The Mystery Shopping thread - IX

jdan9

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?

Surely you can't complain that "Big Brother" is watching you - all these intrusions into your privacy are self-imposed and voluntary, so if you don't like it, don't do it!

Chaz1

sandyp wrote: »

I had sunday lunch at the Italian brothers today and I m just writing up the report now and looking at my receipt the server has forgotten to add on my coffee which I HAD to order.What do I do now ,will I still get paid or should I send an email to RE about it.Cant afford to lose that reimbursement as it is not cheap to eat out there.

I did one of these today and the server tried to charge me for two soft drinks instead of one :mad:

NattyVee

I'm new to this mystery shopping business, but absolutely loving it!

Only done one chicken job so far, but got accepted on TNS and am doing a job at a train station I'm passing through, as well as a burger job on Friday.

The fees aren't great to start with, but as someone who quite enjoys the freebies, I see it as a nice way to combine business and leisure.

As an aside, could anyone chuck me one of those tax spreadsheets? I declared myself as self-employed a couple of weeks ago, and have heard nothing since the confirmation. I guess I just keep all of my receipts and records until April and fill them in then, right? I have another job which takes me over that £4k-ish threshhold.

Another question, I know you can claim mileage for expenses, is keeping bus/train/tube tickets and submitting those as expenses ok? Of course I would only submit them if I bought them for the sole purpose of going out on mystery shops.

Thanks in advance!

mharzuk

jdan9 wrote: »

Surely you can't complain that "Big Brother" is watching you - all these intrusions into your privacy are self-imposed and voluntary, so if you don't like it, don't do it!

Sorry Dan, didn't mean to get your goat, it was just a bit of light hearted ranting. I thought I might have made at least one person smile and nod knowingly..........
obviously not you though eh? :cool:

duchy

Well to the people whose service we judge and report on........to them *we're* Big Brother watching THEM

squeaky1055

pinkprincess39 wrote: »

I couldnt complete a phone store for GAP on friday as when I got there it had closed down!! Anyway I emailed them to explain this. Got an email on saturday telling me my results are overdue!!

You should still get paid for this. I had the same the other day and took a foto of the closed shop! I let gap know and they are gonna pay me so you should be ok.

sophie131

Does anyone know what time RE opens to talk to someone!?
I accepted 3 expired jobs hoping to do them today. I have to leave the house at 10.30 and if no one's answered by then, i'll have to release them

IlonaRN

sophie131 wrote: »

Does anyone know what time RE opens to talk to someone!?
I accepted 3 expired jobs hoping to do them today. I have to leave the house at 10.30 and if no one's answered by then, i'll have to release them

Should open at 9am.

Tillydot

Hello all
I used to work for (mystery shopping) NOP and a couple of other MS companies about three years ago I stopped doing it as the work seemed to dry up and I wasnt making muchmoney. I wonder if there is much work around now. Reading a few of your threads it seems people are making quite decent money. Any advice? Thanks for your help.

Scaredy_Cat_3

scotsbob wrote: »

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.

Thanks for clarifying that - so do you still have to complete a tax return every year? Still, I suppose they will offset your losses against your 40% PAYE, won't they?

I'm curious about this because I started MSing when I was out of work (and could not get JSA), but am continuing with it now that I have a part time job. Since I am now working I have less time for MSing (and keep missing the jobs anyway as it seems they are all released when I'm at work!), so my earnings will be even smaller than before, but I assume I will still have to fill out a tax return even if I make a loss or earn just a few quid?