MYSTERY SHOPPING THREAD XIV - Please do NOT mention Client names on here

Paul_Varjak

nearlyheadlessian wrote: »

I assume the company has been in existence since August and therefore was notionally "operational" - that's the sort of BS all companies wheel out.

For a business to say they 'operate' in 90+ countries worldwide when Max Aben (one of the apparent founders) admitted they were not even operational in their home country of Belgium at the time, rather stretches the meaning of BS!

nearlyheadlessian wrote: »

Obviously this has been an ongoing project - setting up contracts, a website (that more or less works) and so on doesn't happen overnight.

Of course it won't happen overnight and living with the problems is one reason I am not signing up!

nearlyheadlessian wrote: »

A lot of work appears to have gone into how the thing works.

Are you sure you are not just believing the BS on their website and a plethora of free advertising sites?

nearlyheadlessian wrote: »

I was very sceptical about the bare claims that the list was stolen - sounded more like sour grapes and an attempt to persuade people not to sign up.

I don't recall receiving an e-mail but several MSE members claim they did!

nearlyheadlessian wrote: »

While there are things about Helion that irritate the hell out of me, assuming the money turns up eventually I'll be happy. There many times better than other companies

They irritate you, have not paid you, yet they are way better than other companies. In what way exactly?

nearlyheadlessian wrote: »

...and basically they're not gapbuster. How anyone works for those australian crooks is beyond me.

GapBuster find reasons not to pay, seems Helion may be doing exactly the same thing!

nearlyheadlessian wrote: »

You appear not to have addressed my point that Ernst Aben is involved in Helion...

Wasn't Ernst Aben, Managing Director of the European arm of BARE?

skywalker83

hi, flash is not working on my laptop can anyone who is doing the bare car visits please urgently get in touch!

Lil_Me_2

Personally I'm with nearlyheadlessian regarding Helion. I expected there to be delays with the first payment, there is only so much start up money that any company can have so I'm sure they need to get some in before they can pay out.

I do however agree with some of the posters who said that they were promised payment this week and therefore they should get either that or an email explanation.

I also assume that they're running on a low number of staff in the office, so it's a lot of work for very few people. All of this should improve with time and I'm really impressed that Max takes the time to come onto forums and touch base with the shoppers.

DebtHater

Lil_Me wrote: »

Personally I'm with nearlyheadlessian regarding Helion. I expected there to be delays with the first payment, there is only so much start up money that any company can have so I'm sure they need to get some in before they can pay out.

OK, so next time I'm in Asdas, I'll apologise to them that I cant pay for the shopping, because I havent been paid. Oh, and when I fill the car up with diesel, I'll again apologise because I havent been paid, hence I cant pay for my petrol.
They would expect payment for the goods I am purchasing, as I would expect payment for the service I have provided to an MS co.

Lil_Me_2

What a ridiculous statement!

No one is saying that Helion aren't going to pay you, however it's the timescale that is being questioned.

I think you're being naive if you didn't expect a small delay in payment from a company running their first wave of jobs!

It's also not a good idea to RELY on payment from any of the jobs that you do. What would you do if you accidentally made a mistake on a report and it was rejected, or if the company goes bust or you get sacked? Don't put all of your eggs in one basket so that you can't cope with a small loss should you be unlucky.

Paul_Varjak

Call me a cynic, but the only reason I see Max Aben visiting these (FREE) web pages is to recruit mystery shoppers on the cheap. to advertise MS jobs (probably in contravention of MSE rules) and then offer excuses (served up up as placatory dressing) when those shoppers don't get paid!

If it looks 'dodgy' I will assume it is 'dodgy' until proven otherwise!

nehpets81

I have seen a nightclub visit sitting on RE and am severely tempted. Only problem is, I can't get anyone to come with me so I would have to go on my own. Has anyone done these jobs and are they worth the hassle of looking like Billy no mates for an hour and a half??

Lil_Me_2

nehpets81 wrote: »

I have seen a nightclub visit sitting on RE and am severely tempted. Only problem is, I can't get anyone to come with me so I would have to go on my own. Has anyone done these jobs and are they worth the hassle of looking like Billy no mates for an hour and a half??

I did go with someone, but I found the time went quite quickly with everything you had to do. Take your time wandering around everywhere and drinking your drinks. £5 limit on card transactions at the bar so bear that in mind if you want a card receipt.

As long as you don't end up sitting down for too long on your own in one place it won't look as obvious that you're on your own.

Lil_Me_2

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

If it looks 'dodgy' I will assume it is 'dodgy' until proven otherwise!

Fair point.

I suppose it comes down to personal preference as whether someone is willing to take the chance that they may end up working for free. Just like some people don't do work for different companies or do jobs if the fee isn't what they consider worth it.

I didn't mind doing a few jobs for Helion as the time outlay was very minimal, I was in the area for the jobs anyway and if I do get paid (even if it's late) then I will be significantly rewarded.

Even if it takes 3 months to be paid I would honestly rather do more Helion jobs over (for example) RE pub jobs where the fee is a third and the time taken would be more.

squidgeum

Lil_Me wrote: »

Fair point.

I suppose it comes down to personal preference as whether someone is willing to take the chance that they may end up working for free. Just like some people don't do work for different companies or do jobs if the fee isn't what they consider worth it.

I didn't mind doing a few jobs for Helion as the time outlay was very minimal, I was in the area for the jobs anyway and if I do get paid (even if it's late) then I will be significantly rewarded.

Even if it takes 3 months to be paid I would honestly rather do more Helion jobs over (for example) RE pub jobs where the fee is a third and the time taken would be more.

I agree with this, but as long as I was aware before I carried out the job that payment was going to be that long.

That's the point I was trying to make in an earlier post. It's not the length of time the payment's taking, or the fact that it's late, it's the fact that payment had been promised, not received, and there's been no explanation.