The Mystery Shopping Thread - X

annasbee

BerryDelight wrote: »

Depends on the brief but if it doesnt mention buying petrol then I dont, I just park up and go in to buy a drink or sandwich, find it most effective if you do this at lunchtime, doesnt arouse as much suspicion!

Thanks for that - that is the way is reads but it just seems that going to a petrol station and not buying petrol is like going to a burger joint and not buying a burger - bizzarre lol

annasbee

lisainglasgow wrote: »

Wow I am very surprised! I put in a partly negative report for the posh burger place for RE, thinking I would be queried - food was good, service was terrible!
They have paid me no probs! Really shocked, but pleased.

Unlike another certain company RE like honesty, good or bad. I have often given negative feedback for terrible service without queries - be sure to always highlight the good points also and they have never failed to pay. After all we are doing this to give honest opinion and I notice that one place I did very recently is having a re shop so they seem to take it seriously.

twinklie

I've got a rather stupid question. If your claiming money back with regard to travel expenses from the tax man...say the trip is 5 miles. Would you claim 5 miles worth of petrol or 10?

I'm just asking because in ukmonkeys spreadsheet I've only been putting in the 5 miles....not 10. Hmmmm....

Lil_Me_2

I put the full distance, as thats how many physical miles I've had to drive.

TractorGirl327

annasbee wrote: »

Can someone tell me - with petrol jobs do I actually have to buy petrol or just go into the shop. Seems from brief only the shop but keep thinking Im wrong for some reason...

If it's the ABAi petrol jobs it's usually shop purchases and a coffee. I usually get bread, milk, newspaper, sweets for the kids and a coffee

twinklie wrote: »

I've got a rather stupid question. If your claiming money back with regard to travel expenses from the tax man...say the trip is 5 miles. Would you claim 5 miles worth of petrol or 10?

I'm just asking because in ukmonkeys spreadsheet I've only been putting in the 5 miles....not 10. Hmmmm....

If it's 5 miles there, I'd claim 10 - you have to come back again don't you!

Scaredy_Cat_3

Quick question - on the RE sports clothing shops. It says try on a shoe and make an enquiry in the clothing dept etc. Then it says purchase 'an item', ie t-shirt or trainers, not a small till point item or accessory.

Does anyone know what they define as an 'accessory'? I was going to buy a badminton racket. I got the impression reading the notes that the purchase item does not have to be clothing or footwear, but I'm not sure what they mean as 'accessory'. Can anyone who has done these jobs before offer any advice please?

TractorGirl327

Scaredy_Cat wrote: »

Quick question - on the RE sports clothing shops. It says try on a shoe and make an enquiry in the clothing dept etc. Then it says purchase 'an item', ie t-shirt or trainers, not a small till point item or accessory.

Does anyone know what they define as an 'accessory'? I was going to buy a badminton racket. I got the impression reading the notes that the purchase item does not have to be clothing or footwear, but I'm not sure what they mean as 'accessory'. Can anyone who has done these jobs before offer any advice please?

If you look at the company in questions website, under "Sports Accessories" are backpacks, caps, gifts and toys, gloves hats & scarves, gym sacks, holdalls, underwear, wallets, water bottles.

I'd say you were fine with a badminton racket!

Scaredy_Cat_3

TractorGirl327 wrote: »

If you look at the company in questions website, under "Sports Accessories" are backpacks, caps, gifts and toys, gloves hats & scarves, gym sacks, holdalls, underwear, wallets, water bottles.

I'd say you were fine with a badminton racket!

Thanks TG, you're a star! Just out of idle curiosity, do you know why they don't want us buying 'accessories'?

TractorGirl327

Scaredy_Cat wrote: »

Thanks TG, you're a star! Just out of idle curiosity, do you know why they don't want us buying 'accessories'?

I guess maybe so that when you go to pay for it, they get the opportunity to suggest an accessory to go with your purchase? So if you get your racket, they might suggest you get a carrying case for it? If you just purchased a carrying case, they're not likely to say "Would you like a racket to go in there?"

Scaredy_Cat_3

TractorGirl327 wrote: »

I guess maybe so that when you go to pay for it, they get the opportunity to suggest an accessory to go with your purchase? So if you get your racket, they might suggest you get a carrying case for it? If you just purchased a carrying case, they're not likely to say "Would you like a racket to go in there?"

Thanks - that makes sense. Mind you, the report doesn't ask if they did offer any other suggestions at the check out. Although I guess it could be standard wording that they have in all notes.

Also, I've just looked on the website (would never have thought of that if you hadn't mentioned it !), and it lists 'sports equipment' under 'accessories', although it doesn't seem to mention rackets anywhere on the website. I assume a racket would be sports equipment. I'm told they do sell them, but they don't seem to be on the website.