MYSTERY SHOPPING THREAD 19 - please don't mention client names or fees on here!!

ukmonkey

matthewluck wrote: »

I dont see why everyone is having a go at MSL, it clearly states on their site that the tenner fee for certification is optional.

It also says that they still offer assignments to those who do not choose to pay to become certified.

At the time of me looking to sign up, there was absolutely no mention of it being optional, in fact it appeared mandatory.

Ok, so I got it wrong, and thankfully they are a legitimate outfit. I still think charging to take the test is out of order, and failing to reply to several emails is inexcusable.

If you want to certify shoppers, why not just use the MSPA Certification? Ok, so shoppers still have to pay to become certified, but at least that certification then means something to others companies too.

Imagine if they all charged a £10 fee for an "optional" test?!

LizzieMSL

I can only send one PM an hour apparently as I'm a newbie, so anyone after a quick response is probably best to put their email address in their PM then I can reply direct from my work email address. Out of the office tomorrow though so if you don't hear from me until Thursday it's not cos I've gone into hiding

re your assignments only in Scotland or do you cover England and Wales too?

We're based in Devon but we do assignments all over the UK, though of course the more densely populated areas tend to have more work in them...

Heading off now, but thanks everyone for their input, positive and otherwise, it's been very informative!

dazza.mk

ukmonkey wrote: »

At the time of me looking to sign up, there was absolutely no mention of it being optional, in fact it appeared mandatory.

Ok, so I got it wrong

I wouldn't necessarily say that, the comment from MSL's website:

"Mystery Shoppers Ltd is aiming to carry out 90% of all assessments using Certificated mystery shoppers, by the end of 2011."

Could easily suggest that the view is that the test is completely optional......... but if you want any work you've got to take it (as a new shopper)

And obviously if you explicitly state 90% by the end of 2011 to me it would suggest a long term goal of 100% by 20xx, given they obviously place a lot of value on ensuring all shoppers take the test.

mysterious_girl

ukmonkey wrote: »

At the time of me looking to sign up, there was absolutely no mention of it being optional, in fact it appeared mandatory.

Ok, so I got it wrong, and thankfully they are a legitimate outfit. I still think charging to take the test is out of order, and failing to reply to several emails is inexcusable.

If you want to certify shoppers, why not just use the MSPA Certification? Ok, so shoppers still have to pay to become certified, but at least that certification then means something to others companies too.

Imagine if they all charged a £10 fee for an "optional" test?!

Don't give them any ideas! Bet I know which companies would be the first to jump on the bandwagon.

I can't see any other reason for charging £10 than pure greed. Sorry folks if that comment upsets you.

Not had a response regarding location of assignments yet either and no one else has jumped in to answer. How odd.

Oops, yes I did. Was typing when it arrived. Sorry!

jen_br

Sorry Just read that location -- Ive done work throughout scotland , N Ireland, Newcastle, Edinburgh ummm Preston and all over really.


I know from emails I get they have alot of southern work but Im not too familar with the south so i don't really know the areas.

carolwat

polythenegirl wrote: »

I think that some people have jumped on you and the rep for no reason on here however, I do think that the comment in bold is a bit unfair. Yes there are "newbies" on here (me being one of them) but I and others are certainly not in this to "earn a quick quid".

Yes searching more would help before posting, but you know what, this was supposed to be a nice and welcoming thread (or at least that's the impression I got) and surely questions and queries should be welcomed. Everyone on here was new once upon a blue moon. When you start something new it can be very daunting and overwhelming and you can miss things, especially when its lost in 200 odd pages worth of a thread.

