Does anybody do mystery shopping?

merlin68

If so how do you get started on it and is it worthwhile.

mumofjusttwo

there is thread about this on here.

will find it for you.


http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2155793&highlight=mystery

elf06

i used to do it and the short answer is NO :rotfl:
There may be better companies than the one i used (cant even remember the name it was so long ago) but i dont recall ever seeing a penny from doing it and some were quite far away (that may be due to my location tho)

Kevie192

You also have to register as self employed with most companies and do a tax return etc. More trouble that it's worth if you ask me!

Kevin

Alison_Funnell

Used to - don't anymore. Not worth it. Paid poorly for the work.

Lush is ok but you need to join their forum to be able to apply. Used to be a £20 voucher per shop.

Penelope_Penguin

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Counting_Pennies_2

I too used to, I worked for NOP Mystery Shoppers.

It was good to begin with, I used to get good jobs, even free meals out for Chef and Brewer, and assess their staff responses to everything.

I ended up with mainly Boots and Carphone Warehouse. These were very long winded and very difficult not to be discovered as a mystery shopper.

The money got worse, no freebies were forthcoming, and then I had to start going back for a follow up visit within a specific timescale.

The straw that broke the camels back was when you had to state what was either side of the shop, to ensure you went to the right place.

Increasingly I would put the shops down left and right to the store, and then find the whole mystery shop would be voided, told it was incorrect and had the fee and expenses refused. Despite it being the right store, and ones I had done many times in the past. I think this was a cunning way to not pay you!

It wasn't worth it, and I gave up.

That was 4 years ago, and to be honest, getting an evening job in a supermarket would be more worth while!

[Deleted User]

I have to disagree with the comments on here. For me, I like mystery shopping. That said, I've been doing it over 4 years now and it fits around my 31 hour a week job. I am lucky that I travel around the North West frequently with work so am able to cover quite a large area. I am a quick touch typist so this helps when filling in large reports. It is never going to make you rich, but like today for instance, I get myself a free sandwich for my tea at work (and get paid for it). I enjoy the flexibility and I know some of the reports are tedious, but I do find once you have done one fast food restaurant, the other reports are quite similar and you tend to know what you are looking for. It sort-of comes naturally to me now and the whole self-employed thing isn't that hard to sort. There are lots of people on here who will help you do it.

Admittedly, there is one particular company who are a pain when it comes to your reports and I am sure they do it to avoid payment - it's the ones that do the pizza restaurants, however I'll only pick that if I want a free meal with my best friend!

Hope that helps.

Rachel

thewad

Just signed up with one called grass roots.
Every job I've been offered has been for £10.
10 minute drive to shop, do the business then return home probably an hour tops if your lucky.
Then write up your report.
£10 less tax and NI = £7.20 and that's not including your petrol money.
Still haven't done one, not worth the effort.

John

Mr.Mulla

This job sounds interesting. Do you ever get the things you buy for free? I mean they'll give you money to purchase an item, then that item you purchased is yours to take? Is that how it works?

blindman

Mr.Mulla wrote: »

This job sounds interesting. Do you ever get the things you buy for free? I mean they'll give you money to purchase an item, then that item you purchased is yours to take? Is that how it works?

You need to be observant for Mystery shopping.

Look at Post #2 for the link to the MSE thread.;)