Mystery Shoppers

[msreardon4]

I just got fired from blockbuster video because of a bad mystery shop score i got a 70% my district manager is Kelly LaFelle and she is the devil. she text messaged my manager to tell him to fire me and now they are trying to fight my unemployment. So when is it ok for a customer to fire you because that is pretty much what happened.

[Woodstock]

I just got fired from blockbuster video because of a bad mystery shop score i got a 70% my district manager is Kelly LaFelle and she is the devil. she text messaged my manager to tell him to fire me and now they are trying to fight my unemployment. So when is it ok for a customer to fire you because that is pretty much what happened.

Me thinks that there is more to the story than what you are telling us...... I have known stores to get a lower MS than that, and they didn't fire the manager.

[CreepyNormal]

How do you get a job as a BB Mystery Shopper?

[Lomithrandel]

How do you get a job as a BB Mystery Shopper?
you have to be able to spell, and that's only a guideline, not a rule

[brantheman]

I just got fired from blockbuster video because of a bad mystery shop score i got a 70% my district manager is Kelly LaFelle and she is the devil. she text messaged my manager to tell him to fire me and now they are trying to fight my unemployment. So when is it ok for a customer to fire you because that is pretty much what happened.

Me thinks that there is more to the story than what you are telling us...... I have known stores to get a lower MS than that, and they didn't fire the manager.

I've gotta agree with Woody (you like that?:cool:), Msreardon. You're not dishing all the dirt here. Over the past seven months, the shop has come on my shift, and as a shift leader, if anyone working on my shift fucks up a shop, it will ultimately fall on me. I've been the person shopped about half of that time, and i'm willing to admit that i've only received a 100% twice, and once I even scored as low as a 68%. My CSRs, on the other hand, have yet to dip lower than 88%.

The shops are stressful for everyone and up until recently were more stressful than ever. But now with the new, morn lenient "Did you witness another customer being offered" add-on to the online questions (after all, thats all they seem to care about anymore), it's pretty damn easy to ace, or at least pass enough to where your ass isn't going to take any heat for it. If you failed it, it was probably about of shier laziness, and i'm sure it was stressed to you by your manager/s that it was vital that you do well during shop.

Anyway, give us some more details and maybe some of us might be more sympathetic.

[coldie]

5 out of the 6 times I've been shopped have been 100s. I expect no less and I let my CSRs know that as well. The 6th time a CSR forgot to upsell (before online became a big part of it) - she was written up promptly.

[whorehoppin]

you really can't get fired for just one mystery shop - they can write you up for that low score but they can't just fire you for that - there had to have been a couple other similar write-ups that would lead to your firing.

[msreardon4]

no i had 3 mystery shops at 3 different stores within 2 weeks all of them averaged a 70% I was a CSR and my district manager never liked me I was written up 2 times at the other stores but my record was clean at my store. I am kinda glad that I got fired but yet i am mad b/c I have been there for 3 1/2 years and they fired me right before christmas and i still have not been able to get a Job.

[johnlow71]

o well then there you have it;)

[Angry]

Mystery shops are a bunch of bullshit. Which is the reason we only have 2 of them per year at our franchise stores now. And I'm pretty sure the only reason we have those 2 is because they're corporate mandated.

[AbandonedDreams]

I was working alone once on a Saturday night. I didn't walk away from the register until about 8pm, I didn't have my name tag on because once I got there I had to jump on register (and get someone to edit my time card later). People kept calling me and of course I had to answer the phones and check people out at the same time. I got a 25% and got written up for it. When I explained to the SM that the CSR didn't get there until later and I was alone, she told me she wouldn't have even written me up (especially under those circumstances) but the DL said no exceptions.

[johnlow71]

i feel for ya but i know they would say that same shit no exceptions bullshit also. i got a deduction off my score because i had some asshole interupting me with my customer, who i know was the secret shopper. i wanted to hit the annoying fag because he ruined my score.

[Woodstock]

I've gotta agree with Woody (you like that?:cool:)

No I don't like it, so please don't call me that again.

[brantheman]

No I don't like it, so please don't call me that again.

okay :(


:rolleyes:

[rk237]

You can call me Arry if you want Bran.

[msreardon4]

Mystery shops are a bunch of bullshit. Which is the reason we only have 2 of them per year at our franchise stores now. And I'm pretty sure the only reason we have those 2 is because they're corporate mandated.

I wish our store was like that but it is not

[LordPerrin]

I once scored a 15 on a mystery shop when I was a shift leader, didn't even hear from the district leader nor get written up. Oh well.

[brantheman]

I once scored a 15 on a mystery shop when I was a shift leader, didn't even hear from the district leader nor get written up. Oh well.

I'm more curious to know how you managed to get a 15% than I am of why you weren't written up :confused:

[zooworker]

Me thinks that there is more to the story than what you are telling us...... I have known stores to get a lower MS than that, and they didn't fire the manager.
And the rest of the story.........
no i had 3 mystery shops at 3 different stores within 2 weeks all of them averaged a 70% I was a CSR and my district manager never liked me I was written up 2 times at the other stores but my record was clean at my store. I am kinda glad that I got fired but yet i am mad b/c I have been there for 3 1/2 years and they fired me right before christmas and i still have not been able to get a Job.
# shops and you scored in the 70's. That will get you fired.

[brantheman]

And the rest of the story.........

# shops and you scored in the 70's. That will get you fired.

Yep yep. Used to have a SL at my store who was fired for making less than 80% three times in a ROW.

[Zanpher]

hmm personally I have been written up for shops also, when I was a CSR, and I was the ES on the floor, personally I know we have to have them but than again I do not see the firing of employee's helping out blockbuster. I would understand if it was someone who doesn't give a shit about their job but the ones who actually bust their ass doesn't really need to rely on a customer for their job.

Me and my other ASM's and SL's have talked bunch of times about this and all agree that maybe just one night a Mystery shop might come in and had a bad day, and just for the hell of it give a bad shop weather it was good Customer service or not. That is why I feel that Mystery Shops shouldn't make People Lose their Jobs.

[HardcoreKeith]

Back in the Era of Extended Viewing Fees, one of our mystery shoppers had an EVF that she didn't want to pay. MS decided to stick it to us by giving us no points for anything except greeting.

[SL_600]

I just got fired from blockbuster video because of a bad mystery shop score i got a 70% my district manager is Kelly LaFelle and she is the devil.I know Kelly LaFaille and yes, she is tough. However, she is fair and if she didn't think you were worth a crap, that would be the reason for your exodus.

[sar94pga]

speaking of mystery shops....friday through tuesdays now...whats that shit about?

[Koron]

I know Kelly LaFaille and yes, she is tough. However, she is fair and if she didn't think you were worth a crap, that would be the reason for your exodus.


Amen to that. Personally I like Mrs. Lafaille. She's never been a bother to me and as long as I do the small things she asks for, then we are cool.

From what I have heard about this guy from everyone in the district, he's an assclown who needed to be canned.

[zooworker]

speaking of mystery shops....friday through tuesdays now...whats that shit about?
I think they want to see how we are mainly on Tuesday night. Even though it includes Monday night when we are trying to get the store set up for Tuesday.

[TiredOfLazySMs]

speaking of mystery shops....friday through tuesdays now...whats that shit about?



I thought it was Wednesday thru Sunday ALL day long 9so yes that's morning and afternoon shifts)... Or at least it is here...

[Koron]

I thought it was Wednesday thru Sunday ALL day long 9so yes that's morning and afternoon shifts)... Or at least it is here...

Nope, it was wednesday thru sunday 5:00 to 9:00.

