The Mystery Shopping thread - part 6

johnny_c-l

shopper2009 wrote: »

Has anyone gone to do a job just before the time slot ends and walked in the shop and got served by someone who knows you.
If so did you:
A: Walk out and not complete the job.
B: Complete the job in a professional manner and send in the results.

What if when you go to pay for the item the person you know (but does not know you are a mystery shopper gives you staff discount)

Do you:
A: Refuse the discount and say that you wish to pay full price.
B: Take the discount and send the report in accuratly and on time but not mention the discount.
C: Do not send the report in and call the ms company and explainn that the jobs gone bottoms up.?

Easy - A&C; are you asking because you did B&B?

I have found previously that companies have been OK if it's just a simple purchase enquiry and I was able to observe the MOS with other customers. But I have always checked with the company.

Presuming the above is not hypothetical, I would bear in mind that when submitting the report you are obliged to be truthful and factual........which would surely involve the part where you receive staff discount.

ThinkingOfLinking

shopper2009 wrote: »

Has anyone gone to do a job just before the time slot ends and walked in the shop and got served by someone who knows you.
If so did you:
A: Walk out and not complete the job.
B: Complete the job in a professional manner and send in the results.

What if when you go to pay for the item the person you know (but does not know you are a mystery shopper gives you staff discount)

Do you:
A: Refuse the discount and say that you wish to pay full price.
B: Take the discount and send the report in accuratly and on time but not mention the discount.
C: Do not send the report in and call the ms company and explainn that the jobs gone bottoms up.?

YOu cannot shop somewhere you have previously worked (at least in the last 3 years) and especialy not one where you know the staff (eg they're friendly enough with you to give you discounts). YOu need to cancel this shop.

Becles

shopper2009 wrote: »

Has anyone gone to do a job just before the time slot ends and walked in the shop and got served by someone who knows you.
If so did you:
A: Walk out and not complete the job.
B: Complete the job in a professional manner and send in the results.

What if when you go to pay for the item the person you know (but does not know you are a mystery shopper gives you staff discount)

Do you:
A: Refuse the discount and say that you wish to pay full price.
B: Take the discount and send the report in accuratly and on time but not mention the discount.
C: Do not send the report in and call the ms company and explainn that the jobs gone bottoms up.?

I would do A&C.

I had this happen when I went to a shop without knowing that an old friend of my Mam's worked there. She was all over me, treating me like royalty, asking how my bairns were etc. Had to confess to the MS company what had happened and they were fine and said it wasn't fair to use the report as I'd been treat exceptionally well due to knowing the lady. They still let me shop that chain, just not that particular branch.

Also discovered on my last visit to a bank that the Mam of one of the boys in my son's class works there. I was served by someone else so she didn't see me, but I'll have to avoid picking up work for that branch now.

andrina_nightshade

Flickering_Ember wrote: »

You cannot shop somewhere you have previously worked (at least in the last 3 years) and especialy not one where you know the staff (eg they're friendly enough with you to give you discounts). You need to cancel this shop.

This brings me a question I've been meaning to ask. I used to work for one of the big banks in their call centre :eek: for about 2 months in 2006. Obviously, if a phone job came up for this client, I would be unable to do it, but what about a job in the actual branch? I've read the T & C for the MSing company but they don't mention anything that might help.

As a result, I've just been avoiding the jobs altogether, but the fee is very reasonable and there's a job been sitting untouched in my area for over a month. I'm going to email the company as soon as I find their queries address, but I was wondering if anyone here could give me some advice?

Many thanks

josie

andrina_nightshade wrote: »

This brings me a question I've been meaning to ask. I used to work for one of the big banks in their call centre :eek: for about 2 months in 2006. Obviously, if a phone job came up for this client, I would be unable to do it, but what about a job in the actual branch? I've read the T & C for the MSing company but they don't mention anything that might help.

As a result, I've just been avoiding the jobs altogether, but the fee is very reasonable and there's a job been sitting untouched in my area for over a month. I'm going to email the company as soon as I find their queries address, but I was wondering if anyone here could give me some advice?

Many thanks

No, you should be fine. It's only Gap from memory that actually asks if you've worked for a particular firm. With the others you should be ok, as long as you don't know anyone there.

Scaredy_Cat_3

josie wrote: »

No, you should be fine. It's only Gap from memory that actually asks if you've worked for a particular firm. With the others you should be ok, as long as you don't know anyone there.

Just a minor whinge... I asked GfK about a meal job in the canteen of a building where I used to work. I left 4 years ago... even when I did work there I worked evenings and never went to the canteen so no-one would know me there. Nevertheless GfK said I couldn't do the job.

That said, I wouldn't see any problem with MSing a branch of a bank if you used to work in the call centre. Branches are totally separate, as long as the staff there don't know you I can't see a problem. Mind you, that's just my opinion!

andrina_nightshade

Scaredy_Cat wrote: »

That said, I wouldn't see any problem with MSing a branch of a bank if you used to work in the call centre. Branches are totally separate, as long as the staff there don't know you I can't see a problem. Mind you, that's just my opinion!

Unfortunately, like you, the MSing company is GfK... I agree with your logic (maybe that's because it means more money for me ) but I don't think I'll risk it. Many thanks for all the advice though! :beer:

northern_rose_2

I'm looking to join one or two companies and wonder which people think are the best to use?

I live in Lancashire - do all the comanies have national jobs?

I appreciate your thoughts.

blindman

northern_rose wrote: »

I'm looking to join one or two companies and wonder which people think are the best to use?

I live in Lancashire - do all the comanies have national jobs?

I appreciate your thoughts.

Sign up to as many as you can. Pick and choose jobs that fit your priorites.

They all pay abysmal fees.

Very few have good 'perks' Mostly do not pay travel allowance.

One mans great MS is anothers nightmare.

The 'best' one maybe Optimum Contact. Good fees, some high paying ones, report not too bad.

Loolabell_2

Hi all, just a quick question, have done a few jobs with Aba-i and got paid the £10 voucher, thing is im doing a "catalougue store" and the incentive is £15, when is this normally paid, i am assuming it's cash for this one?!?!?

Cheers!