Wednesday, 18 July 2007

• "No Mayo Please!"

  Well, I got more responses than I anticipated (more than 0) so I will continue posting.  Lately I have tried the whole "mystery shopper" thing.  Maybe it's the free service I signed up with, maybe it's because they give the lame shops to the rookies, but it's not nearly as glamorous as it sounds.  I signed up for this one job where you go to McD's, walk in for a meal, order another at the drive through, fill out a survey and get two free meals and an extra $7.50.  Doesn't sound like a half bad deal, right? 

  Problem - The survey is a huge pain in the wah-zoo.  It requires you to document times down to the second, such as when you joined the line, when your order was taken, when they took your money, and when you received your order.  (They have a physical description of me and the manager can verify on security cameras that I was there.)  Then, the survey proceeds to ask the most detailed, nit-picky questions ever.  You have to survey the outside of the restaurant - Is there any trash in the parking lot?  The bushes?  Are all the lights on the menu working?  Does the sound box look rusty?  You have to inspect the employees - Was their hair okay?  Were their hands clean?  Did they have a personal conversation in front of you?  What about the other two employees?  Give their name and their approximate gender, age, race, and bu uild.  You're required to go to the restroom as well (or give an incredibly detailed explanation about why they wouldn't let you in).  

  On the inside of the restaurant, I checked out what kind of comment cards were available, and checked for dirt on the walls, floors, condiment bar, looked for overflowing trash cans, etc.  I was somewhat bummed because it was quite possibly the cleanest and most efficient McDonald's I had ever visited.  I had to order two sandwiches missing one of three specified condiments - one beef item from inside (I gave it to my Dad later, since I was required to go alone), and one chicken item at the drive through, as well as fries and drinks.  I had to inspect the bun for finger prints, the alignment of the meat and condiments, and analyze the temperature.  The employee failed to give me one or more napkins for each food item.  Shame, shame. 

  Anyway, that's just the things that immediately come to mind, it was insanely complex, and the hardest $7.50 I ever made.  Well, probably more like $5.75 after taxes.  Not to mention I don't eat beef, and don't care much for their fries.  Doesn't look like I'll be rolling in the dough mystery shopping.

  THOUGHT OF THE DAY

  Two all beef patties... double... cheese... mustard... and apple pie!  Anyone know how that goes?

   

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