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

jen_br

mimi1234 wrote: »

Pet, it's not just that client, the yearly attractions have gone down in mileage too. Bet all the other clients will follow too. What about the little slogan on the front page saying we are going to put mileage up with the price of fuel going up etc. Bullish!!!

Agree Mimi, I don't understand the mentality of the company-- I mean surely EVERYONE'S cost is rising everywhere therefore if they can't get it from the client they need to cut into their own pie portion because shoppers will soon only shop a 10 mile radius as its too pricey to go anywhere else.

I try to group my mileage jobs with my non mileage jobs...

proshopper

mimi1234 wrote: »

Pet, it's not just that client, the yearly attractions have gone down in mileage too. Bet all the other clients will follow too. What about the little slogan on the front page saying we are going to put mileage up with the price of fuel going up etc. Bullish!!!

I hadn't looked at the attraction jobs (only at the client you mentioned and the active jobs in my shop log). Despite what React say on the front page, I can't imagine that the travel expenses are going to carry on much longer.

It wouldn't be a precedent: for example, TNS used to pay capped mileage for all jobs; now they only pay mileage for a few clients.

With the huge mystery shopper workforce that exists these days, there must be greater potential for agencies to get work covered without the need to pay travel expenses. Agencies are bound to take advantage of this.

That said, I'm still covering as many miles overall as I always have. When agencies get desparate, they will pay what it takes. If jobs have stuck around for a while (or reappeared as re-shops, etc.), I tend to ring the agency and make a reasonable offer.

mimi1234

jen_br wrote: »

I try to group my mileage jobs with my non mileage jobs...

That's exactly what I do. Bundle REACT and UKIMS visits (where they pay mileage, normally get a day ticket and travel round the block) with RE, TNS, RM, GR etc.

I will have to work out if REACT visits are going to be worth doing. This is just an example, no actual figures used: React clothes store visit with a £3 fee and £6 mileage. Would that really be worth it as other agencies normall pay aboout £11+ for clothes stores? Also, REACT ask for a lot for their little fees, i.e. buy, return etc. REACT are going down in my opinion!

jen_br

Agree Mimi, you got to wonder if htey are using mileage to "top up" the fees so to speak... So If mileage is A + B for visit other companies are just offering AB.

nehpets81

jen_br wrote: »

Agree Mimi, you got to wonder if htey are using mileage to "top up" the fees so to speak... So If mileage is A + B for visit other companies are just offering AB.

I think this is exactly what they are doing. Without the milage the fees are in a par with RE and Gap. So, considering the level of detail required in some of their reports the fees are being topped up with milage IMO. So, considering they can pick and choose which shoppers complete the jobs depending on how close they are, it's not a bad little scheme they have got going.
It is a real shame as this time last year (or maybe longer ago actualy) React were one of my favourites.

hsa_3

Went today to do a job for GR and the (technical) store was closed for refurbishment. Can't find anything on the GR site or the brief about what to do so I have emailed them but of course no-one is working as it's Saturday. Does anyone know what the drill is with GR? Do they pay a fee for a closed store like some other comapnies do? Fortunately it was not far from home.

jen_br

hsa wrote: »

Went today to do a job for GR and the (technical) store was closed for refurbishment. Can't find anything on the GR site or the brief about what to do so I have emailed them but of course no-one is working as it's Saturday. Does anyone know what the drill is with GR? Do they pay a fee for a closed store like some other comapnies do? Fortunately it was not far from home.

Did you take a photo of it? Ihave always found GR to be great to deal with!

fillyfop

Hi everyone.

Is anyone having trouble with the TNS website?

I did a visit for them this morning but have not been able to get onto the website at all since. I just keep getting the "Internet explorer cannot display the website" message.

TractorGirl327

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3289780

:Sigh:

TractorGirl327

fillyfop wrote: »

Hi everyone.

Is anyone having trouble with the TNS website?

I did a visit for them this morning but have not been able to get onto the website at all since. I just keep getting the "Internet explorer cannot display the website" message.

Fine for me