The Mystery Shopping thread - part 6

Becles

Tern are lovely. I've worked for them for years. Used to do a lot for them when they paid mileage, but don't do as much now since they changed to a flat fee per job.

Did you register on Tern's Sassie system? The jobs are posted on there and you get an email when work is available.

I think I had to do a no fee job for them just to prove I was suitable. They'll just want to make sure you can do the job and write reports to a decent standard of written English. It's a proof reader's nightmare to get a report with millions of grammar and spelling mistakes in!

I've done test assignments with no fee's for other companies just to show I was able. I did one for Optimum and I think I did one for Storecheckers.

I wouldn't go out of my way to do a test assignment, but if you can slot it in when you're in the area anyway, it's not really taking up that much of your time.

Timmne

I've actually said it a lot that companies should do this sort of thing to weed out those who are just in it for the freebies. Those who want to get into MSing would do the free job. Unfortunately, in the current climate of crappy fees, there doesn't seem any point going out of ones way to get in with a company which is likely to be rubbish once in.

Scaredy_Cat_3

Timmne wrote: »

I've actually said it a lot that companies should do this sort of thing to weed out those who are just in it for the freebies. Those who want to get into MSing would do the free job. Unfortunately, in the current climate of crappy fees, there doesn't seem any point going out of ones way to get in with a company which is likely to be rubbish once in.

Timmne, I trust you aren't including me in that I'm not in it for the freebies (what freebies???). I'm in it to earn a few quid to help pay the bills. I am treating this as a legitimate profession, and take my assignments and reports very seriously.

That said, I actually agree with you, and was surprised at all the companies who did just take me on and let me do assignments with no prior experience. But since all the others took me on, it feels like Tern are being deliberately obtuse, if you see what I mean.

Thanks to all of you for the advice. Maybe I'll have a look and see if I can fit the job in when I'm doing something else. But, are they worth joining? Do they have much decent work?

Becles, yes I think I did register on the Sassie system. I've heard nothing, and thought I had to wait to be accepted.

Scaredy_Cat_3

flyer wrote: »

It's a "mock" assignment and very easy to complete.

'Mock' in the sense that you don't get paid - but obviously it will require the same amount of preparation and detail as a normal report.

xxvickixx

I applied for Tern and have been asked to do the same assignment. I was debating whether or not to do it, or even if it would be OK to make it up so I don't have to pay for petrol and parking not to mention time. I was thinking I could just write the kind of observations I would make etc. Still haven't decided what to do. Is Tern worth the effort???

Timmne

Scaredy_Cat wrote: »

Timmne, I trust you aren't including me in that

Nooooooo!

I'm genuinely talking about the ones who log on, register, get paid a fiver for a burger and then complain it wasn't as well paid/easy as they thought it'd be!

Scaredy_Cat_3

Timmne wrote: »

Nooooooo!

I'm genuinely talking about the ones who log on, register, get paid a fiver for a burger and then complain it wasn't as well paid/easy as they thought it'd be!

Never done a burger job! My favourites are the bank jobs.

I just like wearing the stocking over my face :rotfl:

But I know what you mean!

Scaredy_Cat_3

xxvickixx wrote: »

I applied for Tern and have been asked to do the same assignment. I was debating whether or not to do it, or even if it would be OK to make it up so I don't have to pay for petrol and parking not to mention time. I was thinking I could just write the kind of observations I would make etc. Still haven't decided what to do. Is Tern worth the effort???

Like Vicki, I'd also like to know if it's worth the effort to get on their books. Can anyone please hint at what kind of jobs they have... shops, banks etc (or PM me if you prefer). Do they have much work available in the north east? And are the fees reasonable?

PS Vicki, I wouldn't recommend making it up! If it's worth doing the job at all then it's worth doing it right! I haven't even looked at the brief yet, but if I do decide to go ahead I'll just try and arrange it for when I'm going to be in town anyway.

xxvickixx

Thanks Scaredy, I have read the brief and it does seem straightforward and doesn't get you to do anything crazy!
Think I will pop in when I'm in town anyway, I'm guessing that for a mock assignment I can take my baby lol and for the piece of mind that doing it properly will bring it will be worth it.
Does anyone who does work for Tern have any info on the types of jobs/fees and where the jobs tend to be, I'm in Essex btw.

pebblespop

i was just sorting out my mystery shopping records and was surprised to find i have made £308.50 in fees and £562.68 in 'free stuff' since my first job at the end of october 2008. these have mainly been from g p and re.

just thought newbies might like to see the earnings potential.

p.s. i work full time so can only do jobs in evenings/weekends.