The Mystery Shopping thread - part 5

Noctu

Sorry to sound thick, but.. the supermarket jobs on TNS - how are you supposed to know exactly what to buy? There's a "shopping list" they give you.. but it includes loads of items. Am I supposed to just buy the ones mentioned on the report?

I feel a bit stupid asking it now but it's not made clear on the brief!

ruthiejane

Noctu wrote: »

Sorry to sound thick, but.. the supermarket jobs on TNS - how are you supposed to know exactly what to buy? There's a "shopping list" they give you.. but it includes loads of items. Am I supposed to just buy the ones mentioned on the report?

I feel a bit stupid asking it now but it's not made clear on the brief!

You can buy anything you like - unless the brief has changed dramatically from when I last did one of these jobs (last month). The "shopping list" is reminders of things you need to check or ask.

jobbingmusician

In the smaller, 'fast' supermarkets, you can buy whatever you like as long as you buy a bulky item and spend between £3-£10 (you will only be reimbursed £3).

I haven't done a larger one for ages, but IIRC you can buy anything, but sometimes you have to buy something at a specialist counter - for example, at the deli or fresh meat counter, and ask a special question. Other times you just have to lurk around the counter until acknowledged and then ask a question.

HTH! - JM

Scaredy_Cat_3

Noctu, have you just got your brief? I was about to post a question myself - I've got a competitor supermarket job to do for TNS and it's my first ever TNS job so I don't know their systems. I don't like the fact that I was allocated the job weeks ago but only found out what I have to do today.

I'm still reading through the brief, but it seems to me they want an awful lot done for quite a small fee. Is it as bad as it looks? Any advice would be appreciated if anyone has done the competitor jobs before.

Noctu

Scaredy_Cat wrote: »

Noctu, have you just got your brief? I was about to post a question myself - I've got a competitor supermarket job to do for TNS and it's my first ever TNS job so I don't know their systems. I don't like the fact that I was allocated the job weeks ago but only found out what I have to do today.

I'm still reading through the brief, but it seems to me they want an awful lot done for quite a small fee. Is it as bad as it looks? Any advice would be appreciated if anyone has done the competitor jobs before.

Hiya,

Yep just had it today, and signed up for it ages ago. Sounds like the same type of job. You and I are in the same boat!!

I have to ask about fish at the fish counter IIRC so I guess it'll be fish for dinner that night

Scaredy_Cat_3

That's one thing I HATE about the shop I have to do - you can smell the fish counter for miles (well, not literally, but for quite a distance). I'm a veggie and really hate the smell. I think I only have to ask where it's from but it will be tough not screwing up my face in disgust!

sinderella_2

good luck with the fishy jobs you guys and get better soon cookinmummy.

Scaredy - a veggie would possibly buy fish for other half or children etc - so don't worry if you look less than keen!

Scaredy_Cat_3

Thanks Sinderella!

Can I just ask how the rest of you are interpreting the telephone call jobs on TNS? It's hard to know what you can accept when they don't give the full details until closer to the job date - but I'm guessing we will be calling regarding a relative, so the place we call doesn't necessarily need to be close by?

Secondly, it says if you receive brochures as a result of an 'office hours' call then it has to be posted back to TNS. So does that mean if you call on a weekend, you don't have to send them back? And will they reimburse us the postage costs?

princess_leia_3

With TNS, the last wave of calls was just enquiring about a place for a relative so you don't need to live nearby. I took it that if you got any brochures you need to return them and they usually give you a freepost address!
HTH

Scaredy_Cat_3

Thanks Princess Leia - that's really helpful to know.