The Mystery Shopping thread - part 6

woohoo_postingid

The Bare ones have disappeared on mine now :T

Maybe they'll get the message that no-one is prepared to do that amount of work for such a small fee and then wait 3 months to get paid!

owlet

tizzy79 wrote: »

I am not 100% sure, as I only do these on my own, but I have PM'd part of a email that was sent to shoppers a month or so ago and I hpe that helps.

Thanks Tizzy, have pm'd reply. As far as I can see it is ok for this job

skywalker83

hi does anyone know of mystery shopping on the euro star please?

Scaredy_Cat_3

Sassy_Samantha16 wrote: »

What is the best company to work for?

How does it all work?

Your best bet is to register with those companies listed in the first post. If you only want to register with a couple at first, that's up to you but I found some didn't offer me any work for months - so it's probably best to register with the lot. Once you have been accepted you will get access to the list of jobs on their website. Then you only need accept the ones that appeal to you - so you won't get loads of jobs forced on you, just take it steady and work at your own pace.

Once you see an assignment you like, you apply via the website, they will send you the assignment notes so you know exactly what you have to do. Then you complete the assignment, go home and input your report online.

You won't make your fortune doing this - the amount of time you need to put in (preparation, doing the job, and then the report) generally means you earn less than minimum wage, but it is a useful way of earning a few quid if you can't get a 'proper' job (like me ), although some people do work full time and just do this for a bit extra.

As for which companies are the best, you really have to try them and decide for yourself. If you read these threads you will see that some people love company A, while others can't stand them and swear by company B. It's down to personal taste.

Oh and before I forget, you have to register as self-employed with the Tax Man.

Scaredy_Cat_3

Tizzy and Fabsaver, thanks for your comments on why I'm not seeing many Gap jobs lately. You're right, their systems really are a puzzle!

matthewluck

Hi Everyone

I have not kept any receipts for my mystery shopping - will this be a big problem when it comes to tax?. I do have my statements showing expenses from the MS company. Do the Inland revenue expect to see these receipts?

Matthew

Dizzie77

Yippee!! I've just accepted my 4th (and 5th!) jobs this month for RE - which means that I get entered into their competition now..!! yey!!

I just wish that they would have a way of refusing jobs if you don't want to do them - instead of them lingering on your home page until someone else does them or they go out of date...!!
Don't mind doing local sandwich shops, but I'm not driving 25 miles to do one!!

fabsaver

matthewluck wrote: »

Hi Everyone

I have not kept any receipts for my mystery shopping - will this be a big problem when it comes to tax?. I do have my statements showing expenses from the MS company. Do the Inland revenue expect to see these receipts?

Matthew

You should keep the receipts to support the information you put on your tax return. It is unlikely that the Inland Revenue will ask to see them but it is possible. It is also possible that the MS company may ask to see them. I think (someone will correct me if I am wrong) that you are supposed to keep records for 6 years:eek:

paulherts

Scaredy

Going back to Gap, they gradually reduce the clients you are eligible to work for, they must have a number of shops criteria I suppose.

I have been barred from doing most of their clients even though I was described by Gap as one of their best shoppers. I don't work for them anymore unless one of the remaining jobs fits in with other work.

They really are an awful company and as I understand it are losing clients to better MS companies.

Regards Paul

Scaredy_Cat_3

paulherts wrote: »

Scaredy

Going back to Gap, they gradually reduce the clients you are eligible to work for, they must have a number of shops criteria I suppose.

I have been barred from doing most of their clients even though I was described by Gap as one of their best shoppers. I don't work for them anymore unless one of the remaining jobs fits in with other work.

They really are an awful company and as I understand it are losing clients to better MS companies.

Regards Paul

I've only been registered with them a few months - would they reduce the list this soon? I'm already barred from the burgers... in fact I think I've only ever done jobs for 3 clients. I did have the option of the phone shops a while ago but never took any of the jobs. Now they don't even show up. Have to admit they are not my favourite company so I'm not overly bothered, but sometimes I think it might be worth adding in one of their jobs if I'm going to town anyway.