Warning: Observa risky to shop for!

June 30, 2019 11:36PM

Completed an Observa shop where the gas station manager declined to allow the audit/survey to continue. I did everything according to the guidelines but as gas station mystery shoppers know sometimes the manager will ask you to leave anyway. I received this email

"You will be paid for the first instance that a manager asks you to leave or refuses to let you finish the observation. Future observations where the manager does not allow you to complete the observation will not be paid, as we need to provide quality data to our customer. Please ensure you are speaking to the employee first, and providing the letter of authorization to them immediately."

(FWIW I talked to the employee and immediately presented the LOA.)

It's entirely out of our control if the gas station declines the audit/survey. We should be paid for our time and attempt, not left out to dry because Observa's inability to make the station's aware of their program. The owner told me they were never contacted regarding Observa's program and weren't made aware these surveys would be taking place.

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2019 07:40PM by Jbrz123.

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July 01, 2019 09:44AM

I had a manager tell me that he wasn't aware of this program also. I told him that audits aren't announced. I completed the inspection and was paid the same day.

If the program returns, I would do more stations. You got paid for the ones you did. I'm not sure why you are in a tizzy.

There are many reasons a shop can go sideways. That doesn't mean we should drop every MSC.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

July 01, 2019 10:45AM

Some people are suspicious however I printed like 40 copies of the authorization form and also showed them the questions on the app. I have done over 50 Observas without significant issues besides unhelpful associates who had no clue they had diesel or not lol

It is important you explain that you are just sign taking and measuring signs. I found the less I say the better, if they needed more details read the autorization form. I did have to speak to managers who were away 1 or 2 times but never had a rejected shop.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2019 10:46AM by Mysteriousways.

July 01, 2019 12:15PM

I just did an Observa shop that the owner rejected twice because the "observers" were dressed unprofessionally. One had a wife beater undershirt on and his underwear showing because his pants were so low.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2019 12:15PM by loydrock.

July 01, 2019 12:16PM

If I drive all the way to a location I expect to be at least partially paid if the shop can't be completed due to circumstances out of my control.

Maybe my philosophy is backwards. Maybe I should start telling my friends not to pay their accountants if they get audited. If I don't lose weight at planet fitness I guess I should demand my money back. If someone gets a cavity because they didn't brush their teeth, maybe they should just short change their dentist.

If you show up to an Observa site and there's no manager present, and the employees call the owner, who tells you over the phone to leave immediately and come back tomorrow, should you not be at least paid for your travel and attempt? You drove 15 miles and spent money on tolls.

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2019 12:26PM by Jbrz123.

July 01, 2019 04:40PM

FWIW I have done many of these, and only ever had one refusal. Even some MSCs don't pay a closed location/refusal fee. It happens. As mentioned previously, you got paid so why worry?

July 01, 2019 06:36PM

Jbrz, you paid tolls for a $12 shop?

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

July 01, 2019 06:57PM

The OP is making a very valid and important point. I've seen members here gang up on certain MSCs for declining shops. Here we have a very valid warning and concern.

The bottom line is the MSC has issued a warning, that the shopper has used up their one and only exception, for a situation that is not in their/our control.

I appreciate the OP sharing this.

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson

July 01, 2019 07:04PM

I get it, but that means, based on OP's experience that he did get paid for, that no one should do shops for Observa? That makes no sense.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

July 01, 2019 07:21PM

@HonnyBrown wrote:

Jbrz, you paid tolls for a $12 shop?

Where I live in the country I can't drive 5 miles without hitting a toll. I spend about $170/month on tolls.

@HonnyBrown wrote:

I get it, but that means, based on OP's experience that he did get paid for, that no one should do shops for Observa? That makes no sense.

I was paid this time, however, next time it happens I will not be paid. This is against the norm for gas audits. Observa is the only company who does this.

I expect to be paid for my time. If the MSC can't guarantee I am paid and leaves it up to chance I will not work for them. If you want to throw your name in a hat and leave it up to chance be my guest. This is a part time job, not bingo. I don't hang out at gas stations for my health.

If I'm left unpaid for even 1/100 stations, barring an error that I made, that's still too many.

Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2019 04:06AM by Jbrz123.

July 01, 2019 07:27PM

@HonnyBrown wrote:

I get it, but that means, based on OP's experience that he did get paid for, that no one should do shops for Observa? That makes no sense.

It makes sense to me.

I would not want to be on a route and have a local owner of multiple locations put out an alert to their stores and maybe other owners, all because the MSC has a agreement with the client like this in place.

It is as valid as a concern over late payments or ambiguous guidelines.

I may not agree 100% with the subject line, many subject lines here do not match the subject matter well.

Maybe:

Warning: Observa risky to shop for!

Warning: Before you shop for Observa read this!

Shoppers at risk working for Observa!

My concern about Observa!!

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson

July 01, 2019 07:39PM

I'll admit the title is a little over the top. I wrote this immediately after seeing the Observa email and was ticked off.

"Future observations where the manager does not allow you to complete the observation will not be paid, as we need to provide quality data to our customer."

Really? Observa won't pay because they "need to provide quality data to our customer." It is Observa's job to communicate to the franchisees that these audits are taking place. If the workflow doesn't go smoothly it's Observa's fault. This is just as bad as not paying a shopper for a late report due to the MSC's website going down.

"Please ensure you are speaking to the employee first, and providing the letter of authorization to them immediately."

As if this isn't obvious. How is this supposed to help me? It's like a bad joke.

