Mystery shopping thread xiii ** please don't mention client names on here **

kman

DebtHater wrote: »

But for people that are trying to make a profit, I cant see how RE is the way to go about it.

You're quite correct, It isn't...and unfortunately, they're succeeding in driving down the fees from most other companies as well... :mad:

bylromarha

DebtHater wrote: »

But for people that are trying to make a profit, I cant see how RE is the way to go about it.

I agree. RE fees have gone done from small to none.

I use it to get reimbursement for the extras I would like to have in my life...:D

kman

Basingguy wrote: »

Just wondering, my fiancee, soon to be wife, works in retail and I was wondering if this would stop me being able to do Mystery Shopping?

That shouldn't stop you at all. MS companies state that you can't do assignments in places where you know a member of staff, so you won't be able to MS your OH!!!

duchy

Playing with postcodes worked for me. I set it fairly broadly so always see some for areas I wouldn't cover too but better that than not seeing jobs at all.

Possibility of a 5th RE Gatwick f&b job now-I may need to get an earlier train to fit them all in at this rate and a 6th -well .....the MS company emailed me telling me they understood I was flying on the 21st when I'd emailed saying I was flying the 25th and was there flexibility for the job on the 21st <sigh-bring back the area managers>

DebtHater

Basingguy wrote: »

Just wondering, my fiancee, soon to be wife, works in retail and I was wondering if this would stop me being able to do Mystery Shopping?

On the pre-assignment questions, it asks you questions such as "do you know anyone who works for xxxxx" etc, if you select "yes" it will rule you out of working for that client.

But working in retail does not stop you from doing MS work generally.

duchy

Doesn't just apply to RE but the trick is surely to use them to "fill"

I have one run which gives me three station jobs not including my home station en route to a massive shopping centre which always has phone and coffee jobs minimum usually some retail too including the knicker shop and department stores. One of those station jobs pays the fare -a decent shop job puts me into profit -anything else (the most I've had on one day on that run was 10 jobs) is jam on top.

I won't do reimbursement only anymore unless I need something specific or maybe a very local pub for Sunday lunch -looking at the way the sports shops are hanging around at the moment-I'm not the only one.

When I first started I took anything going to get a bit of a reputation with the companies- now I'm established- I can afford to be a bit more picky and use better time management (not seen a certain burger joint in months LOL but if it fitted in with a batch run-I'd still do it)

One of the most fun circuits I ever did was a car circuit in an area of London I didn't know well. Did it all on a travelcard-saw parts of London I'd never seen before (nice parts) on a beautiful sunny day and made a whopping profit. Yet when I first saw the jobs I discounted them -sometimes it pays to think outside the box.

DebtHater

duchy wrote: »

Doesn't just apply to RE but the trick is surely to use them to "fill"

I travelled 20 miles to go to the RE jobs yesterday, but only because I had a GR job (with an increased fee because they were desperate) plus 2 GFK phone jobs (which I feel are a very good fee for 30mins work)
I wouldnt have done the jobs had I not already been offered some good ones in the area

I agree with what you said about doing the RE jobs only if you wanted something - wasnt too bad as I got the other half 2 PC games that she would enjoy playing on, so not all bad

proshopper

duchy wrote: »

Doesn't just apply to RE but the trick is surely to use them to "fill"

I have one run which gives me three station jobs not including my home station en route to a massive shopping centre which always has phone and coffee jobs minimum usually some retail too including the knicker shop and department stores. One of those station jobs pays the fare -a decent shop job puts me into profit -anything else (the most I've had on one day on that run was 10 jobs) is jam on top.

I won't do reimbursement only anymore unless I need something specific or maybe a very local pub for Sunday lunch -looking at the way the sports shops are hanging around at the moment-I'm not the only one.

When I first started I took anything going to get a bit of a reputation with the companies- now I'm established- I can afford to be a bit more picky and use better time management (not seen a certain burger joint in months LOL but if it fitted in with a batch run-I'd still do it)

Pretty much the way I work: I put in a few of the quick (i.e. not RE) jobs around the decent stuff. I do some burger type stuff, particularly drive thru, if it's on the way to somewhere else.

I really do think that "reimbursement only" is being taken for a ride - unless I have a definite and absolute benefit from the item purchased. I would not want to have to pay tax on an overpriced item/something that was not my purchase of choice. If more MS companies go down this route, then I will be even more selective!

blindman

maverick2307 wrote: »

I actually find RE ok, I couldnt see any jobs for ages in january but I then phoned them and and told them and hey presto I could see loads of them and have done ever since, so my advice to those who cant see jobs is to ring them. I have found them excellent over the phone. I know it sounds like I work for them but Ive never had any problems with payment or otherwise with them.

Good advice,wish I'd thought of it....

kman

blindman wrote: »

Good advice,wish I'd thought of it....

.........;)