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

jen_br

ButterPie wrote: »

Me and my husband are both doing mystery shopping, doing between 5 and 10 shops a week each, plus we could use the equipment in our own business too, so we wouldn't mind investing, obviously it depends what price range we are talking about. What sort of spec do I need to look for, and would it be likely to increase the amount of MS jobs we would be offered and/or our fees?

Could be worth at least keeping an eye out for a bargain

The spec is a PV500 evo unit. they run roughly 500ish pounds. I haven't found one company that doesn't want this format and most of them prefer it.

its a button camera to be worn in a shirt body covert gear is a MUST bagcamers and things like that are not acceptable.

It would increase your work as you would be able to apply to companies that did video, bare in mind then you get given jobs with a lot of them unable to pick and choose and there is TRAVEL. I am expected to travel 3-400 miles rountrip sometimes. Infact I have a project that is from Scotland to Nottingham (lots of miles)

obviously camera work is a speciality so say goodbye to the 10.00 fees its above that amount

HTH

BUT bare in mind-- everything is on camera no mess ups-- you mess up you don't get paid. The equipment fails you don;t get paid Ive lost over 600.00 on a gig because of equipment failure.

yonk

ButterPie wrote: »

Me and my husband are both doing mystery shopping, doing between 5 and 10 shops a week each, plus we could use the equipment in our own business too, so we wouldn't mind investing, obviously it depends what price range we are talking about. What sort of spec do I need to look for, and would it be likely to increase the amount of MS jobs we would be offered and/or our fees?

Could be worth at least keeping an eye out for a bargain

It's quite a specialist bit of kit so whilst I looked around, I ended up getting it from the preferred supplier of one of the MS companies, who has been very helpful. No bargains, I'm afraid.

DevilsAdvocate1

ButterPie wrote: »

Me and my husband are both doing mystery shopping, doing between 5 and 10 shops a week each, plus we could use the equipment in our own business too, so we wouldn't mind investing, obviously it depends what price range we are talking about. What sort of spec do I need to look for, and would it be likely to increase the amount of MS jobs we would be offered and/or our fees?

Could be worth at least keeping an eye out for a bargain

Well, I bought mine at the beginning of November and have so far only had 3 jobs with it. I have been accepted by 3 companies, all of which wanted to see a sample of my work before accepting me.

I think the big downside is that they hear not just what the MOS says, but what you say too. So if you are supposed to ask a question and you don't then you don't get paid.

I paid nearer £600 and bought from the preferred supplier. I was advised to buy an extra battery which increased costs and have had to buy SD cards to record onto, clothes to use it with, etc.

I hoped I'd be nearer to paying the equipment off by now. At this rate a new improved camera will be out before I've paid for this one.

D.

yonk

Yep, that pretty much describes me too. Right down to the extra battery and having done 3 jobs! One of which, I managed to turn the camera off, 20 seconds into the hour recording...my generous tum touched the off button.

I'm hopeful tho. However, there has apparently been an influx of new video shoppers lately so it's probably more competitive atm, than it has been in the past.

dawnie1972

boyoboy1986 wrote: »

From the RE website incase anyone is wondering what has happened with their pending payments.

Phew thank you for posting this - i just came on to post and ask if anyone knew what this was - got me worried for a bit.

jen_br

yonk wrote: »

Yep, that pretty much describes me too. Right down to the extra battery and having done 3 jobs! One of which, I managed to turn the camera off, 20 seconds into the hour recording...my generous tum touched the off button.

I'm hopeful tho. However, there has apparently been an influx of new video shoppers lately so it's probably more competitive atm, than it has been in the past.

Yeah like the 10k new re shoppers I doubt theres been THAT much of an influx, and a lot of people will not be able to take the stress and leave.

You need to be committed to video to do it. Yonk and I have had numerous chats and I feel that she will have her equip paid off by april

spender

It seems a long wait until the various paydays despite being a short month (or is it just the kids have cost a fortune?)

dawnie1972

Sorry if i'm being thick but on the RE jobs where there's no fee but a reimbursement amount how does that work do you get the full reimbursement amount or only what you spend therefore meaning you don't make anything for doing the assignment?

Tudorc1

dawnie1972 wrote: »

Sorry if i'm being thick but on the RE jobs where there's no fee but a reimbursement amount how does that work do you get the full reimbursement amount or only what you spend therefore meaning you don't make anything for doing the assignment?

The Penny Drops, and with RE it usually is pennies!

You get the amount you spend up to the limit.

meandmaboy

dawnie1972 wrote: »

Sorry if i'm being thick but on the RE jobs where there's no fee but a reimbursement amount how does that work do you get the full reimbursement amount or only what you spend therefore meaning you don't make anything for doing the assignment?

Hi Dawnie1972,
You'll be pleased to know that you're not being thick, in fact you are spot on, no fees & only reimbursed upto the maximum amounts.:mad:If you've spent that.
You would be doing the assignment for pure pleasure & give yourself a lot of pain & angst (sp) into the bargain.:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
Can forecast a lot of these hanging about the website.

Its not getting any better I'm afraid, even with them having 10,000 new shoppers.