The Mystery Shopping thread - IX

princess_leia_3

mharzuk wrote: »

I've had a strange day I thought I would share and see if it rings any bells with other readers.
1. I did a mystery shop so I divulged some of my inner most feelings on what I thought of my shopping experience on a web site to a complete stranger.
2. I needed some groceries which I then had to scan and send the receipt to a complete stranger. Not only that but Mr T records everything I buy and knows my most intimate most shopping habits too.
3. Having bought myself some new underwear I then entered the details (including description….!) onto another website so they now know my taste (and size) of underwear.
4. Foolishly I bought a sandwich and drink during this shopping excursion and had to send a text to another complete strange who now knows where I like to buy my snacks and how much they cost!
5. During the Wimbledon finals I was making a mental note of if I thought they were making good use of technology in preparation for the questionnaire I will need to fill out tomorrow so a complete stranger will know what I watch, when I watch it and what I thought about it!

Big brother is indeed here and seems to be watching me, so the rest of the country should be safe! I didn’t even register all the CCTV cameras that captured almost my every move as well.

Any bells anyone, or is it just me?

Thanks for that, I really needed a laugh tonite :rotfl:

fabsaver

mharzuk wrote: »

I've had a strange day I thought I would share and see if it rings any bells with other readers.
1. I did a mystery shop so I divulged some of my inner most feelings on what I thought of my shopping experience on a web site to a complete stranger.
2. I needed some groceries which I then had to scan and send the receipt to a complete stranger. Not only that but Mr T records everything I buy and knows my most intimate most shopping habits too.
3. Having bought myself some new underwear I then entered the details (including description….!) onto another website so they now know my taste (and size) of underwear.
4. Foolishly I bought a sandwich and drink during this shopping excursion and had to send a text to another complete strange who now knows where I like to buy my snacks and how much they cost!
5. During the Wimbledon finals I was making a mental note of if I thought they were making good use of technology in preparation for the questionnaire I will need to fill out tomorrow so a complete stranger will know what I watch, when I watch it and what I thought about it!

Big brother is indeed here and seems to be watching me, so the rest of the country should be safe! I didn’t even register all the CCTV cameras that captured almost my every move as well.

Any bells anyone, or is it just me?

I know what you mean:D

I do all the surveys as well but I often think that I must be distorting their results:o When they ask what I have bought and where I have eaten I include all my MS purchases. Next time you see the published results of a survey which seem to suggest that, despite the recession, consumers are eating out a lot then you know who to blame:p

josie

scotsbob wrote: »

I got a tug from the revenue people about 18 months ago. Among other things they knew I was Mystery Shopping (goodness knows how)

They were surprised when I showed I was making a loss. I told them it was a hobby like playing golf. I didn't do it to make money I did it to pass the time. They were quite happy and I never heard any more fom them. Of course I had the proper paperwork to prove it and kept everything below the NHI level.

I've always wondered if the MS firms notify HMRC about who works for them? Thoughts anyone?

ruthiejane

mharzuk wrote: »

I've had a strange day I thought I would share and see if it rings any bells with other readers.
1. I did a mystery shop...
2. I needed some groceries which I then had to scan...
3. Having bought myself some new underwear....
4. Foolishly I bought a sandwich and drink during this shopping excursion and had to send a text to another complete strange who now knows where I like to buy my snacks and how much they cost!...
5. During the Wimbledon finals I was making a mental note of if I thought they were making good use of technology .....
I didn’t even register all the CCTV cameras that captured almost my every move as well.

1. Yes I do this!
2. Don't do this but I know I can..
3. Yes - I do this!
4. No idea who this would be for! Enlighten me??
5. Yes - do this too!
Stayed inside all day - its pouring with rain, except for walking 3 doors down the road to my in-laws for lunch, so hopefully I'm not on CCTV today!

ruthiejane

josie wrote: »

I've always wondered if the MS firms notify HMRC about who works for them? Thoughts anyone?

I guess they may have to as part of their tax returns.

nads

mharzuk wrote: »

I've had a strange day I thought I would share and see if it rings any bells with other readers.
1. I did a mystery shop so I divulged some of my inner most feelings on what I thought of my shopping experience on a web site to a complete stranger.
2. I needed some groceries which I then had to scan and send the receipt to a complete stranger. Not only that but Mr T records everything I buy and knows my most intimate most shopping habits too.
3. Having bought myself some new underwear I then entered the details (including description….!) onto another website so they now know my taste (and size) of underwear.
4. Foolishly I bought a sandwich and drink during this shopping excursion and had to send a text to another complete strange who now knows where I like to buy my snacks and how much they cost!
5. During the Wimbledon finals I was making a mental note of if I thought they were making good use of technology in preparation for the questionnaire I will need to fill out tomorrow so a complete stranger will know what I watch, when I watch it and what I thought about it!

Big brother is indeed here and seems to be watching me, so the rest of the country should be safe! I didn’t even register all the CCTV cameras that captured almost my every move as well.

Any bells anyone, or is it just me?

Welcome to Britain, enjoy your stay!

Scaredy_Cat_3

scotsbob wrote: »

I got a tug from the revenue people about 18 months ago. Among other things they knew I was Mystery Shopping (goodness knows how)

They were surprised when I showed I was making a loss. I told them it was a hobby like playing golf. I didn't do it to make money I did it to pass the time. They were quite happy and I never heard any more fom them. Of course I had the proper paperwork to prove it and kept everything below the NHI level.

Just curious, if you said it was a hobby, did they say ok you don't have to submit a tax return??? It's my understanding that any money you earn from any source, hobby or otherwise, has to be declared - am I wrong?

yonk

HRMC have more powers than you can ever imagine and they can look at bank records, I think.

No point evading tax. You may never get caught but why take the risk.

scotsbob

Scaredy_Cat wrote: »

Just curious, if you said it was a hobby, did they say ok you don't have to submit a tax return??? It's my understanding that any money you earn from any source, hobby or otherwise, has to be declared - am I wrong?

No mate I think you have misunderstood, or maybe I didn't explain it too well.

You are correct, all income has to be declared. Which I did.

However my Mystery Shopping showed that it was making a loss, i.e. my expenses were higher than my fees. When they queried why I would be doing something and making a loss so that it actually cost me money to work, I told them I spent a fortune on my hobbies i.e. golf and got nothing back.
I said Mystery Shopping was just a little hobby to fill in my time.

Course if my fees had been higher than my expenses then I was going to be out of pocket after they took their 40%. If that happened I wouldn't be doing the Mystery Shopping would I? I bet you wouldn't be either mate. Good luck to you.

ukmonkey

Someone on here (blindman maybe??) posted a few months ago that a mate of his was self-employed, and making a loss. When the revenue queried this, he told them something along the lines of that he pays his taxes to them, not seek business advice from them, and basically for them to keep their noses out.