The Mystery Shopping thread - VIII

duchy

It wasn't excessively complicated. My big problem with phone shops at the moment is I've fallen in love with a particular phone and it's getting harder to resist everytime I do a phone shop. I can even justify it on business grounds as it has free email and web so might even be useful for picking up extra jobs. Temptation is a terrible thing

(It's the Blackberry Storm btw)

IlonaRN

I found the ABA-i phone shop very straightforward, as was the questionnaire. I had no problems with either, and wish there were more available close to me!

aplaceinthesun

angel13 wrote: »

good im not looking forward to mine. i have only got one but if they use the same scenario/criterion for all im sure everyone could work out who we are which makes the whole exercise pointless.

I am sure they are all the same scenario , I personally cant see how everyone could work out who we are as it is a regular and general enquiry ....

aplaceinthesun

cte1111 wrote: »

Re the Abai phone shops, I found the visits fine, but the questionnaire difficult to use, and there were a few bugs in it, but still worth doing for the fee. Shame I can't do any more, looks like we are limited to 3 in total. All 3 I did were on the first wave, but it won't even let me see the second wave.

Abai rung me about one of my reports yesterday and apologised about the problem with the drop down boxes , we went thru them and she filled them in over the phone . Not sure if they are doing this with all of them as I only got asked about one of mine...

nads

This is very much off topic but I wonder if folks would be kind enough to provide some advice since I know you folks very well!


As some folks might know I don't have a full time job at the moment and I've been offered a 2-3 month contract job about 30 miles away.

I'm in two minds about taking it as I worked there before and it was alright and the rate I'm being offered is the same as the last time and I've got to sort out a car for travel too as I don't have one at present. What's really annoying me more is the attitude of the employment agency who I think are lieing about the rate being offered and also that the agency has been constantly ringing me to go and sign the contract. We had a 15-20 conversation on Wed where he just wouldn't let me go until I accepted but I requested a night think about it. Yesterday he called me and I told him I would accept it and then I received about 14 missed calls yesterday which who knows what it's about but it's jsut really annoying me.

Today I've just received an email saying to get in touch with them urgently as they fear they may have lsot the contract. I'm not sure if it's to tell me I've lost the contract or that if I don't do some paperwork right now then they will lose the contract.

I know it's alot to read but if you managed it this far then thank you! I just don't know what to do? Should I accept it and be the end of it or should I tell him shove of because the attitude of that staff member stinks. I could do with the money but the temporary nature of the job and the location, I wonder if I should decline it?

woohoo_postingid

Why not have a chat with the Manager of the agency? Chances are, with the job market being so poor at the moment, the agencies are so keen to get people signed up in order to save their own job. Doesn't excuse the attitude though.

My advice: Don't cut off your nose to spite your face - If you need the job, take it

Dinah93

Take the job. The money is always useful and 30 miles isn't awful. I work 28 miles from my home and have done that journey 5 days a week for nearly 3 years. I do agree you should call and speak to the manager however, the company may be desperate to get the fee for finding someone for the job, but it doesn't excuse them badgering you.

ukmonkey

what woohoo_postingid said^^^

Depends on how much you need the job really. If you tell them to shove it, perhaps they'll not offer you anymore work in the future? I mean, there's plenty of people out of work atm so they could afford to be picky i guess...

duchy

You asked for a night to think about it-the agency are probably getting hassled by the company for a definite as I'm sure in the current job market there are other agencies after the contract too.
The fact you're ignoring their calls (14 missed calls ??) and avoiding them is giving them the message you might be mucking them about.
A job is a job-if you want it then take it-if you don't then put them out of their misery.
If the rate is the same as the last time-you're doing well-lots of companies are actually reducing rates atm cos they know they can get away with it.

mharzuk

nads wrote: »

This is very much off topic but I wonder if folks would be kind enough to provide some advice since I know you folks very well!


As some folks might know I don't have a full time job at the moment and I've been offered a 2-3 month contract job about 30 miles away.

People always tell me I am a lucky person because 'things fall in my lap'. I don't think this is true its just that I put myself in the way of opportunities.
I have friends who are unemployed and seem to think that a dream job will come and hunt them out! The way I see it if you put yourself out there you never know what other opportunities it will throw your way.
IMO if you are having problems with the agency then probably the employer is too, this might be the opportunity for a foot in the door and once this has happened the agency services could be bypassed the next time, perhaps by offering some kind of ad hoc contract or even suggesting you invoice them as a self employed contracter in the future so they don't have to pay the agency fees. You are already self employed so that might be an attractive option for the employer.