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

jen_br

Lil_Me wrote: »

This is my understanding too, but it is a very grey area, even amongst HMRC staff!

If you have to buy a particular product or meal as per the instructions from the client then this is tax deductable, however if you get told you get a £5 reimbursement to spend on groceries of your choice then this isn't a tax deductable expense.

For anyone on the MSUK forum there is a wonderful long thread from a member on there who was investigated by the HMRC about this exact issue. I.e one person at HMRC said they should pay tax on it all, but their argument of "I had to buy it in order to get the fee (which they pay tax on) therefore it should be classed as a necessary expenditure" seemed to sit tightly and they won.

So it's a word of warning for all the no fee assignments as you're really proving that the "free food" etc was of use to you therefore as it was a benefit you should pay tax on it.

Well thats why I don't accept too many jobs with out a fee!! unless I am needing the hotel for a reason etc (most times I get a few quid thrown on as a fee)

MaxAben

Monkeynut wrote: »

Ermmm, how do you release or cancel a job with Helion? Max... Hello!!!
I've been assigned 2 visits that I didn't apply for! I'm sure it wasn't me just making a mistake as I was paying lots of attention to what I was applying for as I've called several of the branches last month so was making sure I only applied for ones I'd not done before already, so I'm sure I didn't accidently apply for a visit! Definitely not the 2 I've been assigned!!!

Hi, to cancel simply email me - maben@helionresearch.com, I did only assign the ones that had applications though ;-)

Thanks
Max

Becles

Kimitatsu wrote: »

My point was that we HAVE had snow for that long but as most of the MS companies are dahn sarf they dont comprehend what the conditions are like! I talked to one person yesterday and pointed out that I had 12 inches of snow in the drive and her tone of voice was "yeah right", and I dread to think what the scottish bretheren are dealing with :eek:

I've noticed that. A couple of companies have said "well can't you just pop out..."

They don't comprehend that I can't just pop out as it would take a long time to dig the car out, then find neighbours to push me out of the street, then drive at snails pace to wherever I'm doing and risk getting stuck in the car park as I did on Tuesday. Plus I've got the bairns at home as the schools are closed, so I'd have to drag them with me. It's too much of a risk.

I've wondered about using buses but they keep suspending the services and I'm worried about travelling to places and then not being able to get home again.

jen_br

Ugh I had TNS say that to me.. I live 60 miles round trip form Edinburgh they suggested i take public transport.. I said its CLOSED! "but we will pay mileage" I said great but I CAN"T GET THERE!

weeg

ljshopper wrote: »

"tell us what you think of the burger shopping programme"

Fill yer boots!!:j:beer:

I think they'd get a far better, higher response to their survey if you could fill it in anonymously. Anyone done it? What kind of stuff are they asking?

samtastic7

:mad::mad:

Miss_Qwerty wrote: »

Grrr, my turn to moan.

Why label parts of surveys as 'Optional' when you're only going to return them saying you want all parts filled in. Surely that's not 'Optional' at all, that's 'Required'! :mad:

so damm annoying

Lil_Me_2

weeg wrote: »

I think they'd get a far better, higher response to their survey if you could fill it in anonymously. Anyone done it? What kind of stuff are they asking?

It's a pretty good survey really. Asking top 3 things you like and dislike with "other" options on them. Also asks how difficult you find each aspect of the assignment e.g timings, checking cleanliness etc. Then it asks what one thing you would change.

I thought it was a very sensible and open survey!

borders

I've given up. Had been trying to keep my car clear but it just keeps snowing. I'll wait till it thaws, probably about March. Cleared my steps and didnt realise how much had fallen last night. Running out of places to put the stuff. Risking snow blindness every time I look out the window and the wife's got cabin fever already.

Lil_Me_2

The best thing about the companies and this snow business is that they don't seem to realise the impact the snow has on the stores too! If shoppers can't get to them, and staff can't get to them, and the lorries with stock can't get to them then if they're even open it's not going to be a "typical" day in the store!!

Is it really fair on the stores if we have to say that there weren't enough staff and they didn't have anything to buy? Most (good) managers in the stores would just write off the reports saying that it's not an accurate representation. On the flip side I'm sure some would like to know how the stores cope in bad weather, but I'd say the majority would rather we waited until things were more normal.

The_Pixi

jen_br wrote: »

Firstly read the first page of this thread we don't mention client names.. the 2 shops you mentioned ARE CLIENTS! we don't take fees or amounts at all and your tone is not appreciated. The problem is companies read this thread and try to peice things together in order to poach clients.

I am TRYING to explain to you that the groceries ARE NOT free and that they are an expense.. you NEED to claim it if you don't want to accept it fine. however when HMRC breathe down your neck dont come complaining.

EVEN if you throw out the shopping its still an expense and you STILL have to claim it all.

Plus.. you are admitting here that you are keeping the shopping and just "saying" your throwing it out which is illegal and MSE isn't about cheating the taxman. all of us on this thread complete our taxs in the proper way

If you were to get XX for the fee and XXX to purchase shopping then you are to record it. I am not sure how much HMRC would believe if you kept saying you were throwing out XXX worth of shopping? Think about it... you have to prove it... HMRC don't.

THE MS company doesn't have to explain it you are SELF EMPLOYED its down to you to learn about the taxs.

Your post frustrates me as it seems you don't want to accept anything anyone is saying unless someone tells you you are right.

I have accepted it and have decided I shan't continue, I was just making sure absolutely that the advice was consistent. It would be stupid to just reely on one persons answer.

Those companies may be clients but it has nothing to do with mystery shopping, stop being so precious.

I also think it is reasonable to assume the MS company would warn you that you are becoming self employed, as I have a job, I just didn't think it would be classed as work. If I don't know about something in the first instance I can't go and learn about it.

And as for attitude, I really think you should look at your 1st and 2nd post to me and just think how it could be interpreted attitude wise. I'm new to this MS thing and was looking for a bit of help.

Not LOLs and "your not listenings" only a couple of you have responded and I think it's fair to just ask around the issue and make sure the advice I get is consistent.

It seems to me you are very impatient, and are being unfair. Especially given I have twice said that I will not continue with the MS thing for the tax reasons.

If I responded to you in a slightly sharp manner I apologize but that is exactly how you have come across to me.