The Mystery Shopping Thread - X

look_after_the_pennies

mharzuk wrote: »

There are times when it does get quiet for some of us and other times you will be rushed off your feet, so stick in there and keep your options open.
I'm early 40's and age has not slowed me down (as far as I can tell), its location that's my handicap.
You will also find that you switch between "best friend" companies. I used to do loads for Bare, for example, but have not picked up anything for them for 6 months, but I keep checking with fingers crossed.
My advise is to use your slack time doing some research into other companies not mentioned on the first page. A google search can bring up a few so spend a couple of days filling in applications. Don't forget to keep a record of who you've signed up to because chances are you'll get an email in a few months and you'll be back on here "saying who are these people, I don't remember signing up to them"! Its happened to most of us at one time or another.
HTH

I agree about the "best friend" companies. Last month mine was RE. Currently it is GFK and I'm really enjoying filling in their reports too. I don't mind Gap but then I failed my burger test so don't have the hassle of the burger jobs.

look_after_the_pennies

Got accepted for my first job with ESA. Didn't get my preferred choice but I also applied for a job outside of my normal area and got that one. At least it gets me off the starting block with them.

lisainglasgow

Hi everyone,
Not been on in a while but I would like some opinions.

I got a letter recently from HM Revenue and Customs, saying that I owed them money. The date was from the date I re-started mystery shopping in April this year, up to the present, saying that I owe them over 30 quid. Now I haven't even made 200 quid - I am very much a part time MSer, and I tend to take meals where I won't get a fee.

I have paid them as the deadline for paying is very close, but I have written them a letter too.

Do you think they will issue a refund? When I ran my own full time business I don't remember them issuing letters at funny times in the year

Can anyone advise me?

squidgeum

look_after_the_pennies wrote: »

Got accepted for my first job with ESA. Didn't get my preferred choice but I also applied for a job outside of my normal area and got that one. At least it gets me off the starting block with them.

Hi
I personally don't like ESA very much. I got a call virtually begging me to do an urgent "that day" job about 50 miles return journey, which I did for them and thought they were grateful. About 2 days later I asked if I could extend a job by 1 day, they refused and put it back on as available so I lost it. So don't expect any favours from them if you help them out!!

Oh ... and I know I asked a couple of days ago, but I still haven't got my assignment notes for the TNS car jobs even though I've emailed 4 times and phoned twice. They told me yesterday (quite abruptly I might add!!) that they were being sent out yesterday, but no sign of them for me .

look_after_the_pennies

Hmm, and there was me thinking I could score some bonus points with ESA. Oh well, I'll do this one assignment and see how i go. The whole MS experience is a learning curve!

look_after_the_pennies

Afraid i can't help you on the TNS car jobs as I didn't apply. May be someone else on here can help Squidgeum?

squidgeum

look_after_the_pennies wrote: »

Hmm, and there was me thinking I could score some bonus points with ESA. Oh well, I'll do this one assignment and see how i go. The whole MS experience is a learning curve!

Not from my experience with them , but maybe I got the wrong person on the wrong day...who knows :rolleyes:

look_after_the_pennies

One thing I know I don't like about them is their constant phoning asking me to do an "urgent" assignment. The thing is, the majority of their assignments have to be done during the week and I work then. I keep telling them this but I don't think it registers. Wish they could stick a note on their system!

lisainglasgow

lisainglasgow wrote: »

Hi everyone,
Not been on in a while but I would like some opinions.

I got a letter recently from HM Revenue and Customs, saying that I owed them money. The date was from the date I re-started mystery shopping in April this year, up to the present, saying that I owe them over 30 quid. Now I haven't even made 200 quid - I am very much a part time MSer, and I tend to take meals where I won't get a fee.

I have paid them as the deadline for paying is very close, but I have written them a letter too.

Do you think they will issue a refund? When I ran my own full time business I don't remember them issuing letters at funny times in the year

Can anyone advise me?

Bumping for help

KaramelRose

lisainglasgow wrote: »

Hi everyone,
Not been on in a while but I would like some opinions.

I got a letter recently from HM Revenue and Customs, saying that I owed them money. The date was from the date I re-started mystery shopping in April this year, up to the present, saying that I owe them over 30 quid. Now I haven't even made 200 quid - I am very much a part time MSer, and I tend to take meals where I won't get a fee.

I have paid them as the deadline for paying is very close, but I have written them a letter too.

Do you think they will issue a refund? When I ran my own full time business I don't remember them issuing letters at funny times in the year

Can anyone advise me?

You'll probably find it's for National Insurance contributions which you have to pay if you're Self Employed (it's a few quid a week, can't remember the exact amount). If you don't think you'll earn over the threshold (think it's about £5500) then you can apply for a "Small Earning Exemption Certificate" - you can print one of the website.

Just send it off and they won't pester you anymore and you should be able to apply for a refund. I recently sent one of these forms off and haven't heard back yet... but I didn't pay the bill and haven't had any nasty reminders so presume it's all okay.

If it is for NI contributions - that's what you ought to do!

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/cf10.pdf

Thats the form to fill out and send off in the post!