Mystery Shopping Expose #6

Article compiled by BR Natalie

Answers and Photos: BR Hero Lynn

Being one of our three Superheroes has some perks. The most enviable (other than the cape) has to be the chance to mystery shop a beauty counter, salon or shop.  Oh yes, we give our Superheroes some spending money and send them undercover in the beauty industry

But when one of our Superheroes couldn't make their mystery shop, we had a bit of a dilemna. Do we cancel it?  No, it was a perfect assignment for Christmas time, we had to find someone else, we just had to! So who do we bestow such a lofty task upon?  Well we chose one of our newly appointed Review Heroes, the gorgeous Lynn to give up her time, and go mystery shop one of the nations most well loved stores.

Here's how she got on.

The assignment given to Lynn was:

You'll be heading to the fragrance department at your local Farmers.  Your mission should you choose to accept it, is to ask for help at the fragrance counter to buy a new fragrance up to the value of $100.  (If you like you can top up with your own money, or if you find a fragrance for less, you can use the remaining money to put towards another beauty purchase of your choice!)

Lynn visited the Whangarei Farmers Store. 

Describe your first impressions when you walked into the store?

It was lunchtime on Saturday so parking was very easy and conveniently found a parking at the front door. When I walked over to the counter the first saleslady Jo, was serving a customer but within 2 or 3 minutes Islah approached me, asking how she could help me. Very friendly and polite.

The fragrance counter was clean and clutter free with a few small displays of new fragrances on it. Very impressive.

What questions did they ask you before commencing your consultation?

She asked me if I had a particular fragrance in mind or if she could interest me in one of the most popular new fragrances. She asked if I had tried Black Opium.

Describe what happened during your consultation. Talk about the environment, how you felt during the appointment, your consultant’s attitude:

Super friendly.  I told her I loved Chanel No 5 and First by van Cleef and Arpel.   She mentioned they did not sell Channel or First but asked me what they smelt like or if I could describe the undertones.

It was very professional. Jo joined in at this stage and asked what perfumes I wore and then suggested I try a few of the most popular and a few of the classics. She also suggested I try only four by smelling the paper and then walk around for a while and come back to smell a few more. I followed her advice.

I kept going back to smell the Estee Lauder Moden Muse and she suggested I try it on and wear it for a while.

I purchased the Estee Lauder Modern Muse - it came to a total of $95.20 (there was a 15% discount on it!

What did you like about your experience?

They were very obliging and genuinely seemed like they wanted to help me - and there was no rushing me. Each time I returned they were full of smiles and gave me the impression that nothing was a problem.

Anything you didn’t like?

No!

Would you visit this counter again, if you were paying for it yourself?

Definitely - both assistants were friendly and helpful and the store was spotless.

Would you recommend this experience to a friend?

Definitely.

Is there anything else would you like to add?

Even though it is getting close to Christmas and I am sure they have been extremely busy they were more than obliging. When I purchased the bottle of fragrance Islah gave me a sample of the Versace Vanitas which she thought I may like too.

With a little bit of a yarn spin Lynn managed to snap a pic of the lovely Jo and Islah - so if you live in Whangerai you'll know who to look for when you're next shopping for fragrance!

So there we have it - another Superhero Mystery Shop - big thanks to Lynn for going undercover for us, and a huge congratulations on your promotion to Review Hero!