MYSTERY SHOPPING THREAD 18 - please don't mention client names or fees on here!!

jen_br

Proshopper, I think there i work to be had but more companies are switching to video, not much more expensive from a client standpoint and better results. And Ive noticed all though slow my old faithful companies know Im quality... so I think your right they will be cherry picking and not using the masses.

However, I think the MP show highlighted a FAD. Do you REALLY believe RE has had that many new recruits? I don't. 10k is a lot and I just don't see it happening.

I think MS companies will say they gto a lot of interest to try and get us to work for low fees... so now is the time to stand ground.

boyoboy1986

And it's silly season time again......

Guess who the following proofreading query is from!

'your report states that the member of staff had brown hair. Can you state whether it was dark or light'

They are taking the complete and utter !!!!.

mysteryshoppingninja

boyoboy1986 wrote: »

And it's silly season time again......

Guess who the following proofreading query is from!

'your report states that the member of staff had brown hair. Can you state whether it was dark or light'

They are taking the complete and utter !!!!.

Tell them to go forth and multiply...

I got asked to confirm hair length the other week. The fact they had name, height, where he was working in the store, age, sex, glasses, hair colour and outfit was apparently not enough without me clarifying he had short hair :wall:

proshopper

jen_br wrote: »

Proshopper, I think there i work to be had but more companies are switching to video, not much more expensive from a client standpoint and better results. And Ive noticed all though slow my old faithful companies know Im quality... so I think your right they will be cherry picking and not using the masses.

You are right. The new shoppers only get an early chance on self-allocation systems. I think it was weeg (who said earlier today) that he/she has waited ages for a manual allocation from one company.

jen_br wrote: »

However, I think the MP show highlighted a FAD. Do you REALLY believe RE has had that many new recruits? I don't. 10k is a lot and I just don't see it happening.

Do a seacrh for "mystery shopping" on google. We all know that GfK and the likes have wanted more hits for ages. See what shows up ... I haven't seen the viewing figures for MP-SS, but it was hyped before the first episode, so I guess the figures must have been quite high. Out of however many K sign-ups, there must be a huge proportion of "wastage." Maybe someone should ask RE how many sign-ups were confirmed???

jen_br wrote: »

I think MS companies will say they gto a lot of interest to try and get us to work for low fees... so now is the time to stand ground.

As I said, January has been big-time BLEAK for me. I have had calls, but I have stood my ground on payment. I reiterate that I produce the goods (one MS company MD actually emailed me recently to say that one of my reports was the best that he had ever seen). I always say that I am looking for a better than standard return on urgent work, and I will not do these jobs at a "book loss." We all need to stick to our guns on this, I think.

mysteryshoppingninja

Maybe we should suggest MP starts her own mystery shopping company. But preferably not using RE as a business model!!

The frightening thing is I can write a specialised banking visit worth over 10x an RE fee quicker than I can write an RE report. I've spoken to acquaintances before who've asked what I do and mentioned that they do mystery shopping as well but that they "only get bookies and clothes shops" and "don't know how anyone can make a living doing it". So pleased they haven't discovered google!

antk4

jen_br wrote: »

Sarah the react allocator is nice... but like all allocators stay in communication with them so your fresh in their minds.

I agree, Sarah is lovely. She is down to earth and very appreciative when you help her out with difficult assignments. She is my favourite allocator.

redzhell

Anyone have an email address for Frontline Focus?

weeg

I just checked. I registered with react in august 09. I got my first job in Feb '10. I've got 16 completed shops since then, including 3 hard to allocate. And I only accepted one of those to try and get other work. OK, I did get 6 out of 10 for my first shop which must have had a bearing, but that was before they published guidance on their marking (using " " marks etc) and there used to be many posts here about their marking.

For whatever reason the old allocator didn't give me work, so I for one am ok with having someone else. TMDC have the scales totally stacked against newbies too. Registered with them in March last year, and got a job almost immediately. Then nothing until November. It's really hard to get past Bronze!

weeg

And on an unrelated note: I want to move business bank accounts. If anyone a)has one and likes their provider or b) spots any MSs that need done, I'd love a PM.

Now off to write a pizza report. The cat does love takeaway chicken wings. More than I like that particular pizza!

mysterious_girl

mysteryshoppingninja wrote: »

Tell them to go forth and multiply...

I got asked to confirm hair length the other week. The fact they had name, height, where he was working in the store, age, sex, glasses, hair colour and outfit was apparently not enough without me clarifying he had short hair :wall:

Staff member name: Alfred Cutterbug
Hair colour: Ginger
Height: 5'7
Glasses: yes, with black frames
Age: 40 - 45
Sex: I doubt it
Distinguishing features: Tattoo of a snake behind his ear

Query:

Was the tattoo behind his left or right ear? Please confirm within 20 minutes or you won't get paid.