[Youdontknowme]

Friday through Tuesday? wtf? Why can't they just be reasonable and make it Sunday through Thursday. No need to stress out Friday and Saturday night when you've got a line halfway around the store and you can't remember if you offered online to the customer with 4 screaming kids, 9 movies, 12 PRP, no account, and a fucking check.

Stress free Wednesday and Thursday does me no good. They're our slowest days when I can actually devote time to the customers.

[zooworker]

On our last shop we got nailed for taking more then 3 minutes to wait on the MS pesron. WTF, can we help it if everyone comes in at the same time? It's bad enough we aren't given the labor, now the punish for it.

[turtletime]

I thought it was Wednesday thru Sunday ALL day long 9so yes that's morning and afternoon shifts)... Or at least it is here...

no, it's from

Fri- Tues, 6:15PM-9:45PM ONLY!

that's from the company that actually does the shops, so I think it would be pretty accurate :)

Even when it was w-s, it was the same hours, not all day.

[Aphrodite]

When my store used to have to endure Mystery Shoppers we could usually tell who they were because they would always join as a new member, and their id would always be from out of town. This was great as it meant we could really make an over the top effort to push promos and be super helpful to people who fitted the criteria.

[johnlow71]

ooooooo the horror, i got my first failing shop, now im 4-1 on shops.
o well cant win em all.

anyone else ever think sometimes they give out bad scores to most stores in that area just to purposelly have a conference ya ya call. i just thought it was wierd that all stores were on the conference call even ours and the other top 2 in the district lol yea we all failed hmmmmmmm i doubt that.

also a side note to what i think about a mystery shopper whos in the store to evaluate us for 5 minutes when were open for 14 hrs. you do the math.
yesterday my friends sister said she was a mystery shopper, today shes in a mental ward, lol good job.

[AbandonedDreams]

I was working alone once on a Saturday night. I didn't walk away from the register until about 8pm, I didn't have my name tag on because once I got there I had to jump on register (and get someone to edit my time card later). People kept calling me and of course I had to answer the phones and check people out at the same time. I got a 25% and got written up for it. When I explained to the SM that the CSR didn't get there until later and I was alone, she told me she wouldn't have even written me up (especially under those circumstances) but the DL said no exceptions.

So I'm finally free for good of the BBV. The shit they tried to pull over on me was ridiculous, so I left my keys.

It all goes back to the 25% MS I talk about in the above post.
Since then, I haven't gotten very many Total Access Activations, because I'm in Redneckville, USA, and no one wants you to know their info. I ask people, but no one bites.

My store is small, on top of that. So one day I go in and one of the other managers tells me that in order to get TA's, we are taking the credit card and email info off of old applications and entering it into the computer, putting the apps. in a special spot and cancelling them in two weeks.

Now, first of all, this is illegal- using someones CC info without consent.
Secondly, what if the person goes to sign up later and can't because they've already had it?

So, I refuse to do this. So everyone else is getting their goals and I'm not because I refuse.

I only worked two days a week last semester because my classes were rought and I had some personal shit this semester. So while I was home for Christmas my SM told me that she was gonna hire another SL to work two days a week so her and the SAM could have their two days off. Since they'd never had a problem with my schedule before I thought it was just because they were burned out (though I did tell her last semester I could work a day or two every other weekend).

Last week, I only had 5 hours on the schedule. Today I look at this weeks schedule, and I only have 5. I make 9/hour, so two days a week and my campus job was enough to get by on, but not one. So I call my SM. She tells me that the DM wanted her to take me off of the schedule completely (without telling me anything was wrong). She said she liked me and that that wasn't fair, so she wanted to basically give me one last chance. She told me to do well on the mystery shop tonight and I'd get my hours back.

So, once I got off of the phone with her I called my mom and my boyfriend and talked to them a little bit. And I decided that this job is not worth the stress is causes me over something so insignificant to everyone but the DM and above.

I left my SM a very strongly worded note letting her know that I was pissed about the way the situation was handled but not burning my bridges (except maybe the PS where I told her she should tell the DM to grow a set). And I dropped my keys in the drop box on the way out and didn't look back. It feels good.


But....is there anything I can do about the CC situation? Is WORD or HR the right place to call? My roommate still works there so she can get the numbers for me.

[rk237]

But....is there anything I can do about the CC situation? Is WORD or HR the right place to call? My roommate still works there so she can get the numbers for me.

That's fraud, FBI style. :eek:
I'd be the whistleblower and call Word (or higher authorities). I'd do it before someone else blows the whistle and you get lumped in with a bunch of employees and former employees under suspicion of credit card fraud.

BTW sorry you have to deal with that, and sorry you're unemployed (although soon you will find you have set yourself free)

[Propoxy]

But....is there anything I can do about the CC situation? Is WORD or HR the right place to call? My roommate still works there so she can get the numbers for me.
ABSOLUTELY call WORD. Don't wait - call them as soon as you can. People need to become aware of what is happening with the old applications - the credit card fraud, the fraudulent BBO accounts, the whole thing. I cannot stress enough how important it is that you call and report this.

As for your SM, either she's a giant wuss or she's lying to you. Probably both. Either way, not a good store manager at all. If she didn't want to put you on corrective action, she should show some backbone to your DM. And saying, "Oh, I didn't really want to, but..." is a bullshit stance to take to you.

[AbandonedDreams]

That's fraud, FBI style. :eek:
I'd be the whistleblower and call Word (or higher authorities). I'd do it before someone else blows the whistle and you get lumped in with a bunch of employees and former employees under suspicion of credit card fraud.

BTW sorry you have to deal with that, and sorry you're unemployed (although soon you will find you have set yourself free)


I already have another job lined up, on campus. :D

[brantheman]

Yeah, Abandoned, i'd definately call WORD. I'm still blown away with what they're doing with the credit card info, but i'd be hella proud of myself if I were you for throwing in the towel at this point. Sad thing is, this is just further proof of the stress and pressure that BBI puts on its employees regarding things like Total Access. It's getting insane. But yeah, definately tell WORD before you get fucked over, too. It's just too much of a risk, and is Blockbuster REALLY worth that risk? :p

On a side note, aren't the membership forms shreded after so many days? I could have sworn I heard my SM say something about that once before. Also, I black out the credit card info with a sharpie once it's in the computer, as do my coworkers.

Anyway, hope you still stick around the forum, AD; call WORD and let us know what happens!!!

[AbandonedDreams]

Still, they could fuck up your entire life, by naming you as an accessory. You could still be liable for their misconduct, if they claim (should they go to jail, etc.) you knew about it---and according to the above posts, you do. Replacement job or no, they could also use that to fuck up future references (you're not going to be in college forever, you know!), and there's nothing worse than finding out you didn't get a good job because your former employer accused you of perpetrating fraud.

Besides, do you have any credit cards on account in that store? I know they don't need one for employee accounts, but what about a normal customer account? I have both, as I was a long-time customer before I came to work for the company. If you do, they might be doing this (or have attempted and failed) with your personal information.

Food for thought...


My reply was to RK about being unemployeed...meaning, I'm not unemployed, I have another job. I've been talking to people all night and I've decided what I'm going to do about everything else.

Maybe its just late and I'm tired, but most of what you wrote seems to have nothing to do with what I was talking about. :confused:

[brantheman]

My reply was to RK about being unemployeed...meaning, I'm not unemployed, I have another job. I've been talking to people all night and I've decided what I'm going to do about everything else.

