I don’t know about you, but whenever I do you want to do shops at Ulta, or at a store, where there could be a lot of theft. It never fails the minute I walk in I get sized up by the security guard and then followed around and then basically harassed about why am taking pictures when I am taking notes, and it just turns into me ending up having to leave. I have not been paid twice now, because of a security guard, preventing me from completing my shop. And I don’t know how to handle this. I’ve complained to the people who hired the security guard for the property. I have even talk to the actual store. I’m doing the shop to let them know that the security guard preventing me from completing a secret shop and I am reporting it. Something needs to be done there should not be harassment or problems with being able to conduct what it is being asked to do it is not a lot to take pictures and it’s not a lot of time that you’re spending there to cause any problems for anybody Any ideas on how we can get security guard to stop harassing the secret shoppers?

I wear a badge and lift it up in their direction while flashing a tired smile. They’ve nodded and left me alone. Sorry to hear they want to follow you!

I did one recently where I had an authorization letter to be there. I showed it to the person who was working there and I could tell they thought I was a little sketchy, but I just acted as though I have every right to be there and went about my business. It was a quick audit, I was actually only there for like 10 minutes. if you are having the same problems over and over again, I would definitely not be taking those shops because that’s just BS that you’re doing work that you’re not getting paid for.

That's probably better to avoid these shops if that is going to happen

That's probably better to avoid these shops if that is going to happen

I turned around once and when being followed by security and said “Really??? I’m a secret shopper and clearly I’m not very good at my job. Since obviously I’m not going to be able to do this discretely, how about you just walk next to me instead of lurking behind me. If you want we can even hold hands like 2nd graders on a field trip” It was obvious he felt foolish but walked silently next to me the rest of my trip. It was better than having him behind me and calling attention to me.

I turned around once and when being followed by security and said “Really??? I’m a secret shopper and clearly I’m not very good at my job. Since obviously I’m not going to be able to do this discretely, how about you just walk next to me instead of lurking behind me. If you want we can even hold hands like 2nd graders on a field trip” It was obvious he felt foolish but walked silently next to me the rest of my trip. It was better than having him behind me and calling attention to me.

I have never done a scouting so I can not say, but it did happen in a Good Will that I was taking photos and the Mgr came over and told me I could not. I told her that I was a personal shopper and that I had many clients for whom I style and require them to approve a look.

That shut them up quick enough.

Try playing a part, saying you are researching for a brand start up, or you are showing your customer which is the brand she prefers, and add that your clients are soooo picky... This is an acting job!

Hi! You have nothing to hide, so communicate with them when you first walk in the store instead - "Hi, I want to let you know I am a personal/mystery shopper and I will be taking photos etc today for my job. If you have any questions for me please let me know." and that can be the end of it. If they ask for proof, sign into this site and show them them the shop and address. You should be fine. That way, you won't have to worry about them afterwards and it is fixed in the beginning. Also, a lot of theft is associated with employees in the store not communicating with all customers, so some thieves think they have gone unseen or unnoticed for the most part and do their own thing. If you're making that connection with the security guard, that issue is mitigated. good luck in the future shops!

Mavreen @ May 24, 2023, 5:03:58 AM

I turned around once and when being followed by security and said “Really??? I’m a secret shopper and clearly I’m not very good at my job. Since obviously I’m not going to be able to do this discretely, how about you just walk next to me instead of lurking behind me. If you want we can even hold hands like 2nd graders on a field trip” It was obvious he felt foolish but walked silently next to me the rest of my trip. It was better than having him behind me and calling attention to me.

This is so silly of the security guard continuing to follow you afterwards.