Secret Shop

A Striiiiike of Mystery: My Covert Bowling Alley Mystery Shop Adventure 🎳🕵️‍♀️

Ah, mystery shopping — the perfect blend of detective work, free entertainment, and the occasional awkward encounter. One evening, my assignment led me to a bustling local bowling alley where my goal was to evaluate the staff, service, and overall experience. But this wasn't just any shop — I had to covertly record interactions with the employees. Oh yes, stealth mode activated!

Let me set the scene:

It was a typical Friday night, and the bowling alley buzzed with a mix of strikes, spares, gutter balls, and the occasional frustrated groan. Families, teens, and league regulars filled the lanes. I walked in, my cover story ready to roll. I was just another bowler out for some fun. In reality, I was on a mission.

Step One: The Approach
I made my way to the counter to rent some shoes — oversized, slightly worn, and surprisingly funky-smelling. The attendant, a guy named Chris, greeted me with a grin that was either genuinely friendly or part of his customer service script. My tiny hidden recorder was on, capturing every word and smile.

Chris handed me my shoes, asking if I needed anything else. I mentally filed away his attentiveness for my report. Did he upsell snacks? No. Did he inform me about ongoing promotions? Nope. Missed opportunity, Chris! I thanked him, pretending not to notice how my heart pounded as I mentally prayed that my recorder wouldn’t fall out of my pocket. Imagine the scene if that happened: “Ma’am, why are you recording me?” — Game Over.

Step Two: The Lane Setup
I approached my assigned lane and booted up the control panel. The last time I bowled, bumpers were still an acceptable option (I won’t say how long ago that was). My goal was to evaluate the lane conditions, cleanliness, and whether staff were around to help with any technical hiccups. I secretly recorded my observations while pretending to text. Oh, the things we do for mystery shopping.

Step Three: Snack Time Sabotage
The real fun began at the snack bar. My stomach rumbled as I eyed the cheesy nachos and onion rings. The assignment required me to order food and subtly evaluate the cashier’s behavior. Would they suggest combo deals? Would my order come out quickly? And most importantly, would they notice my shaky hands as I very discreetly filmed my tray?

The cashier, a young woman named Jess, took my order efficiently, but no upsell. Strike two for the sales opportunities, but a win for my hunger. I balanced my greasy snacks in one hand and my phone in the other, trying not to spill melted cheese on my recorder.

Step Four: A Little Drama in the Lanes
Just as I settled in, someone in the neighboring lane had a “bowling meltdown.” Their ball got stuck, they threw their hands in the air, and Chris (remember him?) swooped in to save the day. This was the perfect moment to capture some customer service in action. I casually angled my phone and whispered into my recorder: “Staff responsiveness — check!”

Final Strike: The Great Escape
After an hour of borderline embarrassing bowling (let’s just say I won’t be joining a league anytime soon), I returned my shoes, thanked Chris, and exited stage left. My recorder was still in place — a silent witness to my night of sneaky evaluations.

Once safely in my car, I let out a deep breath and reviewed my notes. The staff were friendly but missed a few opportunities for upselling and proactive service. The environment was fun, though, and hey — I had a free night of bowling, nachos, and undercover thrills!

Another mystery shop in the bag. 🕵️‍♀️🎳 The life of a mystery shopper isn’t always glamorous, but it sure is entertaining.

If this is something you think you can do Click Here and join our team. Tell us in the comments why you think you would be a great Mystery Shopper.