Maybe its just late and I'm tired, but most of what you wrote seems to have nothing to do with what I was talking about. :confused:


Your sig just made me think of the most random thing. I just imagined a BB employee trying to sign up a customer for TA and in the background the song "Oh! So horny! Me love you long time!" is playing, except the words were "Oh! Free trial! Oh oh! Free trial! Oh, free trial! Cancel Any-time!"

[OzMan]

Oh, just fucking great. Like it's not difficult enough to get people to secure their accounts...... then BBI has to go and allow stupid shit like this to happen. Glad I don't have any stores in this area (I hope).

(I opened my first store in a city where a video store employee committed MAJOR ID theft against the customers...made the news and everything.... talk about a tough time getting people to trust you after that).

Not only are these employees screwing with their customers, and potentially your future (like everyone said), but with the ability of BBI and EVERYONE ELSE to get customers to trust them. This goes well beyond internal LP, and into a major crime (what, no one watches The Sopranos around there??)


On a side note, aren't the membership forms shreded after so many days? I could have sworn I heard my SM say something about that once before. Also, I black out the credit card info with a sharpie once it's in the computer, as do my coworkers.


They're breaking federal credit card fraud and identity protecting laws, and you think they're worried about internal BBI policies??;)

[johnlow71]

congrats abandoned, im also on my way out again from bbv. its a shame when a company cant even keep there good employees and the company will still go on even if its turnover after turnover.

i should have a new part time job within the next couple of weeks here.

[turtletime]

But....is there anything I can do about the CC situation? Is WORD or HR the right place to call? My roommate still works there so she can get the numbers for me.

Maybe its just late and I'm tired, but most of what you wrote seems to have nothing to do with what I was talking about. :confused:

If the question you were asking is whether or not to call word, I agree with everybody else...at the very least, call word!!

Good luck and Congrats on getting outta there! :) :)

[BlockbusterLuvsU]

But....is there anything I can do about the CC situation? Is WORD or HR the right place to call? My roommate still works there so she can get the numbers for me.

Every one of the managers who was doing that could go to jail if you call the Secret Service. You yourself will, like others have mentioned, be culpable as well if you don't.

This could unfortunately create a HUGE problem for the company if the press gets wind of this. For one thing, the people who had their information used this way could make a class action lawsuit against BBV, but it would also be a PR disaster once the public at large learned of it. It would probably be worse than the End of Late Fees autosale debacle.

I can't believe the company hasn't taken steps to avoid this practice from happening in the first place.

It makes you wonder how many other unscrupulous Blockbuster employees are doing this around the country.

[CreepyNormal]

It makes you wonder how many other unscrupulous Blockbuster employees are doing this around the country.

This would explain why BBO's churn is up over 20%...

[OzMan]

I was just saying that it's the best thing to not only call WORD but also to call the police. "Borrowing" credit card numbers is identity theft, and if you know about it and don't report it, you're an accessory.

I just came from an interview with the police in which someone was using my name at a local pawn shop. Certain employees were making "phantom purchases" (signing out money for merchandise that didn't actually exist) at said pawn shop, and not only are they going down for Grand Theft ($1000, just on my account; there are dozens of others), but in my case, for identity theft.

My point is, they (your former co-workers) could still say that you knew, and implicate you as an accessory. That's all.:)


I had an employee committing coupon fraud.

Best of all, he was signing bogus names to the receipts. When I asked a customer about this, and determined he was just signing any name, she was so pissed off, SHE called the police, and had forgery charges filed.

I did my magic, and got a confession out of him, where he admitted to $500 (!!!!!!!) of coupon fraud, and MULTIPLE counts of forgery. Yeah, the cops love me when I do their jobs for them;)

[videoslave23]

It makes you wonder how many other unscrupulous Blockbuster employees are doing this around the country.

I've been reading this thread with awe and amazement for two reasons...

1. I figured out that it would be possible to do this when they first introduced
the laptops in the stores. (I never contemplated doing it, mind you)
2. I've been convinced for some time that the store that won IPOD's in my
district have been doing this all along.

Tell me if this seems suspicious:

Store 98765 (not real number) always has the most new members, yet they are not growing in actives. SM has a reputation for making people sign up for memberships if they forgot card and haven't rented at that store in 3 months. (He won't call another store to get customer number) Before total access, they were always in the middle of the pack, never really exceeded expectations. Suddenly they are getting about 50 activations/ week, and they continue to outperform everyone during the entire 4th quarter. Strangely enough, though, their number of exchange customers only marginally rises. Stores with half the number of activations are now having more exchange transactions.

Does this seem like a good candidate for said credit card fraud? :confused:

Seems fishy to me. :eek:

[SL_600]

This could unfortunately create a HUGE problem for the company if the press gets wind of this.... it would also be a PR disaster once the public at large learned of it. It would probably be worse than the End of Late Fees autosale debacle. I would definitely call WORD at the very least. Just to make them sweat, I would feign the intent to alert either the media, the local authorities, or both. This fiasco will be handled with all the quickness.

[penguinmike]

Store 98765 (not real number) always has the most new members, yet they are not growing in actives. SM has a reputation for making people sign up for memberships if they forgot card and haven't rented at that store in 3 months. (He won't call another store to get customer number) Before total access, they were always in the middle of the pack, never really exceeded expectations. Suddenly they are getting about 50 activations/ week, and they continue to outperform everyone during the entire 4th quarter. Strangely enough, though, their number of exchange customers only marginally rises. Stores with half the number of activations are now having more exchange transactions.

Does this seem like a good candidate for said credit card fraud? :confused:

Seems fishy to me. :eek:

They may not be committing fraud but instead getting people to sign up for free trials and those people are just cancelling. "You can sign up for this free trial and use this coupon to get a free movie and then just cancel before the 7th and not pay a cent!"

Lots of activations, no exchanges, not credit card fraud.

[johnlow71]

fuk mystery shoppers i hope they all get gonorrhea and die.

[BBVTyrant]

They may not be committing fraud but instead getting people to sign up for free trials and those people are just cancelling. "You can sign up for this free trial and use this coupon to get a free movie and then just cancel before the 7th and not pay a cent!"

Lots of activations, no exchanges, not credit card fraud.


I'm more inclined to go with Videoslave's thoughts. It's fishy. If the store in question is encouraging customers to sign up and simply cancel, they will no doubt see an increase in activations, but not a sharp increase.

Plus, it is fishy that these same customers aren't exchanging rentals at the store level, since they are basically in-store customers and were supposedly "told about the exchange program" at the store level.

Sounds like a candidate for credit card fraud, in the least. BBI has always struggled with integrity in their business practices.

[Schneller Damon]

They may not be committing fraud but instead getting people to sign up for free trials and those people are just cancelling. "You can sign up for this free trial and use this coupon to get a free movie and then just cancel before the 7th and not pay a cent!"

Lots of activations, no exchanges, not credit card fraud.

My store did that, we would promise everyone a free movie if they signed up and would immediatly cancel it the second they used their coupon. Obviously when our DM got wind of this he told our store that the cancellations had to be done 24hrs AFTER they 1st signed up. Needless to say....our activations got caught in half but we still managed to convince people to sign up by telling them that we'd put their accounts on hold til they rented the next time and to cancel.

[videoslave23]

My store did that, we would promise everyone a free movie if they signed up and would immediatly cancel it the second they used their coupon. Obviously when our DM got wind of this he told our store that the cancellations had to be done 24hrs AFTER they 1st signed up. Needless to say....our activations got caught in half but we still managed to convince people to sign up by telling them that we'd put their accounts on hold til they rented the next time and to cancel.

