The Mystery Shopping thread - VIII

82much

Timmne

I think probably that as a lot of us don't see nationwide we put what we can see. I have put one on where it is only a couple of shops listed if I have seen them for a while and not taken, as I felt I was 'giving a bit back' for when I have seen alerts myself. I also thought that if there were shops showing in one area that maybe there would also be some elsewhere. HTH

If I'm wrong in posting please tell me and I won't put any more in - no offence taken.

fabsaver

Timmne wrote: »

Does anyone else feel that the alerts thread is a little too busy with "a retail shop in the outer hebridies" type alerts?

I thought the original aim for the thread was a bit more like "retail shops just released on RE" - where more than one person had a chance of getting it.

As someone who doesn't do shops unless I'm called by the company or I see one on the offchance on a site, it doesn't bother me too much but I remember the days when I'd get the email on my phone, race back home/to a computer only to find it was nothing worth worrying about. That was annoying when that happened but it must be worse nowadays!!

I'm trying not to upset the people who do post there as I'm grateful as a lot of people are - just thought I'd mention it.

Any thoughts anyone?

I know what you mean. It is diluting the value of the Alerts thread as it was originally intended to alert people when batches of jobs are being released.

I have never gained any benefit from the GR and Gfk posts as the only time I ever get any job offers from those companies I get emailed directly to tell me there is work available. Many times I have tried logging on in response to an Alerts post only to find there is nothing.

I do realise the posters are just trying to be helpful but if none of us find them useful then it is just a waste of time all round.

jdan9

I suppose you do have a point, but tbh (and no offence to The Timmne) I think maybe some people who rush home having got an email are being a little OTT about it all - I don't think anybody on here really MSes for a living and relys on checking every single alert to put bread on the table, so I don't really see the point of religiously checking the alerts all the time - I personally only look at them if I'm at the computer anyway... and therefore its no big deal if it is a bit of a non-alert...

jdan9

fabsaver wrote: »

I have never gained any benefit from the GR and Gfk posts as the only work I ever get any job offers from those companies I get emailed directly to tell me there is work available. Many times I have tried logging on in response to an Alerts post only to find there is nothing.

I do agree about companies like GR and GfK, I don't really see why people post alerts about them since the jobs are offered individually and emailed to us by the companies.

Having said that I don't see it as a big problem, I would personally only post alerts for individual jobs if they have been there for a while, or they look like a release which somebody might like, or if there are two or three in the same area which might be worth somebody travelling to.

Timmne

jdan9 wrote: »

I don't think anybody on here really MSes for a living and relys on checking every single alert to put bread on the table

You'd be surprised! There are a couple of shoppers on here who do shop as their only income - I remember a couple of years ago when I was planning my wedding and not earning much that these releases did mean a lot to me. I know that if I missed the GAP release of burgers, chicken and pizza (all of which used to pay some fee at least) then I'd be stuffed - they were potentially £150 earnings for the month!

Thankfully I don't need the jobs now but do enjoy doing the ones I do so the alerts thing isn't too much of a problem.

82much - I know what you mean about giving something back - I try put as much into the alerts thread as I take from it too so you're not alone!

82much

Fabsaver - Yes I find the same. GR and Gfk I think you can only get jobs from them if they email you. I think the alerts only work for the likes of RE, Gap and ABAi etc as those you need to log into to see what is available.

Timmne

kitchpoo wrote: »

How do I add other retailers?

Hi Kitchpoo - if you read any one of the last 1000 pages you'll see someone else will have asked that question and the answers are there if you look for them

82much

Timmne - You put a hell of a lot back - you owe no-one anything. I have seen how much help you have given on here to anyone and everyone - including me!

Thank you I know a lot of people are very grateful to you.

kitchpoo

Timmne wrote: »

Hi Kitchpoo - if you read any one of the last 1000 pages you'll see someone else will have asked that question and the answers are there if you look for them

I should have added, I did try the search facility (but the search engine doesnt take 3 letter words in to account - so "aba", and "add" dont help. I will trawl the thread again and see what I can find.

As to the debate on the alert thread, I think that the regional ones are good, the very specific ones are for a very small number of people, maybe a second thread for such posts??

Timmne

Try searching for "clients" - that'll take you to the right ballpark