Steven, that usually depends on a couple things, and you'd have to contact the scheduler/company to request the change. I haven't had to with ISS, but other companies I have had to request a date change. It's usually no problem because I am requesting the change to be made within the allotted deadline of fhe final day a shop can be done. I had to most recently because of a car repair that came on without warning and had to go into the shop. I was able to reschedule to two days after my initial agreement, but all was fine. The only thing that could impede that is if there are two shoppers scheduled for the same place during the same time period, schedulers usually do not like two shoppers in one day and you'd have to go in on a different day than another shopper previously scheduled on your new request day. Basically though, as long as you can reschedule to another day within the requested shopping time frame, you should be good.

There's different ways...retail would be to see if you can ask if they'll carry a specific item (relating to the store you're in) Restaurant, you can just say you want to compliment the service/food etc. It's easier for you to list or note the places you're hesitant to ask and I can possibly offer a way or a couple ways. Been doing this for 30 years so I've got all the excuses why I need to speak to a manager :D

That infomation would be in the guidelines of the shop. Some companies I am with want all shop reports submitted that same day no later than midnight...others allow 24 hours from when you completed the shop...and then others, like you mentioned with multi-steps to them, will have the submission dates all spelled out

I agree, fine dining is actually the easiest to speak to a manager and casually get a name