That's fucked up. Ingenious, but fucked up. My store sells the service, not the free trial. That's why we have almost 15% of our customers online now. As much as I continue to be pissed about the new online compensation, I still couldn't bring myself to sell something with the plan of cancelling. I think I can sell more my way anyhow.

When people say, "Oh, I'll forget to cancel." I'll respond,
"You're not going to want to cancel. You're going to be saving money, and watching even more movies."

[chacho_3164]

Hate to bring back a sort of old thread, but I have a question. Tonight, right before close, I got the strangest call I've ever received in my BB career.

Cust: Hi, I need your store code.
Me: Uh, are you a Blockbuster employee?
Cust: ......*pause* Sure.
Me: And what was your store code?
Cust: Look, I just need to know your store code so I can get the movies back to the right store.
*Now here's where it gets funny. There used to be two locations in my town, but one just closed*
Me: The Blockbuster at *Intersection* just closed. So any movies you have can just be returned to my store, which is at *intersection*.
Cust: Now I'm really confused. Can't I just have your store code?
Me: Nope, sorry. I can't give that out unless you're a BB employee.
Cust: Okay, fine. You want to know what this is really for? I'm a mystery shopper and I didn't get your store code. Are you store ***44?
Me: Nope, that's not us. You said you're a mystery shopper?
Cust: Yeah, I know this is a weird request, but can't you just help me out?
Me, after remembering how much I detest the MS program: Nope, sorry. I just can't release that information to non-BB employees.
Cust: Ugg, okay.......thanks.
Me: Buh-Bye.


Has anyone ever received a call like this? Think it was maybe an ex-employee pranking the store? Anyone have any thoughts on this at all? I'm sort of baffled.

Thanks,
Chacho

[zooworker]

Nope, but if they kept thew receipt, Which they have to do , they would have the store code. Methinks someone was yanking you chain here.

[chacho_3164]

I hope so....I was the closing MOD the last 5 nights in a row, so if that really was the shopper and we really were shopped, our score's going to be low. We normally have the same shopper and we all know her. If it was someone new, we most likely missed her. And I don't really feel like answering for a low score.

[Propoxy]

Hate to bring back a sort of old thread, but I have a question. Tonight, right before close, I got the strangest call I've ever received in my BB career.

Cust: Hi, I need your store code.
Me: Uh, are you a Blockbuster employee?
Cust: ......*pause* Sure.
Me: And what was your store code?
Cust: Look, I just need to know your store code so I can get the movies back to the right store.
*Now here's where it gets funny. There used to be two locations in my town, but one just closed*
Me: The Blockbuster at *Intersection* just closed. So any movies you have can just be returned to my store, which is at *intersection*.
Cust: Now I'm really confused. Can't I just have your store code?
Me: Nope, sorry. I can't give that out unless you're a BB employee.
Cust: Okay, fine. You want to know what this is really for? I'm a mystery shopper and I didn't get your store code. Are you store ***44?
Me: Nope, that's not us. You said you're a mystery shopper?
Cust: Yeah, I know this is a weird request, but can't you just help me out?
Me, after remembering how much I detest the MS program: Nope, sorry. I just can't release that information to non-BB employees.
Cust: Ugg, okay.......thanks.
Me: Buh-Bye.


Has anyone ever received a call like this? Think it was maybe an ex-employee pranking the store? Anyone have any thoughts on this at all? I'm sort of baffled.

Thanks,
Chacho
Does it really matter who gets your store code? Like zoo said, it's on every receipt. It's on every rental item, it's on every TA promo card we hand out... What's the big deal?

[chacho_3164]

Normally it wouldn't be a big deal, but there was just something about the caller that sounded ultra-fishy. The call occurred like, 2 minutes before close, the information she wanted wasn't even relevant to her cover question, and she wouldn't have even needed the store code in order for me to tell her where to return her tapes. I guess it was my inner-detective ;)

[turtletime]

the shoppers HAVE to scan a copy of their receipt into the system or else the shop will be void and not paid. there is no way around it. not only that, but the shopper has to provide other info that is only on the receipt, like employee number...so, unless they asked for that as well...doubt it was the shopper. any employees (ex or otherwise) out there wanting to mess with your mind?? :)

[BBVcasualposter]

the shoppers HAVE to scan a copy of their receipt into the system or else the shop will be void and not paid. there is no way around it. not only that, but the shopper has to provide other info that is only on the receipt, like employee number...so, unless they asked for that as well...doubt it was the shopper. any employees (ex or otherwise) out there wanting to mess with your mind?? :)

I agree here, Im pretty sure shoppers only work in person.

Anyone know how much they get paid?

I checked into being a secret shopper but they only had car dealerships openings that paid $100 but you could only do it once every 9 months.

[turtletime]

I agree here, Im pretty sure shoppers only work in person.

Anyone know how much they get paid?

I checked into being a secret shopper but they only had car dealerships openings that paid $100 but you could only do it once every 9 months.


they pay tons...NOT! ;) it's movie rental reimbursement plus $6...

[zooworker]

I agree here, Im pretty sure shoppers only work in person.

Anyone know how much they get paid?

I checked into being a secret shopper but they only had car dealerships openings that paid $100 but you could only do it once every 9 months.
You couldn't pay me enough to mystery shop a car dealer. God I hate them.

[OzMan]

You couldn't pay me enough to mystery shop a car dealer. God I hate them.

I'd think you'd want to be a mystery shopper, then. Think of the fun you could have at their expense.....

[zooworker]

I'd think you'd want to be a mystery shopper, then. Think of the fun you could have at their expense.....
Only if I can shoot one in the leg. Bang!!!Sorry you just failed your shop.:p

[brantheman]

I hope so....I was the closing MOD the last 5 nights in a row, so if that really was the shopper and we really were shopped, our score's going to be low. We normally have the same shopper and we all know her. If it was someone new, we most likely missed her. And I don't really feel like answering for a low score.

I was always under the impression that mystery-shoppers were supposed to be, well, a mystery. You're not supposed to know who they are, and you're certainly not supposed to get the same one (or so i've been told).

[OzMan]

I was always under the impression that mystery-shoppers were supposed to be, well, a mystery. You're not supposed to know who they are, and you're certainly not supposed to get the same one (or so i've been told).

I think BBI has requested that the same mystery shopper doesn't do back-to-back shops.

And, yeah, someone admitting to being a mystery shopper sort of defeats the purpose, methinks.

[brantheman]

I think BBI has requested that the same mystery shopper doesn't do back-to-back shops.

And, yeah, someone admitting to being a mystery shopper sort of defeats the purpose, methinks.

I'd love to know who it was though. Would ace it every time :D

Speaking of MS's, a few days ago I had to fill in for my SM at the weekly meeting and my DL told me "Your store got shopped and you got a 100%. Good job!" I was thrilled. I stopped back by my store on the way home and let everyone know and told them good job.

My DL called today to let me know that we HADNT been shopped and that he got us mixed up. We're still waiting. DAMNIT!!!!

I'd also like to point out that i've been the MOD during every single shop in the past seven months now. LITERALLY.

[CreepyNormal]

I would love to be a mystery shopper.

I would wish that all mystery shoppers would be BB employees, because BB employees would understand that it's entirely possible to miss greeting an entering customer while you're trying to cash out two customers, getting yelled at by one because YOU LOST THEIR MOVIE THEY TURNED IT IN GODDAMMIT, and one on the phone that wants to know why they owe you $56.38. I'll never understand why greeting is FIFTEEN GODDAMN POINTS on a mystery shop.

I want to assassinate all the people who run this company.

[OzMan]

I want to assassinate all the people who run this company.

