One of the reasons a shop report may be rejected by the client is that the shopper went to the wrong location. That may be hard to believe, but it happens. Many large chains have locations that are very close to each other and if you do not verify the address, you could end up shopping the wrong place. That means the report will not be accepted and you will not be paid.
As part of your preparation for the shop, here are a few things you can do to make sure you go to the correct location:
- Go to the client company’s web site and look for a map of locations. Compare the address in your assignment to the locations on the site.
- Use Google Maps or other online mapping systems to check the address. You can also get directions there, if you are going to an unfamiliar part of town.
- Call the client location and ask where they are. The phone number is usually in the guidelines. If not, look it up online or in the telephone directory. Many shops require a pre-visit call, so that is a good time to ask for directions.
Don’t forget to check the address when you get to the location, too. Look for an address on the sign, building or door.
Making the effort to verify the location before the shop takes very little time, but is an important part of doing your secret shopping assignments correctly.
A quick note from a mystery shopping company owner – in many cases it is the client who discovers the shopper went to the wrong location when employee names, location descriptions, or product offerings do not match up.
When we get calls like that from a client it makes us looks bad which, in turn, makes us apprehensive about using that shopper in the future. A good rule overall of thumb is, if you help us look good to our clients, we will be happy to give you more and better assignments in the future.
Cory Jensen, Owner
I-Spy Mystery Shoppers
Omaha, NE
http://www.ispymysteryshoppers.com
This is one of those mistakes that it is easy to make, but also easy to avoid. In Houston, we have a street called Westheimer. It runs from near downtown almost to the suburbs. Lots of businesses have multiple locations on Westheimer, often not far from each other. If the shopper doesn’t check, they could go to the wrong location.
The shoppers who take the time to make the phone call or look up the address will be the ones that companies such as Cory’s appreciate.