexible. Each day, I tried to get all of the shop stuff done first and out of the way, and then spend the rest of the time to enjoy.

I agree with SteveSoCal. I like the controlled aspect of it in that I can better plan and anticipate.

But I do go into the shop with the expectation that there will be some work involved. The stay is on the client, and that's the reason I'm there. I make sure to get done what they need and want.

For me, I print out the instructions and report. I check off all of the required parts I've done, to not overthink and second guess if I did something or not. And then make notes along the report. The most recent visit, I updated the report along the way on the website. It helped with pre-visit stuff. But I found that it just cuts into your time at the hotel. The one thing that did help was to actively take inventory of all of the pictures and receipts. When I got back home, I blocked out a long period of time time, and just started writing around seven meals and entertainment narratives straight. This ended up being effective for me.

If you end up doing one of these shops, I would recommend having a lot of cash and smaller bills on hand for tips. If you have the option to pay in cash or charge the room, the advantage of cash is that this will be part of the payment/reimbursement amount that gets paid out quicker, rather than waiting for the folio charge to be reversed.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/18/2024 04:08PM by Okie.

I'd love to hear an update on how this went for you!

@MHN wrote:

I'd love to hear an update on how this went for you!

I ended up not ordering room service. The instructions were posed: if the employee does x, order room service but the question itself made it seem like a choice. At the hotel the employee did not do x so it was not an issue. I was kind of stressed out over nothing (which is not at all unusual for me)!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/2024 02:12PM by olympia tennenbaum.