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Am I the only shopper in existence to get the comment of “too much information”?

September 24, 2019 04:21PM
I was really shocked by a comment an editor provided to me. She said the client said I gave them “too much information”. I told her I had never heard that comment before, and she said she hadn’t either! When I asked her for more specifics she wasn’t sure the what or why, but said it was just a general comment that came back regarding my report. I was paid and all, but I guess I was too long-winded or something? I don’t know! Anyone else?
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September 24, 2019 04:25PM
Which MSC was this for?
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September 24, 2019 04:29PM
Maybe they just want you to stick to answering questions, no opinions, no unnecessary detail. I have been doing narratives for a long time, I am short and to the point, usually get a 10 and no returns.
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September 24, 2019 04:44PM
Early on I was told by a few MSCs that if I reported a dirty bathroom and the client did not ask me to visit the bathroom, that I was not to mention anything about the bathroom. If the client wants to know about hair color and height and age, don't tell them that the employee has a nose ring and visible tattoos. The client doesn't want that information or they would ask.

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
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September 24, 2019 05:32PM
LOL -- I would prefer that to having a report kicked back because I didn't have enough information!
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September 24, 2019 06:28PM
Each MSC and client has its own quirks. Some want only the questions answered and commented on briefly. Some want a lot of additional information. Eventually, you will learn which ones want what.
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September 24, 2019 07:11PM
Early on, a wonderful editor gave me the same feedback for one MSC and shared the revised narrative. I've used that as my standard for that MSC ever since.
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September 24, 2019 07:31PM
I agree, that was a wonderful editor!
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September 24, 2019 11:52PM
Some of the forms have narrative boxes where they cut you off after 150 characters or so. It is difficult on those I find when there is something wrong to report and often you do not see the limit until you save what you typed. Other companies seem to want short commentary but do not put limits on their narrative boxes. It is too bad they do not give you a heads up before you do the report for both of those.
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September 25, 2019 12:09AM
Second to None
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September 25, 2019 12:10AM
It was unusual!
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September 25, 2019 01:14AM
When I started doing STN grocery shops, I, too, received a comment that I did not need to put in all the information that I did. I was told that the report was fine, but just to cut down on the final commentary of my shop. Just stick to basics, such as, Empl X answered my question about xxxx....Empl Y walked me to the item I asked about....basic stuff like that. So that's what I do now.
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September 25, 2019 05:42AM
I agree if these are the grocery shops. They want the info to be somewhat vague so the associates can’t identify the shoppers.
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September 26, 2019 02:20PM
It’s about sticking to the Scope of Work you agreed to. Going above and beyond is something the MSC’s client isn’t going to give you or them some sort of cash tip, so I understand completely why comments like “too much info” can come back...

Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.
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September 26, 2019 03:44PM
its a learning process for each company

shopping north west PA and south west ny
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September 26, 2019 04:00PM
I tend to write a lot too.
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September 27, 2019 04:46AM
When I started, it took me a long time to write those reports. I was glad to have comments back that helped me see where I could cut back on my details. I have gotten much better at being concise and sticking to the focus of the question asked. Saves me time!
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