Linda, I never use a living person for these shops. I wouldn't want to jinx them or something. I would feel terrible if I used them and something did indeed happen to them. I choose a relative that has already passed on.

Lol Wanda I never use a living person either! I feel it's such bad luck. For me it's much easier to use my mom since she passed away when I was a little kid, 20 years ago. It doesn't sting when I talk about it but I do get sad, so unfortunately it does help me when completing these shops which I happen to do often.

VONDELE @ Oct 1, 2018 7:18:49 PM

So I am truly convinced that I am not ever ever ever getting paid for this shop. I was to sound really sad, not in tears, but super sad that a relative passed and he only has 24 hours to live according to doctors.

Everything went smooth on my part (almost) and especially the funeral director's part.

So now he is really showing empathy and asked me if i'm ever in town, would i like a tour of the home. I said yes i would. He said tell me when will you be in town and i said in 2 WEEKS... LIKE REALLY????!!!!... 2 WEEKS? LOLOLOLOL... MY LOVED ONE ONLY HAS 24 HOURS BUT I WILL BE THERE IN 2 WEEKS? He did not even skip a beat with this one. He found it necessary to remind me that my uncle only has 24 hours and i changed and said 1 week... REALLY???? , so he decides to make a suggestion since i was totally confused. He said that when the time comes for my uncle's passing, they will contact the funeral home in my area and have him transferred.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY I'M ABOUT TO FILL OUT THIS REPORT. IT WAS SO MUCH TO REMEMBER. OH WELL. LESSON LEARNED.

Hi Vondele,

Don't worry always reach out to your MSP he/she will work on your scheduling and they are very flexible. If you're shopping funeral homes do it as it's just a business no strings attached. Follow the guidelines and you should be good. Remember don't leave any money on the table.

hi i am really new here.. Sorry If this is not the place to post.but i do not quite understand this some of the shopping say no reimbursement.. I do not drive, but can get to most places.The spots they send me by email are 2 hours away.. Can I control the range of places (miles )where I could do this shoppling to increase my ability to do this.

I have not done any of the ones sent even the phone ones. Cause i am stuck on some of the particulars..Boy do i jfeel dumb.

Can anyone help or tell me where to go..Again sorry if this is not where to post this question

Wow, I can only imagine how hard this must have honestly been. I have seen shops from past experiences stumble the individuals when caught off guard. this one for certain is one for the books. Thankfully I haven't encountered one like this yet but when I do I will try my best to be whole hearted and prepared for anything. thank you for posting this shop, as information from these posts will certainly help others in the field when they come across it..

What I have learned from my own experiences is to keep cool, confident and proceed. I am about to launch a few phoen shops on secretshop and looking forward to them.

VONDELE @ Oct 1, 2018 7:18:49 PM

So I am truly convinced that I am not ever ever ever getting paid for this shop. I was to sound really sad, not in tears, but super sad that a relative passed and he only has 24 hours to live according to doctors.

Everything went smooth on my part (almost) and especially the funeral director's part.

So now he is really showing empathy and asked me if i'm ever in town, would i like a tour of the home. I said yes i would. He said tell me when will you be in town and i said in 2 WEEKS... LIKE REALLY????!!!!... 2 WEEKS? LOLOLOLOL... MY LOVED ONE ONLY HAS 24 HOURS BUT I WILL BE THERE IN 2 WEEKS? He did not even skip a beat with this one. He found it necessary to remind me that my uncle only has 24 hours and i changed and said 1 week... REALLY???? , so he decides to make a suggestion since i was totally confused. He said that when the time comes for my uncle's passing, they will contact the funeral home in my area and have him transferred.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY I'M ABOUT TO FILL OUT THIS REPORT. IT WAS SO MUCH TO REMEMBER. OH WELL. LESSON LEARNED.

I know this is an old thread, but I have one of those upcoming next week. I'm actually a ventriloquist who has performed for years, so acting as different personalities is not at all new to me! lol One trick I plan to use is to think of an actual person that passed that I miss today. And the old actor's trick of chopping some onions before hand can't hurt. It gives that "have been crying" sound, complete with nasal tone. lol

I'm glad you posted this though, so I keep in mind the requirements.

Doing these shops can be tricky even if you are prepared. Sometimes it is hard to tell them above a lived one dying. If you can explain that this is all new to you and you have never had to do this before. Or maybe that this has been so overwhelming for you, it can make any slip ups seem normal because you are under a ton of stress. To me if it goes perfect that is not right either. Stumbling on words or saying something out of place makes it more real to me. Once you do a few it does get easier.

I guess the bottom line is to make sure you can complete the shop and do the best you can.

I never use a living family member on these shops either as my shop would turn out a disaster as I would get extremely emotional.  The first time I performed one of these shops I used my grandmother as she passed 15 years ago and it was still a little difficult to get through the call.  However, it does get easier the more times you perform this shop.

I just saw your reply. The shop went well and I did use a familiar person, my mother in law. I even did another one more recently, and used my father in law. It is easier using someone you know because you can interject the emotion and nervousness and have real questions. I actually learned a couple things as well.