But aren't they already doing a good enough job shooting themselves in the foot??;)

[CreepyNormal]

But aren't they already doing a good enough job shooting themselves in the foot??;)

Yes.

But NOT a good enough job shooting themselves in the head.

[turtletime]

I would love to be a mystery shopper.

I would wish that all mystery shoppers would be BB employees, because BB employees would understand that it's entirely possible to miss greeting an entering customer while you're trying to cash out two customers, getting yelled at by one because YOU LOST THEIR MOVIE THEY TURNED IT IN GODDAMMIT, and one on the phone that wants to know why they owe you $56.38. I'll never understand why greeting is FIFTEEN GODDAMN POINTS on a mystery shop.

I want to assassinate all the people who run this company.

unfortunately, that's not always a good thing...to be the shopper and be an (ex) employee. for instance...this past week was the shop. I walked in the last night of the shop at my local store, during possible shop hours. Two employees at the counter...both looked at me...neither greeted me. I walked thru the store for about 15 minutes...listened to the employees discussing lots of personal bull shit, but not much else, leaning against and sitting on the counter while they did it. I walked up to the counter as employee 1 was walking back to "take a dump", their words, not mine. They were still talking. I had to stand there for almost 2 minutes waiting for them to stop conversing across the store and employee 2 to get her ass the three steps to the register. Once there, transaction was ok, but still shitty. She did give me my total. She did say I should try the online, but that was seriously all she said...you should try the online. She did NOT greet me. She did not give me my due dates. She did not say bye to me...she handed me my movies...I waited til she turned her back without saying anything and then told her - "Thanks very much. YOU have a great evening." She glanced back at me and said nothing still. There was paper and cigarette butts all over the floor inside. Garbage cans were overflowing outside. If I'd been doing the shop that night, as an ex-employee, I would have nailed their asses to the wall and they would have so totally deserved it.

[turtletime]

I think BBI has requested that the same mystery shopper doesn't do back-to-back shops.

I know...double post!!!!

yeah, the system won't let you even sign up to shop the same one two times in a row.

[OzMan]

unfortunately, that's not always a good thing...to be the shopper and be an (ex) employee. for instance...this past week was the shop. I walked in the last night of the shop at my local store, during possible shop hours. Two employees at the counter...both looked at me...neither greeted me. I walked thru the store for about 15 minutes...listened to the employees discussing lots of personal bull shit, but not much else, leaning against and sitting on the counter while they did it. I walked up to the counter as employee 1 was walking back to "take a dump", their words, not mine. They were still talking. I had to stand there for almost 2 minutes waiting for them to stop conversing across the store and employee 2 to get her ass the three steps to the register. Once there, transaction was ok, but still shitty. She did give me my total. She did say I should try the online, but that was seriously all she said...you should try the online. She did NOT greet me. She did not give me my due dates. She did not say bye to me...she handed me my movies...I waited til she turned her back without saying anything and then told her - "Thanks very much. YOU have a great evening." She glanced back at me and said nothing still. There was paper and cigarette butts all over the floor inside. Garbage cans were overflowing outside. If I'd been doing the shop that night, as an ex-employee, I would have nailed their asses to the wall and they would have so totally deserved it.


And in my opinion, the problem is BBI is now focusing on only four questions (from what I understand).

Seriously?? This store is an embarrassment to EVERYONE that works at the company, and does more damage to your image than all the giveaways you have done in the last three years could ever hope to fix.

Hell, employing sloths like this AND giving away the store like you are just makes things even worse.

I said in another post "take care of the pennies, and the dollars take care of themselves". Fix these minor problems, and there won't be any major problems.

[Woodstock]

unfortunately, that's not always a good thing...to be the shopper and be an (ex) employee. for instance...this past week was the shop. I walked in the last night of the shop at my local store, during possible shop hours. Two employees at the counter...both looked at me...neither greeted me. I walked thru the store for about 15 minutes...listened to the employees discussing lots of personal bull shit, but not much else, leaning against and sitting on the counter while they did it. I walked up to the counter as employee 1 was walking back to "take a dump", their words, not mine. They were still talking. I had to stand there for almost 2 minutes waiting for them to stop conversing across the store and employee 2 to get her ass the three steps to the register. Once there, transaction was ok, but still shitty. She did give me my total. She did say I should try the online, but that was seriously all she said...you should try the online. She did NOT greet me. She did not give me my due dates. She did not say bye to me...she handed me my movies...I waited til she turned her back without saying anything and then told her - "Thanks very much. YOU have a great evening." She glanced back at me and said nothing still. There was paper and cigarette butts all over the floor inside. Garbage cans were overflowing outside. If I'd been doing the shop that night, as an ex-employee, I would have nailed their asses to the wall and they would have so totally deserved it.


I would have told them that they just flunked their MS and will be hearing about it in the next couple of days......

[turtletime]

I would have told them that they just flunked their MS and will be hearing about it in the next couple of days......

i should have, but maybe next time i'll just sign up to do the shop!! :D :D

[rk237]

Gah Trendsource keeps emailing me about shops in my area, but I'm not interested (I signed up and gave them my email address a while ago thinking it might be interesting). They're the worst spammers in the world -- don't do it! :eek:

[BBVcasualposter]

I agree with last post. I did a secret shop site and I used a mail account that I made new on AOL for it. Now it gets 50 mails a week of junk. Imma just close it. I had a feeling the secret shop program was a bit of a scam.

[turtletime]

Gah Trendsource keeps emailing me about shops in my area, but I'm not interested (I signed up and gave them my email address a while ago thinking it might be interesting). They're the worst spammers in the world -- don't do it! :eek:

just go in and change your settings under maintenance/your profile. there is an option to not receive emails from them re: assignments.

[rk237]

just go in and change your settings under maintenance/your profile. there is an option to not receive emails from them re: assignments.

Nice turtle. Thanks :)
(..and now to remember my password for them..)

[turtletime]

Nice turtle. Thanks :)
(..and now to remember my password for them..)

you are welcome.

[CreepyNormal]

Ok, a guy came into my store yesterday wearing a Blockbuster T-Shirt.

He came up to my register with one movie, then pulled out a stack of online mailers and handed me one.

Question: Would a mystery shopper be that obvious?

[turtletime]

Ok, a guy came into my store yesterday wearing a Blockbuster T-Shirt.

He came up to my register with one movie, then pulled out a stack of online mailers and handed me one.

Question: Would a mystery shopper be that obvious?

shoppers are not allowed to acknowledge that they are familiar with online. if asked, deny...do not say they already have it. that would mean no using the online mailers. my guess would be this guy is an employee from another store, maybe using mailers they got in that day, since he had a stack of them???

also, shoppers must rent a movie, or the shop is invalid. paid rental of a movie - not a game, not a purchase, only a paid movie rental.

[zooworker]

shoppers are not allowed to acknowledge that they are familiar with online. if asked, deny...do not say they already have it. that would mean no using the online mailers. my guess would be this guy is an employee from another store, maybe using mailers they got in that day, since he had a stack of them???

also, shoppers must rent a movie, or the shop is invalid. paid rental of a movie - not a game, not a purchase, only a paid movie rental.
In our region, we were told the shoppers have a mailer to exchange. That's a give away.

[turtletime]

In our region, we were told the shoppers have a mailer to exchange. That's a give away.

pm me your region. i'll check the site specifically. i just did a quick look grabbing different locations countrywide and all the ones i looked at said the same thing.

why would I wanna do this? cuz i'm snoopy! ;)

[turtletime]

damn, i must be bored!!! i'm supposed to be balancing my checkbook!!! :)

anyhow, for "certain" regions, I have now gone thru most of the US, state by state! :), and found out this...

