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

polythenegirl

lucylou wrote: »

Well, I just passed my TNS test and I now have to wait 7-10 days for an answer.:beer:Does it normally take that long to get an answer?Can't wait,need more work:D

The majority of the work I've done in the past month has been for them. Not fantastically paid, but convenient and fits into my shopping week well.

Lil_Me_2

Done maybe 2 or 3 jobs for TNS! Not that impressed with them to be honest lol.

Tarasam

Lil_Me wrote: »

Done maybe 2 or 3 jobs for TNS! Not that impressed with them to be honest lol.

I've never managed to get a job with them and i've been trying since Aug 09.

robodude789

Hey guys, just wanted to introduce myself and asked some friendly advice .

I've been signed up to a couple websites (RE & GFK) for a while, only completing a couple now and then, but as im now a student, with a severe lack of funds, but plenty of free time , ive decided to get involved a bit more. I've signed up to a couple more sites, suggested on the frontpage of this, extremely helpful thread. I currently have a job offer from Bare, for completing an AUDIT, having never completed one before, the brief seems to be lacking in detail for a slight newby like me i was wandering if anyone could essentially give me a brief runthrough of what actually happens ect.
Thanks for any replys in advance, and I look forward to spending alot of time here instead of working on my degree

Lil_Me_2

Audits are generally not covert (i.e you announce yourself) and they pretty much check compliance or the availability of stock. So you might be asked to go into a supermarket and see if they have every range of chocolate biscuit available to buy, or you might be asked to check that a particular offer is being promoted in a store. It's quite a difficult one for me to really advise on as I haven't seen these audits, but if you want to send me a PM with the vague brief then I can try and help.

serendipity2706

robodude789 wrote: »

Hey guys, just wanted to introduce myself and asked some friendly advice .

I wouldn't have thought audits are that easy, in general, for a newbie, as sometimes you are talking to the manager etc, and if you're a bit unsure it can be a bit daunting-the recent green supermarket one's were a bit tricky involving measuring shelves etc
but the checkout audit is really simple (that's not a bare one tho)

GemzyKate

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year to you all, hope you are well.

I dabbled a bit in MS'ing last year, but then got engaged and had to get myself a second job working in a pub, hense no time to do MS'ing anymore!

So, I now have to do my first tax return and was just wondering about a certain Tern gym job that I done. How does this go down on tax return? Obviously I didn't earn a fee, was just re-imbursed, plus I didn't really make the most of it and only did the amount of visits required in the job spec. But does it go down as a taxable benefit or not?

Also, if I tell HMRC that I haven't worked self employed since March, am I likely to have to do a Tax return next/this year too?

Sorry for the very cheeky, one off message.

Gem x

nickc1989

GemzyKate wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year to you all, hope you are well.

I dabbled a bit in MS'ing last year, but then got engaged and had to get myself a second job working in a pub, hense no time to do MS'ing anymore!

So, I now have to do my first tax return and was just wondering about a certain Tern gym job that I done. How does this go down on tax return? Obviously I didn't earn a fee, was just re-imbursed, plus I didn't really make the most of it and only did the amount of visits required in the job spec. But does it go down as a taxable benefit or not?

Also, if I tell HMRC that I haven't worked self employed since March, am I likely to have to do a Tax return next/this year too?

Sorry for the very cheeky, one off message.

Gem x

Hi Gem: personally I would consider it all an expense, so by the time you've removed that from what Tern reimbursed you, it should be zero (if not a slight loss with petrol etc.) HMRC have always said to me that if you're gaining the benefit wholly in relation to the work (i.e. you wouldn't have gone there, or paid for the benefit, if it weren't for the MSing, it's an expense.) As that counts for the meals you buy while MSing restaurants- I'm sure it's one and the same for gym.

As for tax return, maybe - I can't say I'm too sure. Might be worth calling HMRC, saying you're no longer self-employed. As you have technically been for 10/11, probably you'll still have to complete one (though I did mine in 20 minutes the other day so hopefully not too bad ). HTH.

GemzyKate

nickc1989 wrote: »

Hi Gem: personally I would consider it all an expense, so by the time you've removed that from what Tern reimbursed you, it should be zero (if not a slight loss with petrol etc.) HMRC have always said to me that if you're gaining the benefit wholly in relation to the work (i.e. you wouldn't have gone there, or paid for the benefit, if it weren't for the MSing, it's an expense.) As that counts for the meals you buy while MSing restaurants- I'm sure it's one and the same for gym.

As for tax return, maybe - I can't say I'm too sure. Might be worth calling HMRC, saying you're no longer self-employed. As you have technically been for 10/11, probably you'll still have to complete one (though I did mine in 20 minutes the other day so hopefully not too bad ). HTH.

:j Thank you very much for your help, most appreciated!

TractorGirl327

I see RE are offering referral fees again.

Don't think I'll be bothering, since they never paid me for the 3 people I did refer and who did go on to perform many jobs for them! Thieving scumbags!