Here in the US, the mystery shopper thing is always a worry for shop workers, as is shop lifting. And I recently found out that in shops geared toward women, the number of male shop lifters being caught in them is on the rise. Why go through the embarrassment of buying your lady that g-string when you can steal it and be caught for lifting it instead???
I feel bad for staff as a former mystery shopper because some of this companies make up the dumbest stuff and you know someone in admin who has never worked behind a till or served someone in their lives came up with it. For example, one place had a rule that any table, no matter how busy they were must be cleared within a couple of minutes and it's almost impossible in a large place full of people. Only one place managed it.
I have friends that were fired because of mystery shoppers and it was basically a set up involving cigarettes. I can always pick them out though, having worked retail for so long. Some are painfully obvious.
Quote: AndreaLynne @ October 1 2009, 3:36 PM BSTI have friends that were fired because of mystery shoppers and it was basically a set up involving cigarettes. I can always pick them out though, having worked retail for so long. Some are painfully obvious.
Is it the black cape and mask that gives it away?
I had heard of some dumbasses who would give themselves away. We were told of one guy who had to be let go because every place he went to had 100% in a year which is very odd so they looked into it and it turned out he was going in with the forms on a clipboard and marking them off and he went around so of course he was always spotted by staff.
To be fair I think I only ever gave two bad scores.
Quote: RubyMae - Glamourous Snowdrop at Large @ October 1 2009, 3:34 PM BSTI feel bad for staff as a former mystery shopper because some of this companies make up the dumbest stuff and you know someone in admin who has never worked behind a till or served someone in their lives came up with it. For example, one place had a rule that any table, no matter how busy they were must be cleared within a couple of minutes and it's almost impossible in a large place full of people. Only one place managed it.
Bastards the lot of them!
When I was in high school the gas station I worked at required us to:
-Say: "Welcome to Pioneer, my name is Curt how may I help you?" 1 point
-Say: "Would you like your oil checked today?" 1 point
-Say: "Would you like your windows washed today?" 1 point
- Wash the windows 1 point
- Not keep the customer waiting for longer than 3 minutes. 1 point
- Give "Bonus Bucks" I type of funny money you could use to buy stuff at the store.
- Say "Thank you, have a nice day". 1 point.
If I missed either the oil change, window washing or bonus bucks the customer got 10 dollars worth of Bonus Bucks.
I worked ALONE at this gas station attending 8 pumps often in the dead of a northern Canadian winter and was still expected to do all these things. I did this job for 6 years of my high school and college. The crap jobs you have to do being English and working in a predominantly French community.
But what if you're name wasn't Curt? 
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ October 1 2009, 3:46 PM BSTBut what if you're name wasn't Curt?
Oh then all is forgiven. If your name was Dolly though you had to also offer a rim job.
I know ASDA and I think Tesco now have a pretty insane policy where they lose points if they forget to smile. I have unfortunately been aware also that the needs of the staff have been ignored in order to attract the customers sometimes and while they ARE very important, you need a happy staff who feel valued and safe.
That's why if I do work in shops and places like that, I prefer the independant places because they don't put up with the insane admin made up stuff.
I prefer libraries to bars. They don't discriminate the way bars do.
Quote: chipolata @ October 1 2009, 4:07 PM BSTI prefer libraries to bars. They don't discriminate the way bars do.
I'd love a library job. 
I went for one once and nearly got it but was passed over for someone who has a skill I didn't have. That was all that was in it and it made me sad.
What skill?
I went for a library job too once. Didn't even get an interview. 
Quote: zooo @ October 1 2009, 4:15 PM BSTWhat skill?
I went for a library job too once. Didn't even get an interview.
It was a performing arts library and the girl who got the job was able to read music extremely well. I can read it but at a very basic level.
It wasn't important to be able to read music but it was a big plus.
Ohhhh! Blimey. Specialist library. Mine was just a normal one.
I'm so glad other people like libraries so much. I bet you'd love a sitcom about one.