"To participate in this program, you MUST be able to sign up for the $5.99 Blockbuster Online with a credit or debit card. After the first DVD arrives in your mailbox, you can proceed to the store to perform your mystery shop. During the shop, you will need to exchange your Online DVD for a free rental to simulate the Total Access exchange. "

ok, checkbook...checkbook... :)

[zooworker]

damn, i must be bored!!! i'm supposed to be balancing my checkbook!!! :)

anyhow, for "certain" regions, I have now gone thru most of the US, state by state! :), and found out this...

"To participate in this program, you MUST be able to sign up for the $5.99 Blockbuster Online with a credit or debit card. After the first DVD arrives in your mailbox, you can proceed to the store to perform your mystery shop. During the shop, you will need to exchange your Online DVD for a free rental to simulate the Total Access exchange. "

ok, checkbook...checkbook... :)
LOL.....checkbook? What's that .....:p

[brantheman]

Yep we've been told for the past couple of months now that "the shopper will be a TA member".

Speaking of shops, I got an 88%. Would have gotten higher but I didnt offer the snack card, apparently.

[BBVcasualposter]

Good to know to watch out more with the mailer peeps.

[CreepyNormal]

Yep we've been told for the past couple of months now that "the shopper will be a TA member".

Speaking of shops, I got an 88%. Would have gotten higher but I didnt offer the snack card, apparently.

Ok, we have not be told *once* that the Snack Card specifically was going to be a hit on a Mystery Shop.

[brantheman]

Ok, we have not be told *once* that the Snack Card specifically was going to be a hit on a Mystery Shop.

Neither was I. In fact, the MS summary even says I lost points for "not offering an upsell", not specifically "the snack card". Yet, my DM says otherwise. Whatever. I stil did better than the last MS. Our 4* got a 50-something.

[HardcoreKeith]

Neither was I. In fact, the MS summary even says I lost points for "not offering an upsell", not specifically "the snack card". Yet, my DM says otherwise. Whatever. I stil did better than the last MS. Our 4* got a 50-something.

The $50,000 question: Did you offer another non-snackcard upsell?

[zooworker]

Yep we've been told for the past couple of months now that "the shopper will be a TA member".

Speaking of shops, I got an 88%. Would have gotten higher but I didnt offer the snack card, apparently.
Any upsell should have scored for you. Snack card wasn't even out yet when this round of shoppers started.

[BBVcasualposter]

Any upsell should have scored for you. Snack card wasn't even out yet when this round of shoppers started.


Ut-oh I think someone got called out here

[brantheman]

I never said I didn't offer an upsell. I just said I didn't offer the snack card ;)

[HelloItsMeMOM]

"To participate in this program, you MUST be able to sign up for the $5.99 Blockbuster Online with a credit or debit card. After the first DVD arrives in your mailbox, you can proceed to the store to perform your mystery shop. During the shop, you will need to exchange your Online DVD for a free rental to simulate the Total Access exchange. "


So, now the secret shopper is a Online Customer ... lol Nice trick to get extra customers ... :):)

[Palisades]

I think mystery shop is BULLSHIT. Now it is going to be Every Day from Noon to close. Get ready to see brand new faces in every BBV

[Propoxy]

I think mystery shop is BULLSHIT. Now it is going to be Every Day from Noon to close. Get ready to see brand new faces in every BBV
Oh, I hate to sound like a company man, but if you're doing your job correctly to begin with, you shouldn't worry about scoring poorly on a shop, no matter what day or time.

[Woodstock]

Oh, I hate to sound like a company man, but if you're doing your job correctly to begin with, you shouldn't worry about scoring poorly on a shop, no matter what day or time.

Except when you have a liar for a mystery shopper. We caught ours lying, and our DL didn't care.

[ViciousVixen]

Oh, I hate to sound like a company man, but if you're doing your job correctly to begin with, you shouldn't worry about scoring poorly on a shop, no matter what day or time.

That doesn't make you sound like a company man. it's called good work ethic, and doing what you're PAID to do. kids today seem to forget that a paycheck is not a right, it's a privelege. one you have to EARN by following rules and WORKING.

[johnlow71]

Except when you have a liar for a mystery shopper. We caught ours lying, and our DL didn't care.

not so much even as to lie but just a moron, i actually got a %70 score once when they were incorrect about almost everything and we know because it was completely dead so i gave everyone great service.

they said 4 people were working when there was only 2 and said they wernt gretted properly when they were etc etc

dont get me started again on why these are stupid anyway. theres way too many intangables for a shopper to just come in and sit in line for 2 minutes to score us and think they know whats going on.

a real way to have someone shop is just have them hover and watch the ckout for like 15 minutes then score us. instead of giving us a bad score when theres one employee behind register and 1 mgr in back running films etc and phones ringing off the hook and people budding into your transaction with current customer etc etc etc, yeah thats fair and corporate not giving enuff hours to customer ratio to fatten there pockets even more etc etc etc

[Woodstock]

I think that BBV should send in other BBV employees to mystery shop. They understand what goes on, and they would be more balanced reports.

[Propoxy]

Except when you have a liar for a mystery shopper. We caught ours lying, and our DL didn't care.
We lost points once on the exterior of the store question because "there were some marks on the paint." wtf??? That was the comment. And, of course, we couldn't get it reversed. Apparently I need to send a CSR out every day with a paint can to do touch ups.

We also lost points during the Movie Pass shops because "the employee acknowledged I was on the Movie Pass but didn't offer additional information." Why the fuck would s/he? You're on the Pass, you should know how it works.

However, I stop short at saying BBV employees should do the shops. In my experience, BBV employees are even pickier than Mystery Shoppers. MSs seem like they're looking for any reason not to give 100%, but at least we can fudge displays and such with them. BBV employees show no mercy - at least the ones who've come in my store. "The Shrek standee is supposed to go there." :mad:

[Blockbusterblonde]

You're probably right about employees doing mystery shops.

[Palisades]

Responsibility is to take care of the customer. Not stand behind the counter like a f ing robot and read 9 things to say. You don't and won't ever know unless you are there, so keep your clueless ass quiet

[Palisades]

Most of the Mystery shoppers are people who we pissed off because they can't read a recipet or think they can scare us into doing what they want. Pretty sad really

[zooworker]

Responsibility is to take care of the customer. Not stand behind the counter like a f ing robot and read 9 things to say. You don't and won't ever know unless you are there, so keep your clueless ass quiet
Just shut the fuck up OK?
Most of the Mystery shoppers are people who we pissed off because they can't read a recipet or think they can scare us into doing what they want. Pretty sad really
And quit double posting asswipe...........

[ViciousVixen]

Just shut the fuck up OK?

And quit double posting asswipe...........

Palisades... doesn't that name hint at what to expect?

[zooworker]

Palisades... doesn't that name hint at what to expect?
Pal·i·sades
A row of cliffs in northeast New Jersey along the western bank of the Hudson River. Much of the area is parkland.

[ViciousVixen]

Pal·i·sades
A row of cliffs in northeast New Jersey along the western bank of the Hudson River. Much of the area is parkland.

Yup, never been a fan of NJ, no offense to any cliffs out there, its not personal

[Wrong Heaven]

I truly believe that shops should be done by actual customers. Have a link to a survey online that they can take, and they get a $1.99 coupon next time or something. A ton of companies do stuff like that - it serves a double purpose - you don't have to pay mystery shoppers, and you ensure the customer comes back.