Anyways - I hope you do come back carolwat, I like reading and learning more from the professional shoppers on here and hope that one day I can say my reports and work is as good as some of them on here

I know not everyone is in this for the get rich quick thing and I do find that those who are soon move on but whatever reason you are in it for theres no excuse for not reading. Im talking about questions like who is the secret eating place, which companies should I sign up to, do I have to declare earnings. These are questions that are asked on almost a daily basis and have been answered to the death. So much so that the shoppers on here who do this for a living are fed up with it. Yes I will stand up and say what I think, others wont. I have thick skin and its water off a ducks back to me but I also have limited patience. I have no problems at all helping people who have genuinely tried to help themselves. I have introduced people to video shopping companies, I have helped anyone who has asked and im available pretty much all day everyday to help any shopper who needs it. I am not willing to spend my time helping people who wont spend a bit of time reading first and I wont apologise for that.

I say what I think when I think it. Im good at my job and I dont let companies down. I am who I am and you take me or leave me. Those who have met me know that. Those that havnt have every opportunity to get to know me on facebook or on the office. I have no problem if people dont like me or what I say, say what you want to me then move on. I have no time for grudges, well not with most people anyway. Those who tell lies about me are a different story but hey ho :beer:

MSL have assignments all over the country and are certainly not regional.

I cant comment on MSUK personally as im not on there but I have heard they arent so friendly. I dont know myself as I have no experience and take it with a pinch of salt. I do know the office is very friendly.

I dont for one second say everyone on here is unprofessional and in it for what they can get etc. I know that isnt the case because I know people who post on here, ive met them and I know they are damn good at their job.

nearlyheadlessian what are you talking about when you mention bad etiquette to continue conversations on another forum. Who is doing that? You talk like its me but I have no idea what you are referring to.

dazza.mk

mysterious_girl wrote: »

I can't see any other reason for charging £10 than pure greed. Sorry folks if that comment upsets you.

Obviously Jen & Carol are regular shoppers who like MSL, but given their stated intention that they want 90% of shoppers to be certified by the end of 2011 and the certification test only lasts 2 years and they "reserve the right" to charge for recertification I'd definitely be nervous!!

Jen, Carol I know you won't agree, but the way they reserve the right etc. etc. I could easily imagine it changing (similar to the "ESA - Now charging us to work for them" thread on MSUK)

carolwat

jen_br wrote: »

Sorry Just read that location -- Ive done work throughout scotland , N Ireland, Newcastle, Edinburgh ummm Preston and all over really.


I know from emails I get they have alot of southern work but Im not too familar with the south so i don't really know the areas.

Yep and ive also done Scotland, Cumbria, North East, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Manchester and also know they have work further south.

ukmonkey

mysterious_girl wrote: »

Don't give them any ideas! Bet I know which companies would be the first to jump on the bandwagon.

I can't see any other reason for charging £10 than pure greed. Sorry folks if that comment upsets you.

Indeed. Even the shysters that are Retail Eyes don't charge to join!

Wow, maybe a new business model for them though...just think, 160,000 new shoppers at a tenner a pop. This time next year...

carolwat

dazza.mk wrote: »

Obviously Jen & Carol are regular shoppers who like MSL, but given their stated intention that they want 90% of shoppers to be certified by the end of 2011 and the certification test only lasts 2 years and they "reserve the right" to charge for recertification I'd definitely be nervous!!

Jen, Carol I know you won't agree, but the way they reserve the right etc. etc. I could easily imagine it changing (similar to the "ESA - Now charging us to work for them" thread on MSUK)

Not once have MSL ever asked me to do the test or even mentioned it to me. If they ever do ask me to do it then the answer will be a plain and simple no. If they do make it compulsory then I will walk away from them as a company as to be honest I turn work away so dont need to work for them. I do work for them because I like them, they are a great company and the staff are lovely. I dont like them or any other company enough to pay to work for them though If thats what happens in the future then its up to them but they will lose good shoppers and I dont think they will want that.

As for ESA, I do wonder what part of NO they dont understand. Told them I would do a clothes store for £40, it worked, they stopped asking. That was after about 9 calls over 2 days begging me to do it for between a measly £2 extra and double the fee plus another £2. Waste of space that company.