Observa should stop penny pinching and pay for the work they requested. It's not my fault nor is it my problem that Observa can't sell this data to the client.

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2019 07:45PM by Jbrz123.

July 01, 2019 10:58PM

Jake from Observa here once again. As it was previously stated on this post, being asked to leave the opportunity location is relatively rare. We had to introduce this policy (paying for the 1st instance but none after) because of the numerous attempts from observers to submit fraudulent observations. Many people would say they were kicked out just so they could submit only the comments section and get paid without doing the observation. With this being said there are numerous ways to lessen the chances of being asked to leave. All letters of authorization are printable and you are more than welcome to call any locations prior to visiting to make sure they will allow this type of audit. Being dressed appropriately will also significantly reduce your chances of being asked to leave. We created this policy so that people in your(OP) situation would get paid while acknowledging that we can not accept repeated "asked to leave" observations. Hopefully this clears up our motives behind this policy. Thanks!

July 01, 2019 11:33PM

Jake,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to this. I feel I have a better understanding of the thought that went into this policy. I understand you are in a difficult position with fraudulent observations and had to design a hard line policy to combat this. You don't have any way to get feedback from the stations and verify if the Observer is telling the truth? You are collecting the owner's email addresses after all.

It's awfully convenient you've chosen a policy that lets Observa off the hook when something goes wrong. There isn't even any follow-up required on your part. After completing gas station visits for a few years I am running at ~1% decline rate for every 100 visits. If I were to continue completing your shops I would no doubt eventually be left out to dry.

Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2019 04:07AM by Jbrz123.

July 02, 2019 01:28AM

The name Jake is a typical nickname for Jacob.

Bilingual (Spanish<>English)

July 02, 2019 01:46AM

geez, another Google "genius."

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

July 02, 2019 02:48AM

Honny, it's just our former forum friend.

Kim

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2019 02:49AM by kimmiemae.

July 02, 2019 03:58AM

WHAT? CAN'T YOU READ YOUR OWN POST? JACOB = JAKE.

Is YOUR gut in the way?

@FiberglassForum wrote:

geez, another geezer. Couldn't find the info with your flip phone? Maybe just the gut is in the way?

July 02, 2019 04:05AM

How do you all catch that every time?
And what is wrong with her?

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

July 02, 2019 01:20PM

I clicked this thread hoping it might be work of which I would have an interest. From a logical standpoint, Jake responded in a concise manner, explaining the reason for only paying for a single failed attempt. In life, it is unfortunate that many must be dinged for the actions of a few. If Observa's rules are not to one's liking, they have merely to not be a contractor with his company.

July 02, 2019 01:25PM

@shopperbob wrote:

I clicked this thread hoping it might be work of which I would have an interest. From a logical standpoint, Jake responded in a concise manner, explaining the reason for only paying for a single failed attempt. In life, it is unfortunate that many must be dinged for the actions of a few. If Observa's rules are not to one's liking, they have merely to not be a contractor with his company.

I am expressing my dissatisfaction with Observa's rule and informing everyone of their rule. Observa does not publish this rule. There is no warning or disclaimer. If I had been unlucky enough to have two declined audits in a day I would have felt mislead. Observa should make a greater effort so as not to deceive anyone with an "unwritten" rule that goes against common sense.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2019 01:26PM by Jbrz123.

July 02, 2019 02:00PM

jbrz states: There is no warning or disclaimer. If I had been unlucky enough to have two declined audits in a day I would have felt mislead.

Bob's comment: As I misunderstood the situation, I completely agree with the above. Unwritten rules are a sore point with me, as they only seem to rear their ugly head when it is not in my favor.

jbrz also opines: Observa should make a greater effort so as not to deceive anyone with an "unwritten" rule that goes against common sense.

Bob's opinion: Yes, the rule should be clearly stated, but the use of deceive, when there is zero proof of a premeditated attempt to mislead shoppers, is, in my opinion, an error in judgment.

July 03, 2019 02:05AM

@HonnyBrown wrote:

I get it, but that means, based on OP's experience that he did get paid for, that no one should do shops for Observa? That makes no sense.

Just reread OP and thry didnt say any thing close to "no one should do shops". You are being overly dramatic. Some of us on the board appreciate warnings about unwritten rules. If they are of no use to you then move on. No need to trash the thread.

July 03, 2019 02:19PM

I'm doing nothing of the sort. I'm simply stating the shops any MSC can go sideways, and we end up not getting paid for them. That is a risk we take as mystery shoppers.

I just started doing work for Observa. I didn't get paid for one shop. It was a different issue than the OP had.

Am I going to stop doing their shops? No. I'm going to learn from their feedback and not make the same mistake twice.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/04/2019 05:57AM by HonnyBrown.

July 04, 2019 03:46PM

Back in April I did an observation compliance eShop with a bank and the scenario basically is I didn't have time to meet with the person or Department that I was assigned to. And I explain that to the person but that person set me up right away to speak to one of their representatives. I tried to get out of it I did not want to turn around and walk out. I spent two and a half to three hours at the bank and the shop was supposed to pay $50 and because I ended up speaking with that department I didn't get paid. That was my first bake shop and I got nervous and didn't know what to do. This went sideways on me and was a great learning experience I guess? I have a problem coming across as being aggressive I don't like that that's not my personality unless someone pisses me off then that's another story. I know really no longer want to do Bank assignments. It's sort of scares me then I might mess up because their people are more aggressive than I am. Has anybody else experience this and what did you do? Thanks in advance

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