The Mystery Shopping thread - part 5

princess_leia_3

They do look good, Bt can't seem to find how to join! But then my right eye is being very fuzzy today LOL
Edit - found it now - couldn't see it properly

Peridot1

Hi I have signed up for eDigital Research as I emystery shopper and I just wondered if anyone has worked for them, what are like? the fees look pretty good.

I got a call GFK yesterday asking if I could do a job in the next town, I had to say no as they wanted it done in the next couple of days, the guy on the phone did not sound to happy that I couldnt do it. Will this go against me? I really like working for this company and I am now feeling really guilty.

Cheers Perdiotx

ruthiejane

I work for edigitalresearch and have always found them very good. The reports are detailed, but as you say the fees are good.

I turned GFK down too, don't feel guilty.

Timmne

One point about GFK is that if they're desperate, they will up the fee quite considerably - just negotiate!

ruthiejane

Timne doesn't matter how much they pay if they need the job doing while I'm at my full time job!!

Timmne

I'd be sick for £500 - I'm fickle (something tells me £500 wouldn't be available though somehow!)

Becles

I think the MS industry has changed a lot over the last couple of years due to various market forces. The economy in general is going through a rough patch and business are looking to cut costs, when ultimately hits us in the pocket through lower fees and/or lower spends.

As an example, a few years back a store where an enquiry takes about 20-30 minutes was paying £25 plus mileage and car parking (no spend as you don't have to buy the item). I've seen the fee get smaller and the expenses removed until today it's paying £10 all in fee. I used to cover from Newcastle down to Darlington and Teesside areas, and do a route of calls with a few stores per day. Now I just pick up the odd local job if I happen to be there for someone else.

When I first started MS work, some companies didn't even have an internet presence. Some results were taken over the telephone or by handwritten reports sent in the post. I've seen huge technological improvements over my time, with companies building their own systems or using systems like Sassie and dealing with work electronically. An internet presence means they are more likely to be found by shoppers who apply for work.

With the current "credit crunch" climate, many people are looking for a additional income to make ends meet. When I started, I'd never read much about MS work, but now it's plastered all over the place. There are now a few dedicated forums out there, newspaper and magazine articles promote it as an easy way to make a few bob, ebooks on ebay, and things like this thread have got people jumping on the bandwagon (no offence guys!). There certainly is a much larger pool of shoppers out there and I've found I don't get much work from "fastest finger first" type companies these days. For example, in the past I was making a decent income from Gap jobs, but I hardly get any in my area these days. I get most work from companies where I have a long standing relationship with them, and work is offered to their fave people first.

Becles

I've complained about the job that went wrong and I've been told I'm not being paid. I'm not working for them again.

Jennyp_2

That is awful Becles, they should at least pay you for your efforts. What is the point if they do not accept the work you have put in.

Maybe they only accept reports that make the companies look good?

Jenny P x

Timmne

So essentially, you gave them one of the most valuable reports they could hope for (and the client would agree) and they think you're making it up?!!

Something tells me they don't want to have to give this report back to their client as they'll get questions from them that they might have to deal with. They'd prefer to send another shopper in (at this point they'll still only pay 1 person) and get a good report (I mean in content, not the quality!), from someone who acted like a lemming and gives all the answers they need.

Grrrr