The Mystery Shopping Thread - X

Tesco_points_addict

Please don't tell me off I have read the first page!!

I am just completing my last years tax figures - its not much as I didn't start until March 2009 lol!

I just wanted a general figure that most people put down as a cost per month that covers their Phone: Internet: Heating?? etc. Our actual costs are: phone £18 per month broadband £11.99 and mobile broadband £7.50 (helps to complete reports on the road but is rubbish connection at home!) Would £10 a month seem like a reasonable compromise for claiming against tax?

TPAx

ukmonkey

Tesco_points_addict wrote: »

Please don't tell me off I have read the first page!!

I am just completing my last years tax figures - its not much as I didn't start until March 2009 lol!

I just wanted a general figure that most people put down as a cost per month that covers their Phone: Internet: Heating?? etc. Our actual costs are: phone £18 per month broadband £11.99 and mobile broadband £7.50 (helps to complete reports on the road but is rubbish connection at home!) Would £10 a month seem like a reasonable compromise for claiming against tax?

TPAx

Do it as a percentage.

i.e what percentage of your home phone do you use for MS purposes, and what percentage for personal calls?

I don't think you'd claim for heating, lighting etc, instead you'd just claim one figure for "use of home office", I've heard figures of around £10 per month being banded about...

I'm not an accountant, please do your own research.

https://www.hmrc.gov.uk

Tesco_points_addict

ukmonkey wrote: »

Do it as a percentage.

i.e what percentage of your home phone do you use for MS purposes, and what percentage for personal calls?

I don't think you'd claim for heating, lighting etc, instead you'd just claim one figure for "use of home office", I've heard figures of around £10 per month being banded about...

I'm not an accountant, please do your own research.

www.hmrc.gov.uk

Thank you monkey, you said exactly what I was trying to say! 'Use of home office'. I have looked on the hmrc site but its all a little 'wooly', will stick to £10 if peeps think its reasonable. Now that leaves me with a £4.30 profit for last year unless I claim for two weeks use of the 'home office' @ £5 which would mean I made a loss of 70p.:rotfl:

Does anyone know if theres a maximum mileage allowance, I get paid a mileage allowance in work and was wondering if after I do so many miles the rate would have to drop down from 40p, do they take into account the fact I have claimed mileage from another source?

Thanks again

TPAx

skywalker83

ukmonkey wrote: »

Do it as a percentage.

i.e what percentage of your home phone do you use for MS purposes, and what percentage for personal calls?

I don't think you'd claim for heating, lighting etc, instead you'd just claim one figure for "use of home office", I've heard figures of around £10 per month being banded about...

I'm not an accountant, please do your own research.

www.hmrc.gov.uk

ifi use the 10% rule can I claim 150 pm as i pay 1500pm as rent?? wow thats alot!

KVet

Quite impressed with BARE so far on how helpful and flexible they are being with this car job i'm doing for them. They had 2 circuits with 1 car on each and managed to get them so I could do them on the same day, and also as its a bit out of the way for me (30 mins away) they've added an extra 10 euro on for mileage PLUS they got a cancellation in so i'm getting that one too and can do them all on the same day! Good money, shame I hate car places :S

It looks quite in depth so that is scaring me a bitty but I think i'm looking too much into them, how hard/easy are they really so I can swot up?

mysterious_girl

KVet wrote: »

Quite impressed with BARE so far on how helpful and flexible they are being with this car job i'm doing for them. They had 2 circuits with 1 car on each and managed to get them so I could do them on the same day, and also as its a bit out of the way for me (30 mins away) they've added an extra 10 euro on for mileage PLUS they got a cancellation in so i'm getting that one too and can do them all on the same day! Good money, shame I hate car places :S

It looks quite in depth so that is scaring me a bitty but I think i'm looking too much into them, how hard/easy are they really so I can swot up?

They are actually really easy to be honest. Just look up the car you need to shop on the internet so you at least know what it looks like! The salesman can sometimes side track you and try to steer you onto a different model but say that you and your partner have been researching and that this is definately the one you want. I dont know if you're male or female but as I am female I use this scenario.

" My husband is working away in Dubai and we've both been researching on the internet long distance ha ha ha, takes so much time, ha ha ha, he suggested I go in and speak to someone personally and try and get a good deal that way"

When they ask about finance I usually say that an Aunt has recently died and I've just got some money through or that my parents have sold their house to downscale and have given you a bit to help you out.

mysterious_girl

Mumof2 wrote: »

Back from my 2 jobs and I'm pleased to say they went really well :j! Any top tips about taking a discrete photo of the shop from outside?!

Glad they went okay!

To take pics you could hide behind a car or go into the shop over the road and use your zoom. I try and do it at a little bit of an angle if the other two options aren't available. I just try and make sure the door isn't right in front of me so they can't see me. Or you could do it from your car? I've done all of these. Or take it from your mobile and make it look like you're sending a text.

TractorGirl327

Did an RE bike shop today. Went up to London to meet hubby for lunch (courtesy of RE as well ) and thoroughly enjoyed speeding round Canary Wharf on a £650 bike. It was gorgeous!! I actually do want to buy a bike but don't want to spend that much on it!!

KVet

mysterious_girl wrote: »

They are actually really easy to be honest. Just look up the car you need to shop on the internet so you at least know what it looks like! The salesman can sometimes side track you and try to steer you onto a different model but say that you and your partner have been researching and that this is definately the one you want. I dont know if you're male or female but as I am female I use this scenario.

" My husband is working away in Dubai and we've both been researching on the internet long distance ha ha ha, takes so much time, ha ha ha, he suggested I go in and speak to someone personally and try and get a good deal that way"

When they ask about finance I usually say that an Aunt has recently died and I've just got some money through or that my parents have sold their house to downscale and have given you a bit to help you out.

Coolios, I just panic with all the bumph. I dunno where to find out all the info for it? I have downloaded the GUidelines but they seem vague and I keep failing the Quiz thing as I have NO idea where the answers are?! Halp

yonk

Look up the exact model on the manufacturer's website. It's important to read the sticky to see if it's a particular model & then look at the guidelines where it describes special points.

I didn't pay enough attention for my first one but once you get the hang of what they are after, it's fine.

Follow the flow chart too.