"How long have you been working here?"
Oh, hi. Haven't seen ya here before - ya new?
LOL no. Been here since August or September 2019. I'm not a daily contributor though, I duck in and out.@ceasesmith wrote:
Oh, hi. Haven't seen ya here before - ya new?
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 04/12/2022 07:25AM by KokoBWare.
There is a fast food drive thru where after ordering you have to ask for their name, shop will be rejected without it. Here's your sign - myystery shopper.
That's ridiculous, I had to ask for my sales guy's name during my shop today (no name tag even though associates are supposed to wear them at this chain), but it's easier during a TV shop -- "if I have any more questions, can I call you, what's your name sir/ma'am?" Most people don't have further questions about their hamburger, though. Ughh.@pegleg2000 wrote:
There is a fast food drive thru where after ordering you have to ask for their name, shop will be rejected without it. Here's your sign - myystery shopper.
@KokoBWare wrote:
LOL no. Been here since August or September 2019. I'm not a daily contributor though, I duck in and out.@ceasesmith wrote:
Oh, hi. Haven't seen ya here before - ya new?
I think cease was giving you an example of what you could say to the rep.
I'm naturally chatty (my kids would say on the verge of nosy), and will often strike up a conversation with 'is your name [Name]"? Or "are you [Made Up Name]?" They usually respond back with their name, but if they don't I'll ask for it directly, telling them they look just like one of my son's friends.
Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt
Many stores are short-staffed these days and associates often have to cover other departments. It doesn't hurt to ask if someone worked in the TV section.
Unless you are really young, you can tell the associate you really need help because the last time you bought a new TV was years ago and you are confused by all the new technology. You can then ask how long they have been selling TVs.
Unless you are really young, you can tell the associate you really need help because the last time you bought a new TV was years ago and you are confused by all the new technology. You can then ask how long they have been selling TVs.
@KokoBWare wrote:
There's a shop I've done for a few years where you pretend to be looking for a 75" big-screen TV. One prominent TV maker is the client and they want to see what the sales associate will say about their product in relation to other brands, whether he/she will recommend theirs over the competitors', etc.
You used to have to ask the associate upon greeting if they worked in the TV section (these are done in a major nationwide electronics and home entertainment chain). That's kinda dumb (would they be in that section if they didn't work there?) but easy enough to do without looking suspicious.
But now you're also supposed to ask them how long they've been selling TVs at this store! Seriously??? Perhaps the MSC and client can just outfit us with a nice neon sign to hang around our necks saying "I AM A MYSTERY SHOPPER!"
Shaking my damn head.
(If anyone has any tips on how to make a "sore thumb" question like that fit in smoothly, I'd appreciate it.)
Lololololol
I tried EVERYTHING to get their name: “So, should I ask for you next time I come in?” “How long have YOU (pause) worked here?” “You sure know a lot about TVs (pause)” “My name is ___________” *extends hand* “thanks for your help (pause)” my wife laughed and said he probably thought I was coming on to him. They were satisfied with a description, but they wanted a name. Lol. Ugh. Today I’m doing the awkward burger place where you yell through the speaker: “What’s your name!?”
Yep.
My bad.
Should have put it in quotes!
My bad.
Should have put it in quotes!
@sestrahelena wrote:
@KokoBWare wrote:
LOL no. Been here since August or September 2019. I'm not a daily contributor though, I duck in and out.@ceasesmith wrote:
Oh, hi. Haven't seen ya here before - ya new?
I think cease was giving you an example of what you could say to the rep.
And Koko's original response to Cease showed why it is a great question to ask to get the info!
I have not done these shops but I find on my own personal shopping I often ask the salesperson how long they have been working there...I do not think any of them thought I was a mystery shopper. You can probably make up "some sale you thought you saw last time" and then ask how long they have worked there if they look quizzical.
How long have you been working here? I need it for my mystery shop! 
I've stopped worrying about stuff like that. I go where they say to go, I do what they say to do, and if it outs me, that's on them. I've never (knowingly) been outed and if some stupid question outed me I'd deny that I'm a shopper and leave the employee's suspicion out of the report.
Yep, thats a real inconspicuous question
I ask associates all the time if they are from the dept. we are standing in. It's a real question. As for asking a name--" Aren't you Brandon who lives at the end of the street but I neve talk to you because it's a long street. Of course I can totally pull off " well if you are NOT Brandon who ARE you?" if name isn't offered. There was a whole discussion here in the past on how to get names out of the nametagless ones.
Ha ha that' a "whoosh" on me.@sestrahelena wrote:
@KokoBWare wrote:
LOL no. Been here since August or September 2019. I'm not a daily contributor though, I duck in and out.@ceasesmith wrote:
Oh, hi. Haven't seen ya here before - ya new?
I think cease was giving you an example of what you could say to the rep.
Issue is the report wants a fairly specific amount of time the employee has been there (<6 months, 6 months-1 year,1 year-3 years etc.), so ... most probably won't answer with a specific time frame (though a few no doubt will).
I hate shops that want super specific info that likely does not come up in daily conversation with "regular" shoppers. To have to weave this question into the discussion is time consuming and unnatural in most cases.
I just say I like to know who I'm talking to, your name is? Nice to me you I'm whatever fake name. How long have you been working here? Can you explain these TVs to me as if I'm 8 years old because I'm not tech savvy. I'd surely appreciate it. Seem meek and helpless, add a head scratch.
I hate seeing that little “click” in their eyes as they listen to your dumb required mystery shop question and figure out who you are. It’s so incredibly awkward for everyone involved.
16 years ago, I was regularly completing Abeulo's Mexican eateries. Although none of the workers wore a tag, I needed the names of the hostess, bartender, server and manager. There was not any question in my mind I was outed. As my pay was $42, which provided a fee of approximately $22, we all simply played a game. I received a delicious meal, a take home of the remainder, a generous fee and they a great report.
My husband is not amystery shopper.
He always asks questions like that.
What's your name? How do you like working here? How long have you worked here? On and on. If he calls the phone/satellite company etc. it's where are you and how's the weather, are you cheering for (insert their local team)
He doesn't know what I'm talking about when I say a question seems awkward. I practice acting like him.
He always asks questions like that.
What's your name? How do you like working here? How long have you worked here? On and on. If he calls the phone/satellite company etc. it's where are you and how's the weather, are you cheering for (insert their local team)
He doesn't know what I'm talking about when I say a question seems awkward. I practice acting like him.
When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Alexander Den Heijer
Alexander Den Heijer
You seem to know alot about these TVs, how long have you been doing this?
I'm glad Fry's electronics is no longer shopped. They used to make us get a first and last name. At the end, not only were they not wearing name tags with first names, they weren't printing quotes and they didn't have business cards. There were three people working in the store and you need first and last names? That was quite awkward. I used to take them with a huge bonus but getting a last name was next to impossible, especially for someone like a cashier.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/21/2022 01:20AM by foodluvr.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/21/2022 01:20AM by foodluvr.
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