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

mcallister1

Aaagh! I can't cope with the new Gyp system with the numbers. I have messed up on a coffee job today, which I even read the brief for a couple of days ago, wrote the number down, then had to cancel and lost nymber. When they called to ask me to reschedule I forgot the new system.
I have been doing these since 2008 and amazingly am only banned from one store in town for a slightly critical report *sigh* but if I can't get my act together with this change I can see myself falling off their list.
I think I'll have to type it into my phone with my other notes before I go...new system.

serendipity2706

mcallister1 wrote: »

Aaagh! I can't cope with the new Gyp system with the numbers. I have messed up on a coffee job today, which I even read the brief for a couple of days ago, wrote the number down, then had to cancel and lost nymber. When they called to ask me to reschedule I forgot the new system.
I have been doing these since 2008 and amazingly am only banned from one store in town for a slightly critical report *sigh* but if I can't get my act together with this change I can see myself falling off their list.
I think I'll have to type it into my phone with my other notes before I go...new system.

Well, I print out the last sheet with the number on it, then I cant lose or forget it

mcallister1

serendipity2706 wrote: »

Well, I print out the last sheet with the number on it, then I cant lose or forget it

Yes-I have a printer issue atm. Good idea.

Tudorc1

mcallister1 wrote: »

Aaagh! I can't cope with the new Gyp system with the numbers. I have messed up on a coffee job today, which I even read the brief for a couple of days ago, wrote the number down, then had to cancel and lost nymber. When they called to ask me to reschedule I forgot the new system.
I have been doing these since 2008 and amazingly am only banned from one store in town for a slightly critical report *sigh* but if I can't get my act together with this change I can see myself falling off their list.
I think I'll have to type it into my phone with my other notes before I go...new system.

If you have the confirmation email for the job, use the link on that and you may be able to access the job details and the number after they have closed the access from the site - worked for me last week.

meandthree

mcallister1 wrote: »

Aaagh! I can't cope with the new Gyp system with the numbers. I have messed up on a coffee job today, which I even read the brief for a couple of days ago, wrote the number down, then had to cancel and lost nymber. When they called to ask me to reschedule I forgot the new system.
I have been doing these since 2008 and amazingly am only banned from one store in town for a slightly critical report *sigh* but if I can't get my act together with this change I can see myself falling off their list.
I think I'll have to type it into my phone with my other notes before I go...new system.

I just managed to lock myself out of doing a report as well, driving me crazy.:wall::wall::wall:

Tudorc1

meandthree wrote: »

I just managed to lock myself out of doing a report as well, driving me crazy.:wall::wall::wall:

Email them directly as well as on their own system - usually get a faster response.

misssarahleigh

I just can't get my head round the Egg shops going on ESA.

Normally my little local village is there for ages and the surrounding big town takes some time to dissapear (as some are quite rural) but both batches have dissapeared straight away.

I'm baffled tbh. I can only assume there is a new shopper snapping them up thinking how fantastic without any source of referance.

Don't know why its' bothing me as i don't want the jobs. Well, there is one left but i'm gonna wait for ESA to call.

Is anybody actually going to tell ESA what they think or just ignore the calls/decline the offer.

They can double the fee and i would do it for that (as there is onlt one) but my general attitude is going to tell them they are taking the mick.

ButterPie_2

Do you lovely experienced shoppers find it useful to have covert recording equipment? On a whim, I decided to record a visit on my mobile phone (just for my reference, as a backup) and I found it really useful, and of course there is the question they always ask when you register about if you have a hidden camera. Is it worth getting one?

mysterious_girl

ButterPie wrote: »

Do you lovely experienced shoppers find it useful to have covert recording equipment? On a whim, I decided to record a visit on my mobile phone (just for my reference, as a backup) and I found it really useful, and of course there is the question they always ask when you register about if you have a hidden camera. Is it worth getting one?

The proper equipment they want you to use costs over £500. Depends if you get enough assignments and how well they're paid.

Does anyone know if you can claim it against your tax?

lalli_pickle

mysterious_girl wrote: »

The proper equipment they want you to use costs over £500. Depends if you get enough assignments and how well they're paid.

Does anyone know if you can claim it against your tax?

Hmrc generally accept expenses 'which are incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily for the purpose of trade'.if the only thing you use it for is work, and it is necessary for your job as a video shopper then I don't see why not.

If you are a sole trader who sometimes uses it for other things (although I don't want to ask what!) Then you would only be able to claim a portion of the cost which related to your business usage. If you're trading through a limited company you would claim the whole amount but there may be a taxable benefit for any non business use by any employees or directors.

Does that help?