Mystery Shopping Thread 21 *PLEASE READ THE OP FIRST**PLEASE NO CLIENT NAMES OR FEES*

Thryth_2

Hi Guys,

Just starting out in Mystery Shopping and was going to take up an assignment but with all the self-employed tax man business, The registering, exemption form filling, 5 year book keeping, profit and loss, expenses etc I'm now wondering if it's really worth it for the odd £5 here and there.

I know it's not going to earn me a fortune and would only be doing it in my spare time so I'm wondering What sort of cash are people actually making out of MSing on average?

If it's so little then TBH I'd almost prefer not to earn anything and do it for the kicks (but you can't!) as it seems like my time book keeping etc wouldn't really worth the few quid...

misssarahleigh

Thryth wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Just starting out in Mystery Shopping and was going to take up an assignment but with all the self-employed tax man business, The registering, exemption form filling, 5 year book keeping, profit and loss, expenses etc I'm now wondering if it's really worth it for the odd £5 here and there.

I know it's not going to earn me a fortune and would only be doing it in my spare time so I'm wondering What sort of cash are people actually making out of MSing on average?

If it's so little then TBH I'd almost prefer not to earn anything and do it for the kicks (but you can't!) as it seems like my time book keeping etc wouldn't really worth the few quid...

You earn as much as you are willing to, dependant on your effort. Some people make a living, others do it part time.

In fairness, once you do the initial forms (20 mins max) entering your info onto a spreadsheet would take all of 1 min per job, so, if thats whats putting you off I wouldn't worry.

At the end of the tax year if you do so little I would imagine an hour to fill out your tax return.

whitelabel

misssarahleigh wrote: »

You earn as much as you are willing to, dependant on your effort. Some people make a living, others do it part time.

In fairness, once you do the initial forms (20 mins max) entering your info onto a spreadsheet would take all of 1 min per job, so, if thats whats putting you off I wouldn't worry.

At the end of the tax year if you do so little I would imagine an hour to fill out your tax return.

If that admin is putting you off, I would worry

It is minimal compared to the level of reports you will have to complete, especially the Fastest finger type jobs youre likely to get when you start out, those report and "how they make you feel", will make accounting seem a relief to complete with the ease of them.

No one is going to tell you what they earn here to be honest, and all i will say is enough.
You earn enough for the level of effort you put in, as with most self employed jobs.

Thryth_2

misssarahleigh wrote: »

You earn as much as you are willing to, dependant on your effort. Some people make a living, others do it part time.

In fairness, once you do the initial forms (20 mins max) entering your info onto a spreadsheet would take all of 1 min per job, so, if thats whats putting you off I wouldn't worry.

At the end of the tax year if you do so little I would imagine an hour to fill out your tax return.

Well that doesn't sound too bad, I was under the impression that tax was indeed taxing! The other thing that is bothering me is how exactly do you pay your tax? It might sound stupid but having never been self employed I'm unsure... Do you just get a bill at the end of the year or pay as you earn?

whitelabel wrote: »

No one is going to tell you what they earn here to be honest, and all i will say is enough.
You earn enough for the level of effort you put in, as with most self employed jobs.

I wouldn't ask any persons specific earnings. Just a rough estimate of what Mr/Mrs average MSer could look to earn in an average month given an average number of average jobs. I mean you wouldn't go for a new job without asking what the pay was would you? I know that of course it's down to the effort you put in and the number of jobs you do but again I was asking for an average, I work full time and would just be doing it in my spare time.

Ta

KazLA

KazLA wrote: »

I did choose no to that (and then tried yes!) but no luck

I rang them and they went through the right answers, pausing for me to say the ones they were 'testing' like the loo one, and it worked, although I'm pretty sure what I entered was the same...?

They were very helpful though. :T

sunnyjasmina

serendipity2706 wrote: »

Don't know if anyone has seen this, but on the news it also said shopping malls were now all considering a 'no photos' policy.
Looks like we'll all need a good solicitor
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/west-central/273969-shopping-centre-guard-calls-police-over-father-taking-illegal-photographs-of-his-daughter/?stv

I was approached by security recently whilst taking a photo in a shopping mall, he demanded to know what I was doing and told me in no uncertain terms that taking pictures wasn't allowed. I showed him my paperwork and he let me go with a warning!

yonk

Thryth wrote: »

Well that doesn't sound too bad, I was under the impression that tax was indeed taxing! The other thing that is bothering me is how exactly do you pay your tax? It might sound stupid but having never been self employed I'm unsure... Do you just get a bill at the end of the year or pay as you earn?




I wouldn't ask any persons specific earnings. Just a rough estimate of what Mr/Mrs average MSer could look to earn in an average month given an average number of average jobs. I mean you wouldn't go for a new job without asking what the pay was would you? I know that of course it's down to the effort you put in and the number of jobs you do but again I was asking for an average, I work full time and would just be doing it in my spare time.

Ta

You need to register with HMRC and then do a SE page on the self-assessment form.

There is no average. Each person is signed up to different companies and is allocated or selects assignments dependent on their availability and location.

I used to only shop once or twice a month...earlier this year I shopped a lot and at the moment I'm only scheduled to do 2 jobs. It's all up to you.

scubaangel

TractorGirl327 wrote: »

Can't help with the notes, but if they say they will pay - eg - £20 fee and up to £30 reimbursement (oh, we can wish!!!) and you only spend £15, then you'll get a total payment of £20 fee + £15 reimbursement = £35. If you spend £40, you'll get £20 fee + £30 reimbursement = £50. If you spend £100 you'll still get £50.

I know, sorry if I wasn't clear what I was getting at was that this wave they wanted a specific deal to be recommended, so do the notes say they'll reimburse the full deal cost (which is the same as the max reimbursement) or just the cost of a sandwich. As they're only looking to pay me for the sandwich - but not being able to check the notes I have is frustrating.

MysteryMe

Got one of those shops tomorrow. You have to accept the deal if offered and wont be out of pocket.

scubaangel

MysteryMe wrote: »

Got one of those shops tomorrow. You have to accept the deal if offered and wont be out of pocket.

Thats what I thought....but they payment pending only includes the Sandwich and not the full deal. Will have to call them tomorrow to try to sort that one out - it's only a matter of about 30p but its the principle. :mad: