The Mystery Shopping thread - part 6

daydreambeliever_3

Ca-ca wrote: »

Just a quick query. Many of my MS assignments are near to my workplace, so I go there on foot from work but still travel from home to work by train. I know I can't use my train fare towards my tax return (!!), but does anyone know if you can claim a mileage fee for walking?!

I know it's no help to you but when I went on one of those courses to help with tax returns I was surprised by the mileage allowances. It's 40p a mile for a car, but a bicycle is either the same or more! I can't remember which but I commented on it as a bike is next to nothing to run and the man said they're trying to encourage people to be green.

tirlittan

But how do people know if you're using a cycle or walking? Is there a minimum limit that you need to be able to claim mileage by cycling?

scubaangel

Just a quick query, I've been MS'ing for RE for a few weeks now but noticed today that my status has gone back to probationary - anyone got any ideas why that might have happened?

johnny_c-l

daydreambeliever wrote: »

I know it's no help to you but when I went on one of those courses to help with tax returns I was surprised by the mileage allowances. It's 40p a mile for a car, but a bicycle is either the same or more! I can't remember which but I commented on it as a bike is next to nothing to run and the man said they're trying to encourage people to be green.

I thought it was 20p/mi for bicycles?....I hope it has gone up!

ABAi are looking for more MS'ers for "it's not just any mystery shop, this is a [client] mystery shop" stores.
If anyone wants the link, PM me. And if you're good kind enough to name me as a referal, I get a gift card and you get a big thank you from me!

Cherry_pie_5

scubaangel wrote: »

Just a quick query, I've been MS'ing for RE for a few weeks now but noticed today that my status has gone back to probationary - anyone got any ideas why that might have happened?

Have you released a lot of jobs? I had a conversation with a girl from the RE office last week and she told me that if a lot of jobs are released or if assignments are late in completion then status would change back to probationary. Might just be a glitch on their system though, might be worth giving them a call.

ellie9ellie

Timmne wrote: »

Do you mean they'll say "Have a meal on us" or invite you to have a free meal at one of their "restaurant" clients, enticing you to do a job you wouldn't do for five times the fee? :rotfl: :eek:

Did have a burger after all - went to the Gourmet Burger Kitchen - that's what a burger should be like - I won't need to eat for the next 2 weeks (and I used the BOGOF voucher from MSE - aren't I good!!!). DD wants Pizza for tea - not sure I have room lol

scubaangel

Cherry_pie wrote: »

Have you released a lot of jobs? I had a conversation with a girl from the RE office last week and she told me that if a lot of jobs are released or if assignments are late in completion then status would change back to probationary. Might just be a glitch on their system though, might be worth giving them a call.

That might be it had to release one earlier this week, I'll leave it until after Ive done my next one and see what happens.

brryssn

ellie9ellie wrote: »

Did have a burger after all - went to the Gourmet Burger Kitchen - that's what a burger should be like - I won't need to eat for the next 2 weeks (and I used the BOGOF voucher from MSE - aren't I good!!!). DD wants Pizza for tea - not sure I have room lol

Happy Birthday Ellie!

I could just eat one of those burgers now - you're right, that's what they should taste like! Apart from my own of course.................!:D

owlet

ellie9ellie wrote: »

Did have a burger after all - went to the Gourmet Burger Kitchen - that's what a burger should be like - I won't need to eat for the next 2 weeks (and I used the BOGOF voucher from MSE - aren't I good!!!). DD wants Pizza for tea - not sure I have room lol

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ellie! Glad you had a good time. I've forgotten what a decent burger tastes like - I've never eaten so many c**p ones in my life lol.

me_and

Flickering_Ember wrote: »

BUt I still don't get precisely why RE makes us choose specific meals on some assignments.

I always figure it's what the venue gets most of their money from, so they want to make sure the quality's up to scratch...

daydreambeliever wrote: »

It's 40p a mile for a car, but a bicycle is either the same or more!

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/BIM47702.htm gives it as 20p per mile, as I think someone already stated. There's more info at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/BIM47701.htm.