[Propoxy]

I truly believe that shops should be done by actual customers. Have a link to a survey online that they can take, and they get a $1.99 coupon next time or something. A ton of companies do stuff like that - it serves a double purpose - you don't have to pay mystery shoppers, and you ensure the customer comes back.

That's brilliant. Fax that in to Bright Ideas tomorrow. I'm totally serious. You could win a steak dinner or whatever the prize is this week. That would save the company a TON of money.

[Aphrodite]

BBUK already doing it Im afraid....

[Propoxy]

BBUK already doing it Im afraid....
Ah ha! I still think that idea could win, though. Most of the past winning ideas were ones we've either already used (just not in a loooong time) or were stolen from other companies. Bright Ideas isn't so much "come up with something original" as it is "suggest something obvious." Besides, that BBUK uses it proves it's practical. :)

[Aphrodite]

Maybe they were lying and they just told us that to keep us on our toes after scrapping Mystery Shopper program to cut costs :p

[Wrong Heaven]

That's brilliant. Fax that in to Bright Ideas tomorrow. I'm totally serious. You could win a steak dinner or whatever the prize is this week. That would save the company a TON of money.

I've sent in about three or four, what I consider, BRILLIANT ideas and have yet to win. I just want a Chili's giftcard, dangit ;)

And it's not really an original idea - almost every retail store besides us does it!

[Aphrodite]

Im sure theyll realise how brilliant they are soon enough, then youll have FOUR Chilis giftcards :D

[Fmartinez1897]

why doesnt someone start a petition to ban mystery shoppers?

[zooworker]

why doesnt someone start a petition to ban mystery shoppers?
Now that is a fucking dumb idea. Get your ass fired real quick.Plus this is a retail company , not an goverment office.

[Fmartinez1897]

ok hey didnt know besides dont we have like some kind of right on that? fuck hell if I know. All that shit does is cause stress and shit.

[zooworker]

ok hey didnt know besides dont we have like some kind of right on that? fuck hell if I know. All that shit does is cause stress and shit.
If you are doing your job, then it's no problem then.

[rk237]

why doesnt someone start a petition to ban mystery shoppers?

Erm.. please tell me you never vote, or that you're not an American.

[Fmartinez1897]

dont vote. just an idea dont see what the big fuckin deal is. All im sayin is that shit has irritated the crap out of me all three years ive been there. Fuck, you dont have to be a fucking prick about it.

[Angry]

If you are doing your job, then it's no problem then.

I agree with that to a point. But when you're understaffed during the night, with multiple projects to work on, and you have to worry about greeting every single person that walks through the door, or cleaning the doors everytime the slightest smudge is created, it can get tiresome. Plus, there's no oversight in who's conducting these shops. Trendsource is a fucking disgrace.

[rk237]

dont vote. just an idea dont see what the big fuckin deal is. All im sayin is that shit has irritated the crap out of me all three years ive been there. Fuck, you dont have to be a fucking prick about it.

Relax dude. All I said was I hoped you don't vote because you aren't exhibiting an understanding of the mechanics of American society. That is, mystery shopping is an industry of private organizations hired by other private organizations to measure efficiency. To even suggest that the government could effect a wholesale ban on the industry implies you don't understand the sophisticated relationship between individuals, business, and government in America. So I'm glad you don't vote, or at least I was expecting you to say perhaps you were from some other country where the government isn't as restricted as ours.

[Fmartinez1897]

I can understand the point the corporate wants to see if were doing our jobs and shit. But fuck Like angry said. It gets tiresome having to do ten million things during mystery shop because with so much focus on fucking customers it becomes a pain in the ass to finish the shit the dm's give us.

[zooworker]

I agree with that to a point. But when you're understaffed during the night, with multiple projects to work on, and you have to worry about greeting every single person that walks through the door, or cleaning the doors everytime the slightest smudge is created, it can get tiresome. Plus, there's no oversight in who's conducting these shops. Trendsource is a fucking disgrace.
True, our last shop lost 10 points on length of time waiting in line. Time waited Zero. SO they do screw us sometimes.

[Fmartinez1897]

Relax dude. All I said was I hoped you don't vote because you aren't exhibiting an understanding of the mechanics of American society. That is, mystery shopping is an industry of private organizations hired by other private organizations to measure efficiency. To even suggest that the government could effect a wholesale ban on the industry implies you don't understand the sophisticated relationship between individuals, business, and government in America. So I'm glad you don't vote, or at least I was expecting you to say perhaps you were from some other country where the government isn't as restricted as ours.




Thanks for clarifying. I get what youre saying and its true im not gonna lie. But if there was a way of getting rid of it. Would you?

[zooworker]

Thanks for clarifying. I get what youre saying and its true im not gonna lie. But if there was a way of getting rid of it. Would you?
It's never going away, all retail stores use it. It's a way to see how their employees react to the customer. Not always fair. But I have delt with it in all my retail jobs.

[Fmartinez1897]

It's never going away, all retail stores use it. It's a way to see how their employees react to the customer. Not always fair. But I have delt with it in all my retail jobs.

I guess I see what youre saying. pretty gay that mystery shop exsists. they shopped me on 4th of july man.....fucked me up. Wanted to pop a bottle rocket up the fuckers ass.

[rk237]

Thanks for clarifying. I get what youre saying and its true im not gonna lie. But if there was a way of getting rid of it. Would you?

It's annoying, but I would never encourage getting rid of it simply because it sets a precedent of selective industrial banning. In that case, a bunch of people (millions of religious fundamentalists) could then petition the government to ban the porn industry next.
Not to mention, in our competitive economy, BB would instantly look for other ways to measure its efficiency so something equally irritating would crop up in its place, like say an annoying store consultant or something.

[zooworker]

I guess I see what youre saying. pretty gay that mystery shop exsists. they shopped me on 4th of july man.....fucked me up. Wanted to pop a bottle rocket up the fuckers ass.
With your attitude I can see why........

[Fmartinez1897]

It's annoying, but I would never encourage getting rid of it simply because it sets a precedent of selective industrial banning. Not to mention, in our competitive economy, BB would instantly look for other ways to measure its efficiency so something equally irritating would crop up in its place, like say an annoying store consultant or something.

shit never thought about it like that. Ok you have a good point.

[brantheman]

I guess I see what youre saying. pretty gay that mystery shop exsists. they shopped me on 4th of july man.....fucked me up. Wanted to pop a bottle rocket up the fuckers ass.

Pretty much any retail store that is a part of a huge corporation is going to have mystery shops. They're not going anywhere.


Frankly, i'm glad they're now noon to close. It means that the opening MOD's have to "worry" about it, too :cool:

[Fmartinez1897]

With your attitude I can see why........

believe me I dont have an attitude with the customers... ok does your door have a bell in your store?? I pretty sure it does but im just making sure. well mine was broken that night and for some reason it got packed on 4th of july and they stuck me with a new employee. it was his second day. Because of the size of the line I had to keep him on register...mystery shop checks that. so I got fucked on hellos, online to other customers. and candy. It was the new emp that got shopped. but being an asm, of course who gets yelled at? fuck that.

[Fmartinez1897]

Pretty much any retail store that is a part of a huge corporation is going to have mystery shops. They're not going anywhere.


Frankly, i'm glad they're now noon to close. It means that the opening MOD's have to "worry" about it, too :cool:


YESS!!!! HAHAHA!!! my store manager is always boasting about that shit. That in ten years shes never been shopped....A) she never works an evening shift. B) She takes an ass load of vacation during mysteryshops.

