The ultimate incentive worked! Now onto phase two

Tete_en_l'Air

Birdie85 wrote: »

I said that the fries were limp, which they were but apparently that causes a problem because I was not totally complimentary!

But I thought that was the whole point of mystery shopping! I don't like the thought that they're watching what you do on CCTV either really. Hmmm, well we'll see. Obviously if a £30 meal reimbursement for my fave pub comes up or something that would be nice! (What if something comes up for somewhere you're sort of a regular anyway, where the staff know you? Is that allowed?) Sorry, questions questions!

Seems like everyone's waited til after three on Friday afternoon to call me and ask awkward questions :rolleyes: Don't they know I've got a dooyoo review to finish?!

Well done on the cheap sweeties Cinny - when I first read that post I thought you were saving up for an actual egg for a minute, I think I need a nap!

ETA - are these the HA people then Birdie? What's happening with that, have you decided just to accept it in the end?

Birdie85

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

But I thought that was the whole point of mystery shopping! I don't like the thought that they're watching what you do on CCTV either really. Hmmm, well we'll see. Obviously if a £30 meal reimbursement for my fave pub comes up or something that would be nice! (What if something comes up for somewhere you're sort of a regular anyway, where the staff know you? Is that allowed?) Sorry, questions questions!

I don't know about the 'being a regular' thing, I've only done a couple of burger jobs that have been crummy so I don't think I'll do any more! I thought the point of it was to say if it's no good too but they were really fussing saying, explain what was wrong, did you taste them straight away etc. I should have just lied and said it was all great!

ETA - are these the HA people then Birdie? What's happening with that, have you decided just to accept it in the end?

Not a clue what's happening, we're still waiting for the HA bloke to get in touch, he's about 3 weeks overdue! Typical council... We can't be bothered to move but I think it may be the best option. But then we'll have to rent and probably never manage to save up a deposit! The other girl in our block has found out that the HA tenants are paying £7 a week maintenance fees as opposed to our £750 a year so I have to check what we've 'pre-paid' as it were and try to get a refund as the HA have taken over the management.

Tete_en_l'Air

Augh, it's a mess isn't it? Just close your curtains tomorrow and shut them out!

Oh dear I appear to have impulse bought an ebay dress ... the devil makes work of idle hands indeed!

poddle911

Birdie85 wrote: »

Aww, thanks! I did say on my reply that I'm only 24 so 'thirties' was rather insulting!

I bet they think you're a right troublemaker now! :rotfl:You and your limp fries...

I don't like the fact that they can spy on you either! I've just accepted a bank one which might be quite useful as I'm looking for a new saver. We need to start putting some money away for South Africa. I don't know whether we should try to book flights now (on a 0% card) or wait until nearer the time - I tend to think that prices just go up unless you book them really last minute, but I'm not sure... Any ideas? Also any idea which website offers the best cashback? I know there are quite a few, but how do you choose?

Good on you for the cinema snacks, Cinny! The other week I (guiltily) smuggled in a huge bag of popcorn - it was 86p from Aldi and it was really nice! it was all like the really nice sweet bits you get in cinema popcorn, mmm

I've just been offered an interview at a publishing company - bl00dy hell, they're like buses!:rotfl:

Birdie85

I think the plan is to go and buy some blinds so we can at least shield our living room from their stares a little! I know it is natural to glance in a window when you walk past, but all day is annoying and they're walking on the grass right outside our patio doors when there is a path about 5ft away but they're too lazy to take the 'long' route!

wendz86

The new neighbours sound interesting Birdie, hope you manage to get the money back for maintanance.

Mystery shopping sounds a bit scary, not sure I would be cut out for it.

I smuggled two big bags of popcorn in last week (2 for 1.25 at morrissons), waited till it was dark and got them out hehe.

I am almost on 30,000 on dooyoo now, feel like it is getting close now to the payout.

Tete_en_l'Air

poddle911 wrote: »

I tend to think that prices just go up unless you book them really last minute, but I'm not sure... Any ideas? Also any idea which website offers the best cashback? I know there are quite a few, but how do you choose?

Ooh when do you go to SA? I'm having the same dilemma about booking NY flights, I keep reading on the NY boards something about a 'three month rule' but I don't know what it is - book no later than three months in advance? Or 3 months before is ideal time? Or only book within three months?

As for cashback I think it varies depending on the site and the company you're buying from. I always just use quidco because that's who I'm registered with.

Well done on the other interview!! Are you going to go?

ETA - well done on dooyoo Wendz, are you going for the cheque?

Birdie85

LOL, well done on the interview Poddle! I suppose good things come to those who wait, although it is annoying! Are you going to go just in case it's a better job/ more money?

poddle911

wendz86 wrote: »

I smuggled two big bags of popcorn in last week (2 for 1.25 at morrissons), waited till it was dark and got them out hehe

Right, so who's going to try and smuggle in 3 big bags of popcorn?!

Birdie, hopefully your new neighbours won't be as bad as they sound... Have you thought about randomly placing pots and gnomes and sharp things outside the patio doors to obstruct people?!

I don't think I will even go to this interview - although it's what I was doing (and enjoying) before it will be less money plus £4k travel costs a year and a horrible commute to the other side of London so I guess it's a no-brainer. Also, my current contract is only for 9 months so it's worth doing and if it doesn't get extended then hopefully I'll be able to return to publishing.

Woo, South Africa over new year is the plan! The wedding is on Jan 9th and I've already booked holiday until the 18th so we're pretty flexible. Ooh, I'm intrigued about the 3-month rule now!

wendz86

I had a big bag to hide that popcorn believe me hehe

I am going for the cheque tete, will help lots towards overdraft.

I haven't heard fo the three month rule, i think you might have to book more than three months in advance, not sure though. Wasn't like that when I went