scotsman
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Mystery Shopping - Chiltern
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telstarbox
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It doesn't pay enough to live on - even if you could find enough work to fill a week you'd barely make the minimum wage.
deltic1989
Established Member
When I worked at a popular fast food outlet, the mystery shoppers had specific times of day when they would visit (they were even marked on the kitchen clock). Of course most tried to not make it obvious what they were doing but the staff could usually work it out.
The shoppers were restricted in what they could order (Medium meal, soft drink (no milkshakes)), and they would usually pay with large notes and, ask for a receipt. (At the particular location I worked at this was in no way normal customer behavior)
One MS though needed no working out at all. I was working on the front counter, and picked her out as soon as she walked in.......Holding a stopwatch
. My spot was confirmed by her order, and by the fact that she then proceeded to sit in the dining area and watch all the staff like a hawk, taking notes.
I myself take on one or two MS assignments that I can do in the course of my normal work. I don't think I have ever been picked out. I think that an articulated lorry and scruffy work clothes, help with my cover somewhat.
I would like to take on some assignments on the railways though. Some experiences I have had in my time using trains would make for very interesting MS reports.
The shoppers were restricted in what they could order (Medium meal, soft drink (no milkshakes)), and they would usually pay with large notes and, ask for a receipt. (At the particular location I worked at this was in no way normal customer behavior)
One MS though needed no working out at all. I was working on the front counter, and picked her out as soon as she walked in.......Holding a stopwatch
. My spot was confirmed by her order, and by the fact that she then proceeded to sit in the dining area and watch all the staff like a hawk, taking notes.I myself take on one or two MS assignments that I can do in the course of my normal work. I don't think I have ever been picked out. I think that an articulated lorry and scruffy work clothes, help with my cover somewhat.
I would like to take on some assignments on the railways though. Some experiences I have had in my time using trains would make for very interesting MS reports.
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One MS though needed no working out at all. I was working on the front counter, and picked her out as soon as she walked in.......Holding a stopwatch
..or an impostor looking for preferential service?
martynbristow
Member
There are several mystery shopping companies that pay different things.
There isn't a rail specific one that I'm aware of
There is:
Market Force: Cheap and Cheerful, they handle Pizza Express, SSP, etc They were mentioned above. I work for them from time to time but the pay has become negative so unless your doing it anyway theres generally no point
ESA had the ATOC contract which has just finished I think.
Mystery Shoppers have the network rail contract.
BDS the parent company of ESA have a contract for Passenger Focus data collection.
Im not aware of many other contracts out there, mystery shopping isn't cheap for companies!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Mystery shoppers can be easy to spot and others can be rather difficult.
I used to work in a well known pub company and people would blah you could tell them a mile off but I never knew of anyone to get it right!
When I do some I'm careful to avoid it when I can, although some agencies insist on scripting it to the nth degree so its so obvious.
I got caught out on one a few months back because they made me go in with some stupid story about being a first time buyer, and I was visiting this bank because I thought there website looked good and I had to bluff my way through certain questions.
There isn't a rail specific one that I'm aware of
There is:
Market Force: Cheap and Cheerful, they handle Pizza Express, SSP, etc They were mentioned above. I work for them from time to time but the pay has become negative so unless your doing it anyway theres generally no point
ESA had the ATOC contract which has just finished I think.
Mystery Shoppers have the network rail contract.
BDS the parent company of ESA have a contract for Passenger Focus data collection.
Im not aware of many other contracts out there, mystery shopping isn't cheap for companies!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Mystery shoppers can be easy to spot and others can be rather difficult.
I used to work in a well known pub company and people would blah you could tell them a mile off but I never knew of anyone to get it right!
When I do some I'm careful to avoid it when I can, although some agencies insist on scripting it to the nth degree so its so obvious.
I got caught out on one a few months back because they made me go in with some stupid story about being a first time buyer, and I was visiting this bank because I thought there website looked good and I had to bluff my way through certain questions.
GfK have London Underground ones too
DelayRepay
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Yes, one of the lessons I learned from my MS days is you sometimes get slightly better service in some fast food outlets if you ask for a receipt
ESA's biggest giveaway is you need to make a journey across London, but you have to refuse Oyster and need a receipt. They will even send you to an Overground station to ask for a weekly season.
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