Hamilton County
Secret Shopper Program

Secret Shopper Instructions - In-Person Visit

Step 1

Preparing to shop

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Become familiar with the services offered at the department you are assigned to shop.

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Prepare the in-person visit evaluation form required for your visit.

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Decide on two or three questions you will ask.

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Determine why you are visiting and prepare your customer scenario based on the questions you will ask.

Step 2

Making the visit

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Make your secret shopper visit during normal business hours.

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Visit during the time period allotted by the Secret Shopper Coordinator.

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Don't tell the person you speak with that you are a secret shopper. Just act like it's an ordinary visit.

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Ask the questions you have chosen, or any other questions you think of.

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If the person you speak with does not give their name, be sure to ask for the person's name before you leave the office.

Step 3

Complete the evaluation form

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Complete the in-person visit evaluation form immediately after your visit.

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Please write legibly using clear and concise statements.

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Place your completed evaluation form in the self-addressed, stamped envelope provided and place it in the U.S. Mail or drop it off at 138 E. Court Street, Room 603 or fill out the on-line evaluation form.

Be objective

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Report in a factual manner based on direct observations during the visit.

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Report specific behaviors versus your personal opinion or speculation.

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Report in a manner that will positively contribute to the continuous improvement efforts of the department you are shopping.

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Note customer-pleasing elements, best practices observed, and recommendations for further improvement.

Evaluation Criteria Guidelines

Strongly Agree: Employee exceeds the standard.
Employee does an excellent job.
Employee goes above and beyond what's expected.
Employee provides more help than what was requested.
Employee provides exceptional service.

Agree:

Employee meets the standard.
Employee does an adequate job.
Employee provides the help that was requested.
Employee provides good service.

Disagree:

Employee does not meet the standard.
Employee fails in one or more aspects of the standard.
Employee does not provide help obtaining the information requested.
Employee provides less than adequate service.

Strongly Disagree:

Employee does not meet the standard, and it causes a problem.
Employee fails in all aspects of the standard.
Employee does not even try to provide help obtaining the information requested.
Employee provides exceptionally poor, unacceptable service.
       
Below Average
Exceptionally Poor
Less than
Average
Average Above Average
Exceptionally Good
       


Strongly
Disagree


Disagree


Agree


Strongly
Agree

Your answers are important to us. Thank you.

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Copyright Hamilton County, Ohio 2007

* Information on this site is believed to be true and accurate. Hamilton County disclaims any liability for errors or omissions.
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