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Display, What Display?
Editor's note: This first tale is about one of my merchandising escapades. If you haven't already done so, please check out the new merchandising section of my web site. I also have a brand new book out called "The Quick & Easy Guide To Making Money As A Merchandiser"--check it out in Melanie's Book Corner.
Recently I had a merchandising assignment that was a nice deal because it was right across the street from regular merchandising and mystery shopping assignments from two other companies I work with. See why combining merchandising and mystery shopping can kick your earnings into high gear?
Anyway, the assignment was simple enough--put up a POS Display (no that does not stand for what you might be thinking, it's point-of-sale) and some additional small counter signs for a contest in my local mega hardware store. Once I got the sign box to fit in my car (thank goodness I have a convertible for those too-tall boxes), it seemed like a piece of cake. I went into the store, introduced myself, fielded a few questions for the manufacturer promoting the contest (no, I am clueless about treated deck wood, but as long as I nod sympathetically and promise to take it back to my District Manager, I don't really need to know anything else).
I set up the display and even the Department Manager commented how attractive it was. Good job, Melanie!
I was very happy when the same merchandising company contacted me about two days later and asked if I wouldn't mind going back to change the contest coupon pads and swap out one of the counter signs for another assignment. So the following week I went back to do that job. I checked in with the Department Manager who was in love with the display ten days earlier and he looked down and said "sorry Ma'am, I can't let you do that." I was puzzled. Where was the love? When I pressed about why I couldn't do my job, the manager said the display was gone. Huh? I asked how the sign that was about 6 feet tall could disappear without a trace in a heavy traffic section of the store? The Department Manager looked at me and said with a completely sincere look on his face "it's gone because one of my guys accidentally ran over it with a forklift, and it was banged up so bad, we had to throw it out".
Okaaaay! So now what to do? I did the only thing I could. I handed the Manager the new contest coupons for the front desk, swapped out the counter sign and left. It was a flat rate assignment, so I got paid the same anyway for 8 minutes worth of work. My big concern was that the merchandising company might not believe me. So I filled out my timesheet and when it came to
the question about if I did the job, I said yes, but explained what happened with the "runaway" forklift. I also left a message for the supervisor.
My wondering about whether or not I was going to get paid, since I had only worked 8 minutes, got answered about two weeks later. I got a check with a thank you note from the supervisor for my
honesty and the best laugh they had all week!
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This is where you can get your copy of "The Perfect Work-At-Home Job: Mystery Shopping", "How-To Finally Make Money As A Mystery Shopper"--remember--you save 20% when you buy both! And while you are there, pick up "The Quick And Easy Guide To NMaking Money As A Merchandiser" to create our dual, flexible home-based career.
You can make your purchase 24/7 with no shipping or sales tax. It's easy, fast and secure and your book will be immediately accessible!
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Well, At Least The Neighbors Are Quiet
If you do apartment mystery shops for any length of time, you get paid very well, but you also can get a little bored with "the drill". All it takes is one shop to bring back the amusement.
I went over to the on-site portion of an apartment shop in an area of my neighborhood that I really never looked at in detail before. For the phone portion of the shop, I stressed that a very quiet, view location was very important to me. When I arrived at the apartment complex, the leasing agent was pleasant and led me to the vacant unit for rent. As we were about to walk through the door, she told me that she was very pleased that this unit became available as it was one of the quietest with the loveliest view in the whole development.
We stepped inside and she let me look around the place. I did my usual "of course I'm very interested in renting" walk around as she pointed out features and benefits. As she led me to the window, my leasing agent said "see, just as I told you, quiet and a lovely view". I played along and followed her to the window and prepared to be "amazed". But the surprise was on me. I was amazed. I saw lots of incredibly manicured grass, flowers and rows of headstones. Oh my
goodness, this apartment overlooks a cemetery! Hey, I thought to myself, didn't the builder of this place see the movie Poltergeist?
I struggled to get my composure and then commented as calmly as I possibly could "gee, this apartment overlooks a cemetery, isn't that kind of spooky?" Without missing a beat, the leasing agent said "well at least the neighbors are quiet and you really just see mostly greenery and flowers". I'm thinking headstones, what about the headstones? As if she was reading my mind, she added, "the digging goes on much further back out of view in the newer section". Oh, I
thought, sure, that makes all the difference!
I was now bucking for an Oscar as I gave my most sincere, "well, you're right it is quiet, I guess this place could work", and let her finish her presentation. In doing the shop report I actually gave
the leasing agent very high marks because she certainly did a masterful job of overcoming objections. I could just see the people at the mystery shopping company and the client reading my report! I'll bet they weren't bored anymore as they went through their pile of shopper reports either!
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The next Coach's Diary column will be published on July 1st. The next issue of Perfect Work-At-Home Job Update will be released on June 18th. Your comments, questions and suggestions are welcome by e-mailing me at mysteryshopcoach@aol.com. New subscriptions are welcome by e-mailing me at mscoach@aweber.com.
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Copyright 2001-2008, Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing
