Examples in Action

An establishment signs up with a budget of $15 per person. Over the next month, the Brookings Chamber will anonymously send three customers to visit the establishment. The customer will make a purchase, utilizing up to their $15 budget (if the shopper purchases something above $15, the excess is covered by the shopper).

After their visit, these customers will complete a 20+ question feedback form to rate the establishment on various attributes. 

For a counter service restaurant, the evaluation questions could look like:

• Did you receive a prompt and sincere greeting from the employees?
• Was the process of picking up your food clear? Was it easy to tell which order was yours?

For a sit down restaurant, the evaluation questions could look like:

• How was the cleanliness of the floors, tables, chairs, and menus?
• Did they upsell with an appetizer, side dish, or beverage?

For a retail store, the evaluation questions could look like:

• Were the window displays clean, fresh, and attractive?
• Was the merchandise attractively displayed?

Following the shoppers' visit, they will submit their receipt and grading form to the Brookings Chamber. The Brookings Chamber will compile the feedback and comments into one document for the business. A bill for the three visits will be sent to the business, totaling $45 or less; the Chamber will reimburse each shopper upon completion of the program