The term “secret shopper” will likely strike fear in the heart of every customer service worker. So, it’s no surprise that some patrons may well have used this fear to their advantage.
Secret shoppers are very common in the retail industry, having popped up in stores like Costco before. However, secret shoppers also visit establishments like restaurants. With this in mind, TikToker Ellie (@3llie.mess) initially claimed that she tested what would happen if she were to pretend to be a secret shopper. And the result might surprise you.
In the video, Ellie filmed herself strategically placing her unlocked phone on the table with the Notes app up. Simultaneous to this, on-screen text read: “Pretending to be a secret shopper and ‘subtly’ leaving the notes open on my phone to see if we get better service.”
The camera then cut to the person she was with holding takeout boxes, with someone then holding up a note to the camera that reads, “2x Free Drinks” along with what looks like a signature. The on-screen text then said, “We actually got two free drinks!”
However, the video description adds a little nuance to the situation. “I can’t believe we actually got two free drinks!” Ellie wrote. “The waiter said it’s because we were really kind about hour busy it was, but I reckon it was my secret shopping!”
In total, the video amassed 349,000. BroBible reached out to Ellie via TikTok direct message.
The Secret Shopper Method Proves Divisive
Commenters have a vast range of opinions. “Minimum wage = minimum effort,” one wrote. “Couldn’t care if you were the president or some random bloke. Everyone gets treated the same.”
“Hey, don’t do this,” a second simply said.
“This is so corny I can’t” a third remarked.
“When I worked in McDonald’s 20 years or so ago the secret shoppers only ordered one of two things. I think it was like a large Big Mac with Coke or a chicken burger or something like that,” a fourth shared. “Everytime someone ordered that with nothing else they would tell you to prioritise it over every thing else and would be shouting in the kitchen about how there was a secret shopper order.”
And a fifth, more skeptical user added, “Except actual secret shoppers know that they aren’t allowed to give the employees any indication they’re a secret shopper.”
However, as well as replying to several commenters saying she was joking, Ellie clarified in the comments that she didn’t actually pretend to be a secret shopper.
“Hey! So this post is a joke!” she said. “I did not pretend to be a secret shopper, we got the free drinks because they were busy and the waiter said they made us wait the longest and we were the kindest. He said we made his day by being so kind and understanding.”
How Else Can You Get ‘Special Treatment’ At A Restaurant?
Whether real or not, the secret shopper trick isn’t the only way to get that A-list treatment at a restaurant.
As TikToker Kate Noel (@kkatenoel) found out, all it took was a notebook to ensure that she had five-star service.
Revealing her feat to the camera, she explained, “Note to self that if you go to dinner by yourself, alone at a restaurant, and you clearly are not from the area, and you order a wide array of items off the menu, including a very fun little cocktail, and you bring with you one notepad, one pen, and you proceed to scribble in cursive about nothing that has to do with this restaurant. They will think you’re a food critic, and they will treat you very well.”
@3llie.mess I can’t believe we actually got two free drinks! The waiter said it’s because we were really kind about hour busy it was, but I reckon it was my secret shopping! #customerservice #hospitality #secretshopper #hospitalitystorytime #waiterslife