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A
common problem for pubs, supermarkets and off-licence chains is that of managing
outlets standards in serving under-age customers. The embarrassment of a
local court
prosecution, or being caught out by trading standards, the press and other
authorities, can be a PR disaster. |
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Our
team of "mystery shoppers" appear to the retailer as under-age for purchases of alcohol and tobacco. The exercises are videoed and purchases
retained, and a full report subsequently discussed with the client. Watch our "underage" Investigators debriefed after test purchasing alcohol. |
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A
common task is for our people to test-market all the client's
off-licences in a region. Response of the member of staff is evaluated,
and, with client's permission, secretly filmed. Our client may then use
our findings as a part of their employee training programme. |
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The
results can be quite alarming - on exercises our "under-age girls"
- sometimes dressed in school uniform and convincingly looking the part - were
served cigarettes and alcohol in supermarkets, off-licences and pubs
without being asked for ID. |
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Our
"teenagers" were filmed by the BBC as a part of a documentary series on Private Eyes and featured in the Morning Advertiser . This
programme is run from our Guildford office, who may be contacted by email or by telephone on 01483 200999. We are always
pleased to visit clients with a view to discussing a programme for your
company's benefit. |
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Mystery
Shopping staff are all trained, and no laws are broken when exercises
are carried out. Similarly, every precaution is taken to provide
protection for our shoppers, especially considering the environments in
which they are sometimes required to work. |
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For more information, visit our industry specific websites at:
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