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

samtastic7

http://http://www.freshneyplace.co.uk/
no they are so stupid its unreal
wed and thurs a whole shopping center closed.....

duchy

Becles wrote: »

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.

Priceless ! What planet do some people live on ....and don't they ever watch the news.
Tuesday I used the trains and managed to knock out 4 jobs but it was touch and go getting home. Yesterday I walked to my next town -only a couple of miles across country/park and it was really nice but I bussed it back but got another three done .

Today I have three at stops down a major train line.....and it simply ain't gonna happen. I have two maybe three for Bluewater on Sunday -I have doubts about those too as it's still snowing heavilly here now. (I'm in Medway so it's not that far)

squeaky1055

Lil_Me wrote: »

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!

Yeh..especially told them that by going alone and asking for a receipt does make you identifiable. Or am I constantly Billy Nomates? Sitting in the place surrounded by families and couples and there I sit on my Jack Jones!

The_Pixi

jen_br wrote: »

Thanks Becles and Borders frustration sets in when someone is trying to avoid paying taxs that I pay!


Radarman... certain things are.. the IR has told me if I am buying a meal as a job and ive got to write a report on it.. I can claim that as a expense...

Jeeze, calm down.

I came here to find out exactly what taxes I should be paying! perhaps if you stopped with all the CAPPS and ! and angry tone I would be able to see the helpful parts of your posts more easily.

Lil_Me_2

squeaky1055 wrote: »

Yeh..especially told them that by going alone and asking for a receipt does make you identifiable. Or am I constantly Billy Nomates? Sitting in the place surrounded by families and couples and there I sit on my Jack Jones!

I told them I would do more assignments if I could take my partner with me!

Lil_Me_2

The_Pixi wrote: »

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.

All of the ones I signed up to have it in their T&Cs that you're responsible for your own tax and that you're employed on a self-employed basis. That's how they cover their backs! It's not always obvious though.

There are some companies that do deduct tax, so make sure you haven't had it deducted already (doesn't sound like you have though).

Legally as you have completed jobs you do have to register with HRMC, and fill in a tax return and pay tax on the earnings you've had even though it's only minimal. If you don't do this then you could be prosecuted. We're just telling you what you SHOULD do, if you choose not to then this is your choice.

However, we can give you advice on how you can reduce your tax bill! There are lots of things you can claim for such as mileage and printing costs which you will have likely incurred in order to do the jobs, you can take this off the total and pay very little.

It seems like a lot of work, but for those of us who do more than 1 or 2 jobs a year we can make a fair amount of money in that year so HMRC need to regulate that income like they do with every other job you have.

There are a lot of us who have full time jobs and do this part time, but there are a fair few who do this full time and this is their job! So please be careful to not come across that Mystery Shopping is just a bit of fun.

The_Pixi

Lil_Me wrote: »

All of the ones I signed up to have it in their T&Cs that you're responsible for your own tax and that you're employed on a self-employed basis. That's how they cover their backs! It's not always obvious though.

There are some companies that do deduct tax, so make sure you haven't had it deducted already (doesn't sound like you have though).

Legally as you have completed jobs you do have to register with HRMC, and fill in a tax return and pay tax on the earnings you've had even though it's only minimal. If you don't do this then you could be prosecuted. We're just telling you what you SHOULD do, if you choose not to then this is your choice.

However, we can give you advice on how you can reduce your tax bill! There are lots of things you can claim for such as mileage and printing costs which you will have likely incurred in order to do the jobs, you can take this off the total and pay very little.

It seems like a lot of work, but for those of us who do more than 1 or 2 jobs a year we can make a fair amount of money in that year so HMRC need to regulate that income like they do with every other job you have.

There are a lot of us who have full time jobs and do this part time, but there are a fair few who do this full time and this is their job! So please be careful to not come across that Mystery Shopping is just a bit of fun.

That's the thing you see, I registered about 3 years ago and a new store opened so I was offered via phone call the chance to participate, I'd never heard a peep for 3 years I had forgotten all about it.

I guess I'll have to send off the forms for the last two shops, but i'm just frustrated really as when the woman phoned up she really did make it sound like the shopping is free, because they "didn't want it"

It does make me wonder now what is and is not classed as work, for example I'm stopped in the street to do a taste test on a few items and after I'm given a £10 voucher should that be classed as work? I think I'll stick to the day job

misssarahleigh

The_Pixi wrote: »

That's the thing you see, I registered about 3 years ago and a new store opened so I was offered via phone call the chance to participate, I'd never heard a peep for 3 years I had forgotten all about it.

I guess I'll have to send off the forms for the last two shops, but i'm just frustrated really as when the woman phoned up she really did make it sound like the shopping is free, because they "didn't want it"

It does make me wonder now what is and is not classed as work, for example I'm stopped in the street to do a taste test on a few items and after I'm given a £10 voucher should that be classed as work? I think I'll stick to the day job

I think the issue is that the tax system has many grey areas. I mean there are things i do such as cashback. Now, if i buy a TV and get £10 back that isn't making money. But what if i complete a insurance quote and earn £2. Thats money i've earned.

Similar could be said for partaking in online surveys. I think your meant to pay tax on those. But does it make a difference if you paid in cash or vouchers?

I probably should pay tax on a few little sidelines i have but if the information isn't going to be clear about it, i'll 'risk it for a biscuit'. I started all this when i was a teenager and never gave it a second thought before reading about tax on this forum.

TractorGirl327

Why do new people to the thread think it's ok to come on here and ask questions, then insult the regulars and stomp off in a huff when they don't get the replies they want?

Pixi isn't the first and won't be the last.

TractorGirl327

I've just done the Gap burger survey. Be careful - lots of the questions require you to choose an answer 1-5 based on whether you like it or not - some of them 1 is good, 5 is bad, some the other way round!