[rk237]

believe me I dont have an attitude with the customers... ok does your door have a bell in your store?? I pretty sure it does but im just making sure. well mine was broken that night and for some reason it got packed on 4th of july and they stuck me with a new employee. it was his second day. Because of the size of the line I had to keep him on register...mystery shop checks that. so I got fucked on hellos, online to other customers. and candy. It was the new emp that got shopped. but being an asm, of course who gets yelled at? fuck that.

It's BB you're mad at for putting so much stock in the mystery shoppers and not asking them to come often enough. If they came every day, incidents like that would be more acceptable and dilute into the pool of normally higher scores that would be achieved under regular circumstances.
Instead, BB relies entirely on the shops as its gauge, which don't come often enough to actually give a proper measurement. So the whole thing is just a charade whose biggest purpose is probably to make you uphold the nine-steps or whatever it is now under the threat of being shopped at any given moment. It's just another example of BB cutting corners, except in the area of pretending like they're not cutting corners, which is the company's most well-funded area.

[Angry]

I honestly don't give a shit about the score. It'd be nice to have a 100 each time, but the things I look for are

-Is everyone busy with some store related task/assisting customers
-Is everyone following dress code
-Is the store presentable
-Was the customer offered an upsell

I'm sure I missed a couple big ones, but these are the ones off the top of my head that I look for when I read shop results. All of these are clearly within our grasp to handle, regardless of traffic flow. I'm not going to give someone a hard time if they're busy with a lot of customers and they miss a greeting, or some other BS item.

You corporate folk have a different mystery shop form though, so I don't know the differences between the two of ours ;)

[bitemyskull]

YESS!!!! HAHAHA!!! my store manager is always boasting about that shit. That in ten years shes never been shopped....A) she never works an evening shift. B) She takes an ass load of vacation during mysteryshops.

How does she get away with working no peak shifts?

[Fmartinez1897]

you know whats funny though....anyone ever had a sixth sense about mystery shop?

[rk237]

How does she get away with working no peak shifts?

It's probably one of those rural laid back districts, like Montana, where to make his rounds and cover every store, the DL has to drive a thousand mile circuit. They clock in and out on post-its -- Compass is a thing they use to find the outhouse behind BB.

[zooworker]

How does she get away with working no peak shifts?
Our shops usual occur on weekdays.........

[Fmartinez1897]

How does she get away with working no peak shifts?

I wish I knew....my DM never really notices. (dont know how) but yea. She doesnt work peak shifts.Maybe every now and then. and even then its during the periods that we dont have mystery shops.

[brantheman]

I'm pretty sure, way back whenever, mystery shops were noon to close.

[rk237]

I'm pretty sure, way back whenever, mystery shops were noon to close.

Yup I asked my grandpa and he agrees.

[zooworker]

I'm pretty sure, way back whenever, mystery shops were noon to close.
Not to my 8 years of work that I remember.

[Fmartinez1897]

always been the same for me 6 to 10 they would just change the days.

[igniteice]

I just mystery shopped your store zoo. You got owned. That's when I swiped the LAZERDISC!

[johnlow71]

arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

[zooworker]

I just mystery shopped your store zoo. You got owned. That's when I swiped the LAZERDISC!
So that was you that was running out of my store. Hey can't score me anyway, you didn't rent anything. Last I heard theft wasn't on the score card.

[Air]

Back in Bran's day, when an employee had to use an abacus to check out customers, and MODs had to walk 3 miles in the snow after closing the store ;)

[ViciousVixen]

Back in Bran's day, when an employee had to use an abacus to check out customers, and MODs had to walk 3 miles in the snow after closing the store ;)

Whoa, you'd better not be talking about our bran. our's is a young, sexy stallion.

[brantheman]

Whoa, you'd better not be talking about our bran. our's is a young, sexy stallion.

Oh, I didn't tell you? I'm actually an old, overweight woman! :eek:

;)

[BBVcasualposter]

Oh, I didn't tell you? I'm actually an old, overweight woman! :eek:

;)


so Branthemaam ?

[brantheman]

so Branthemaam ?

Back in my day, I would be refered to as a "madam", you whippersnapper, you!

[BBVcasualposter]

I'd of hated that, means it would of cost me money

[Aphrodite]

Back in my day, I would be refered to as a "madam", you whippersnapper, you!

Is that 'Madam Brandonita' ?

If it is, I think I saw your card in a phone booth once...:p

[Fmartinez1897]

lol.........

[sar94pga]

Is that 'Madam Brandonita' ?

If it is, I think I saw your card in a phone booth once...:p

LOL bran gets around...cards in phonebooths in the UK!!!

wonder if he/she has a publisist....

[HelloItsMeMOM]

Damn, I just mystery shopped a store in the mall and the clerk behind the counter rolled his eyes at customers ... I couldn't believe it

[Lomithrandel]

Back in Bran's day, when an employee had to use an abacus to check out customers, and MODs had to walk 3 miles in the snow after closing the store ;)

During the winter that's what it's like for me, as the roads aren't safe to drive on sometimes :p. The abacus on the other hand has given way to a simple pencil and paper method :).

[Propoxy]

I truly believe that shops should be done by actual customers. Have a link to a survey online that they can take, and they get a $1.99 coupon next time or something. A ton of companies do stuff like that - it serves a double purpose - you don't have to pay mystery shoppers, and you ensure the customer comes back.
Well, it only took the company 3 months to implement this. I've only briefly gone over the program info, but it sounds damned close.

Did they at least send you your Chili's giftcard, Wrong Heaven?

[zooworker]

Have you ever seen people actually participate in this kind of program. I for one only do it when I'm pissed off. Bet you they get a high percentage of negative compared to positive. Even though a high percent of your customers are satisfied.

[CureForEmo]

Have you ever seen people actually participate in this kind of program. I for one only do it when I'm pissed off. Bet you they get a high percentage of negative compared to positive. Even though a high percent of your customers are satisfied.

You hit that nail right on the head Zoo. We use them at my current company. My store usually gets "a lot" of responses compared to other stores in our district, and it's still not even a full 1% of the ones we give out. This is even including the fact that my staff (usually) goes out of their way to tell people what they can get for filling it out. With that few responses, the one upset (or obnoxious) person who gives you a negative hit can kill the percentage for a few weeks/months.

It's a great idea, but in practice doesn't work so well.

[Wrong Heaven]

Well, it only took the company 3 months to implement this. I've only briefly gone over the program info, but it sounds damned close.

Did they at least send you your Chili's giftcard, Wrong Heaven?

Ha. I don't think I ever even sent the idea in. They ripped me off! :)

[bitemyskull]

You hit that nail right on the head Zoo. We use them at my current company. My store usually gets "a lot" of responses compared to other stores in our district, and it's still not even a full 1% of the ones we give out. This is even including the fact that my staff (usually) goes out of their way to tell people what they can get for filling it out. With that few responses, the one upset (or obnoxious) person who gives you a negative hit can kill the percentage for a few weeks/months.

It's a great idea, but in practice doesn't work so well.

Does your company offer an incentive for filling them out, though? Other than an entry into one of those $50,000 drawings? You're definitely right, the angry ones will notice more than anybody, but I'm hoping with there being an actual incentive, more satisfied customers will fill it out. Plus, I can always talk my regulars into being very nice to us and helping out... ;)

[CureForEmo]

Does your company offer an incentive for filling them out, though? Other than an entry into one of those $50,000 drawings? You're definitely right, the angry ones will notice more than anybody, but I'm hoping with there being an actual incentive, more satisfied customers will fill it out. Plus, I can always talk my regulars into being very nice to us and helping out... ;)

Just a drawing, but it's a monthly one and much more obtainable than 50 grand