The Mystery Shopping thread - part 6

sinderella_2

Thanks Paul
yeah, the jobs I have for Sat, Sun and Mon are all in batches and they are the only reason I'm going to those places. I also agree that the reports get really boring and irritating!

Hmm time for a holiday, methinks!

sinderella_2

btw
I've noticed that our Timmne is not on here as much these days, wonder if your honeymoon holiday got you out of the swing of shopping, Timmne - are you still doing it?

paulherts

Yes not heard from him for a while, he might have found a life outside mystery shopping, if he has could be a beacon of hope for the rest of us!

ruthiejane

Wasn't Timme trying to pay for his wedding using MS profits? If so the incentive to MS may have gone.....

Chas

Ellie wrote: »

Hi all (again)

I am hoping someone can help me with TNS...

What should we enter for mileage claims? All of it? some of it? what basis do we use?

All help much appreciated.

Thanks All!
xx

I always claim the full amount, it's always been paid & never been queried.

On one occasion I had 3 jobs at stores on a retail park & claimed (& got paid) the full mileage allowance for all three.

sinderella_2

paulherts wrote: »

Yes not heard from him for a while, he might have found a life outside mystery shopping, if he has could be a beacon of hope for the rest of us!

the sad thing is we all probably need such a beacon of hope!

sinderella_2

Chas wrote: »

I always claim the full amount, it's always been paid & never been queried.

On one occasion I had 3 jobs at stores on a retail park & claimed (& got paid) the full mileage allowance for all three.

Yes, I thought that was the general protocol:D

Chris357

Yes, RE are really taking the michael now. The only people interested in such jobs would be illegal immigrants and under aged children. These companies are happy to break the law in all sorts of ways including the minimum wage, sex discrimination and age discrimination. It's about time the authorities cracked down on them with some hefty fines. And it's not only RE. TNS are heavily in to sex and age discrimination.

BP56134

bobthego wrote: »

Can anyone tell me if on the OC scorecards, I should fill in every comment or just if it's something unusual/etc?
TIA

Assuming it is the stock check job again, they only want comments for missing items. I'm surprised that people have had to take so much time and trouble over this job - even on my first one not knowing the layout of the store it took me 45 minutes, plus 10 minutes with the manager, which I don't think is bad for the fee. The report took no time at all, as the majority of items were in stock so needed nothing more than a tick. Please, if anyone is in my area and doesn't like the job - leave it for me!

Also with RE, I can't complain about the fees - I have always had a policy of not accepting jobs that I know won't pay beyond expenses, but have always found lots of others with them. Today 3 phone calls, and 2 identical visits 2 miles from home. How is that so bad?

And now the new style site is up and running (for now) I like it much better, as I have 4 areas round the country I visit regularly. They now show up automatically with the surrounding area up to 50 miles. Before I had to do 5 searches just to cover my home area up to a 25 mile radius. I guess it depends where you live which method works for you.

PS I'm not miffed off at others insulting them by the way, Hollypear (as if we could be with you) - as I say what works in my area may not work for others. I can pick and choose jobs that pay well for me with them.
Personally I have found the much praised Blue apple and their associates useless - I registered over a year ago with them and haven't been offered 1 job...

MikeLB

Chris357 wrote: »

It's about time the authorities cracked down on them with some hefty fines. And it's not only RE. TNS are heavily in to sex and age discrimination.

The point is that Clients requires specific people to do certain jobs in as realistic a way as possiblee and in the world Mystery Shopping, thats the way it is otherwise half the jobs we do would not be possible. Female shoppers are more likely to stand out say in a going for a quote to buy a lorry than males, in the same way males in lady's clothing would stand out a mile off! If clients need alochol sales checked by under 21's, then as a 28 year old it defeats the point me doing the assignment. I dont think it is unreasonable that the ask for Male or Female mystery shoppers for some assignments and think your comment shows you dont actually understand the point of Mystery Shopping - its not a free for all to bring you freebies - it does have some serious points for Clients not just in terms of service but also for legal checks for example! Its not TNS etc who dictate the restrictions its the Clients who need to jobs done.

Talk of age discrimination and sex discrimination is just plain stupid.