Was Anyone Watching?
By paigea
@paigea (35693)
Canada
February 14, 2016 7:39pm CST
As soon as I gassed up my car I drove across the street to another gas station and asked the attendant to fill it up. I even went into the bathroom at each station.
Then I went uptown and did the same thing at two grocery stores and at two hardware type stores. I guess that is more normal to go from shop to shop in that case. I did visit 6 bathrooms in a short time though.
That was my mystery shopping day yesterday. I am always hoping no one notices the slightly odd things things I do while mystery shopping.
When I stepped out of one of the grocery stores I saw a man taking photos of the outside of the store. That is another task I sometimes have to do so I was wondering about him.
Would you think it was odd to see someone taking a picture of the outside of the grocery store?
26 people like this
30 responses
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
15 Feb 16
I don't think I notice other people while getting gas or shopping. I think the majority of us just live in our own heads....
3 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
15 Feb 16
I would not think so anymore. I know that you can also do tasks like that through apps on your phone.
I imagine more and more people are starting to use these apps and would guess why someone was taking a picture of a store front, or even store tag.
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
15 Feb 16
@paigea Worried that this will me the end to mystery shopping? I've seen apps where people can go in, answer questions about prices, shelf quantity, friendliness of service, etc.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35693)
• Canada
15 Feb 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum No, worried that someone knows what I am doing when I take pictures.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38657)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Feb 16
@BellaDoc Yelper? I've not heard that term before. Is that another name for a mystery shopper?
2 people like this
@BellaDoc (762)
• San Diego, California
21 Feb 16
@MarshaMusselman Someone who contributes to Yelp :) Best wishes
2 people like this
@lokisdad (4226)
• United States
15 Feb 16
As soon as I read that you went across the street to the other gas station and used the bathroom Mystery shopper came to mind. It is strange because you think Tourist,Blogger or whats wrong? I want to give it a try but that will hae to be when i have transportation and when i have time.
2 people like this
@paigea (35693)
• Canada
15 Feb 16
So, it is obvious to some. Even worse when I cross the street to go to a second or third fast food place.
If you are interested just start with the odd mystery shop that fits right in with errands you need to do anyway. That is actually what I mostly do. Find a mystery shop that is near work and just do that one.
If you are interested just start with the odd mystery shop that fits right in with errands you need to do anyway. That is actually what I mostly do. Find a mystery shop that is near work and just do that one.1 person likes this
@paigea (35693)
• Canada
16 Feb 16
@GardenGerty I do try to. I am going to think of mural painting. lol
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
15 Feb 16
Interesting experience, I haven't been a mystery shopper before. I feel that it's essential for the shopper to take a picture to prove that they've been there at least.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
16 Feb 16
Then of course there are the cable or communications companies. You have to get a business card and brochure and take a picture on the outside.
2 people like this
@paigea (35693)
• Canada
15 Feb 16
My receipt shows that I've been there. Sometimes I don't buy anything and yes then a picture is often required. And sometimes the picture is just part of the observation. But I always feel self conscious when I have to take these pictures in public.
2 people like this
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
15 Feb 16
@paigea It's certainly a less desirable part of the job.
2 people like this
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
16 Feb 16
Years ago I probably would think it would be odd, but now not really. Maybe he was taking the picture because he was putting up tasks on Mturk. I know on there you have tasks where you have put boxes around certain things. Or maybe he was a P.I.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
18 Feb 16
@paigea The tasks on MTurk are surveys, getting items from reciepts, putting boxes on objects, etc. I don't know if they would be considered useful.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35693)
• Canada
18 Feb 16
@JESSY3236 well I can see how the survey data is useful, but putting boxes on objects has me stumped as to how it could be useful. ?
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
15 Feb 16
No not if you write as I do because I have photos of store fronts for my blogs. But to other people, Yes we are weird :)
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
18 Feb 16
I would think it was a store inspection activity of some kind - when I take photos of pubs I get strange looks from customers and staff
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
18 Feb 16
@paigea yes indeed - mystery shoppers are supposed to be discreet
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54189)
• Louisville, Kentucky
16 Feb 16
@paigea That's true. You just never really know why someone is taking a picture. They could be tourists or someone wanting to do an article on the place or it could be for insurance purposes or the owner might want to sell. I guess that is why I wouldn't have thought about it again because the possibilities are endless.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35693)
• Canada
15 Feb 16
Lately I have mainly been doing one after work. But I decided to put together a full day of mystery shopping. It didn't quite come together as I'd hoped but I had to do the ones I was committed to. I had hoped to make it worth while with one quite higher paid job. Oh well.
1 person likes this
