MYSTERY SHOPPING THREAD 17 - please don't mention client names or fees on here!!

weeg

I decided not to do my cinema. The snow has stopped, but the idea of driving back in the dark was just too hideous. I hate being unreliable, but frankly I am not putting myself and my wee car at risk for a movie and a fee.

proshopper

Robert_Roberston wrote: »

How does everyone manage their visits on a day to day basis? Is it via a diary for example or Excel?

Also do you spend time on a route and try build up jobs for a nice little route? It's not always easy with the fastest finger first though is it, as you end up taking all kinds to fill your diary then find you are all over the place on a specified day.

DevilsAdvocate1 wrote: »

I do it on Excel and build up routes for different areas. This was hard at first and sometimes meant I was losing money if I did not get enough jobs in a certain area.

I'm lucky now as I have quite a few regular jobs that I get on a monthly and bi-monthly basis which means I know which areas I am being paid mileage for. Most of these jobs are very flexible on dates too which helps as I move them about to fit in with extra jobs.

It took me several years to get to this point though.

D.

I use a good old fashioned page-a-day diary with a week view at the start of each week. Towns that I plan to visit go into the week view, and specific jobs go on the day pages.

I find that I need the page-a-day to allow for rescheduling (!) as there tends to be a lot of crossing out. For example, I have masses of jobs allocated to me manually, usually just before (or at the start of) their due month. These jobs usually have very flexible dates and always have travel paid, so I fit my other work in around them (or vice versa).

A few companies ring me at the start of fieldwork waves to find out if I am likely to be anywhere near x, y or z. My diary lets me give them an instant response (and the chance to negotiate extra fees/expenses).

I do accept urgent jobs that don't fit my plans, but most allocators know that my work is properly scheduled and they understand that they have to up the fees/expenses if Iam expected to reschedule other work or travel out of my way to meet their needs.

Like DevilsA, it has taken me many years to get to this point. Also, because "my area" covers a 50-mile radius of my home, allocators are quite likely to get a positive response when they ring me (hence, more offers coming my way). For example, I already have jobs lined up in at least 18 towns/cities before Christmas Eve!

serendipity2706

weeg wrote: »

I decided not to do my cinema. The snow has stopped, but the idea of driving back in the dark was just too hideous. I hate being unreliable, but frankly I am not putting myself and my wee car at risk for a movie and a fee.

Me too. Still snowing here and I think the city centre is a bit clearer but, living up a hill, I'm not taking the chance of having the car (and me) stuck at the bottom.
I've emailed the allocator and will phone them tomorrow. Also have the Aberdeen meal to reschedule...

DevilsAdvocate1

serendipity2706 wrote: »

Me too. Still snowing here and I think the city centre is a bit clearer but, living up a hill, I'm not taking the chance of having the car (and me) stuck at the bottom.
I've emailed the allocator and will phone them tomorrow. Also have the Aberdeen meal to reschedule...

Another me too. I rang the emergency number and explained. She told me to email and that they understand.

Feel bad as this is the first time I've ever cancelled a job with them.

D.

bylromarha

GAP -

They assigned me a pizza shop, emailed confirmation, - I've just looked through my assignments and it's now cancelled.
They assigned me a chicken shop - I wanted to do it wednesday, they emailed to tell me that they've changed it to saturday. I've just gone on and changed it back to the same wednesday I booked it for - it was listed on the drop down menu.

I appreciate they are a law unto themselves, but what is this about?!

serendipity2706

bylromarha wrote: »

GAP -

They assigned me a pizza shop, emailed confirmation, - I've just looked through my assignments and it's now cancelled.
They assigned me a chicken shop - I wanted to do it wednesday, they emailed to tell me that they've changed it to saturday. I've just gone on and changed it back to the same wednesday I booked it for - it was listed on the drop down menu.

I appreciate they are a law unto themselves, but what is this about?!

I had 2 chickens booked then for some reason both of them we cancelled last week. I emailed to find out what's going on, but, as usual, not heard a peep in explanation

jen_br

bylromarha wrote: »

GAP -

They assigned me a pizza shop, emailed confirmation, - I've just looked through my assignments and it's now cancelled.
They assigned me a chicken shop - I wanted to do it wednesday, they emailed to tell me that they've changed it to saturday. I've just gone on and changed it back to the same wednesday I booked it for - it was listed on the drop down menu.

I appreciate they are a law unto themselves, but what is this about?!

I call it a Gapism.

Tudorc1

I had another "Gapism" this week.

They phoned for a last minute Burger - slightly out of my way, for that day.
"What time-frame?" I asked - "Whichever you prefer !" -" OK, make it lunchtime" (Large extra fee promised).

"I can't get to computer until after I will have completed it" - "that's OK I'll put in all in for you"

Come to check and input. - Down as Breakfast rates, (no enhanced rates), with lunchtime timings, for the next day!

Managed to input the results and sent a message to confirm all details.

No reply yet to message sent.

How much of a fight will I have to get the promised rate?

jen_br

There is a GAP rep on another forum.. he is helpful.

jen_br

attention all scottish travellers.

the M8 is down to one lane most of scotland roads are closed... closing or not fit for travel...

check out trafficscotland.org