The Mystery Shopping thread - part 5

stebiz

pink68 wrote: »

charming! :T it was actually part of my job to dissect the MS replies. I wasn't front line staff so it had no impact on customer service.

but when i do banks now i try and be as detached as i can be, which isnt always easy when i start to remember the stress the staff are under. but at the end of the day if the MS is a bad one then it at least gives the staff a chance to explain to their HO what they are up against. One of the bank ones i did in the summer involved the customers threatening the staff with a sit in if they didnt hurry up! there was only two staff and they were working flat out, poor things. :rolleyes:

I too actually felt very sorry for the staff on this assignment. Trying to juggle so many things at once.

Stebiz

learning_to_drive

Finished paternity leave today and having to take a day's holiday as we have had about 45 minutes sleep overnight, baby isnt well, she has a cold and wont settle at all.

So Im very very very tired!

Becles

Join the club! My little one has cold and has woken the last few nights which isn't like her and the whole house stinks of Olbas Oil! Now I'm all snotty this morning, so I think she has passed it on

Hope she feels better soon and you get some sleep.

red_fox

I am so annoyed. One of the MS companies have said that they no need me to work for a client and have cancelled all my scheduled assignment for that client this month! I understand why they need to rotate people but it so unfair when I planned my diary around them.

sinderella_2

Yes, this is an issue that comes up from time to time, Red Fox, and I think the consensus among shoppers is that if notice was given about withdrawals it would be ok, but otherwise is totally unfair.
Sometimes people have suggested that you contact the company concerned to remind them that you entered into a contract to carry out the work and as such expect to complete it and get paid and that you will accept notice that in future you are not required.
I don't know where you really stand on this, perhaps someone else will be along with some better advice?

Flyingbanana_3

teedy23 wrote: »

On the subject of no receipt jobs for drinks: If I do a drinks only job I usually take someone with me, you look way less suss that way, if I have to spend 40 mins in the location and buy two drinks, one from each list, I,m going to look a bit dodgy and they will know what I,m all about. So yes I will claim as near to the limit as I can, £5 for two people for 40 minutes isnt a great amount, I,m sure you,ll all agree.

But surely they know what the 2 drinks are going to be at the most ? Then again with cctv they will nab you.

Don't get me wrong i am not here to rip anyone off. I am just concerned @ the travelling costs with todays fuel prices. There is another drinks job 9 miles away. The fee is £5 & spen is £5. If the £5 fee is to cover 40mins on site & your travelling plus the half hour or so filling in the questionaire, i cannot see it worth while doing.

I just queried this as i am v v new to this & wanted to know if i was not filling in my expenses correctly.

cranezoe

Flyingbanana wrote: »

But surely they know what the 2 drinks are going to be at the most ? Then again with cctv they will nab you.

Don't get me wrong i am not here to rip anyone off. I am just concerned @ the travelling costs with todays fuel prices. There is another drinks job 9 miles away. The fee is £5 & spen is £5. If the £5 fee is to cover 40mins on site & your travelling plus the half hour or so filling in the questionaire, i cannot see it worth while doing.

I just queried this as i am v v new to this & wanted to know if i was not filling in my expenses correctly.

You learn pretty quickly with this MS lark! I've only been doing it 4 months now.
You might find that it really is not worth going miles out of your way to do one job that pays a small fee and reimbursement. I wouldn't do it. However there are a few ways to see it:
1) I work part time so if there is a job where I will get my lunch reimbursed and a small fee and I can do it in my break then I prob will as its not really out of my way and saves me paying for lunch.
2) I'm off today and so thought I would do some jobs. I have been booking them in for the last few weeks and travelled a 60 mile round trip and spent all morning out and know I will be spending tonight writing up reports... but earnt nearly £100, will be reimbursed for a top I bought, and had a couple of coffees along the way. even managed some window shopping!
It depends what you want to get out of it really.
I only ever claim for what I actually bought but will make choices that mean I can get as close to the max reimbursment as possible.

In other bits and pieces... Hi! I've not posted for a while. didnt have any jobs for over two weeks. still, I've done 4 today and have another couple lined up. then Im off on holiday for a week :j
Congratulations to LTD and Ellie on the new arrivals. LTD I hope you get some more sleep soon! And welcome back from your travels hollypear. Im glad you didnt go ahead and open the emergency door just for fun or by accident! well done there! :rotfl:

Flyingbanana_3

Thanks Cranezoe:T

pammy14

Can anyone help with the GFK test for the government agency job where you tell them you are a mystery shopper. Tried many times and the jobs tomorrow. Don't know where I am going wrong.

cranezoe

I have pm'd you pammy