The Mystery Shopping thread - VII

minniepoos_2

Hi, I've applied for a 6 car circuit for this Saturday on B[EMAIL="B@#%"]@#%[/EMAIL] but it's been a few days and still just shows as pending. Does anyone know how long this normally takes, just I wanted to have a good while to prepare first (I've never done car jobs before). Also, there has been some other jobs which I've now missed as I daren't accept them, in case I get the cars!

Sorry to ask stupid questions, but this is all pretty new to me

whitelabel

Loolabell wrote: »

Just a quick question has anyone else signed up to the "Phone calls" on OC on behalf of the banks??? think they are called "bulk Surveys"?

Thanks,

yes i have.. done quite a few calls..business and residential

minniepoos wrote: »

Hi, I've applied for a 6 car circuit for this Saturday on B@#% but it's been a few days and still just shows as pending. Does anyone know how long this normally takes, just I wanted to have a good while to prepare first (I've never done car jobs before). Also, there has been some other jobs which I've now missed as I daren't accept them, in case I get the cars!

Sorry to ask stupid questions, but this is all pretty new to me

no such thing as stupid questions... only stupid answers,
the bear system is a bit annoying. i applied to four car areas, didn't hear anything then had a phone call offering me one, then a second. they are both still showing as pending on my job board yet i have completed them and had them marked. i wouldn't rely on getting them, and apply to other jobs too.

re the gap stamp jobs

have they ballsed up the job by sending me the wrong form for change of address scenario. or is that part of the scenario too.? the brief says complete the change of address form.. but they have sent a application for new

im doing 2 scenarios, and got the same form for both ?

missy_sarah

The clothes shops went really fast on RE. Ive seen them before go that fast and wouldnt want to accept one with the payment offered.

Im not usually picky but I dont want to be out of pocket only any good if you was going to buy something there.

scubaangel

I was surprised by how fast they went too - did one last month because I needed some new clothes but wouldnt have bothered otherwise. Still lacking many jobs for the next couple of weeks though, got a few for small fees in early april - luckily places I would normally be passing through but could do with a few more to pad it out.

red_fox

Hi

Can someone please PM me with a contact email address for Abai

whitelabel

red_fox wrote: »

Hi

Can someone please PM me with a contact email address for Abai

ABAi@abaresearch.co.uk is their standard one

gallygirl

minniepoos wrote: »

Hi, I've applied for a 6 car circuit for this Saturday on B@#% but it's been a few days and still just shows as pending. Does anyone know how long this normally takes, just I wanted to have a good while to prepare first (I've never done car jobs before). Also, there has been some other jobs which I've now missed as I daren't accept them, in case I get the cars!

Sorry to ask stupid questions, but this is all pretty new to me

They will phone you if you are successful. The first time I applied (last year) they phoned me pretty quick. This time they took several weeks. When they phoned I told them I had assumed I hadn't got them and had made other plans - I could still do the job but a week later. This was OK with them.

TBH, although they pay well as a company it does annoy me how they operate. We're not all sitting at home waiting for them to ring us - we do have other commitments :mad:. And jobs you haven't got will stay as pending even although job has finished.

I found this lot of shops much easier than last time as I came up with a strategy. I looked on the car websites and picked one or two features where the spec differed from others in the range, e.g. all leather seats, heated seats, parking sensors as standard. This made it easier to talk about it as if you knew what you were talking about . Also, as I was shopping 30-40k cars :eek: I developed a 'life story' to fit. Hope this helps & you are successful.

gallygirl

I've only just discovered this thread & found it really useful, especially the 1st post. A few silly questions:
I have registered as self employed. I assume when I fill in tax return that I lump all companies together - I don't have to do different self-employed returns for each company?
Can I really charge all mileage at 40p? I had been using 25p previously. I also claim mileage at 45p for 1st 4,000 miles and 25p for the rest in my 'proper job' - I assume this is totally separate? Doing this (along with printing at 6p a sheet - never thought of claiming this - thanks :T) means my taxable profit from £700+ fees is only £69. Does this seem about right?
Do I declare income due for tax year or income received for tax year?

Many thanks in advance. Off to do a banking job enquiring about a business account - hmmm, could I use mystery shopping as my mythical business or would they be suspicious :rotfl:.

mezer3000

I've got to do a supermarket shop today, where part of the reimbursement is groceries. My questionnaire and briefing does not list that I need to buy anything specific. Has anyone done one of these - do you know if you can just buy anything up to the value of the reimbursement?

jobbingmusician

gallygirl wrote: »

I've only just discovered this thread & found it really useful, especially the 1st post. A few silly questions:
1. I have registered as self employed. I assume when I fill in tax return that I lump all companies together - I don't have to do different self-employed returns for each company?
2. Can I really charge all mileage at 40p? I had been using 25p previously. I also claim mileage at 45p for 1st 4,000 miles and 25p for the rest in my 'proper job' - I assume this is totally separate? Doing this (along with printing at 6p a sheet - never thought of claiming this - thanks :T) means my taxable profit from £700+ fees is only £69. Does this seem about right?
3. Do I declare income due for tax year or income received for tax year?

Many thanks in advance. Off to do a banking job enquiring about a business account - hmmm, could I use mystery shopping as my mythical business or would they be suspicious :rotfl:.

I have numbered your questions. In answer

1. Yes, you lump them all together for the purposes of your tax return (but keep your records just in case they want further details.

2.. Yes, 40p for car under about 1.2cc. For larger cars, look on the IR website. This also means that if people like TNS pay you travel, you should ensure it covers your mileage (they calculate at 22p a mile IIRC) and claim any underpayments.

3. You declare total turnover and profit - does that answer your question?

HTH _ JM