Mystery Shopping Thread 23 *PLEASE READ THE OP FIRST**PLEASE NO CLIENT NAMES OR FEES

HeavensDevil

susie-sue wrote: »

I'm still waiting for payment for some jobs I did in February, March, April and May!!! I'd say they're disorganised rather than struggling though...I hope!

I've been fortunate in getting paid for the actual jobs I've done, but has anyone ever been paid for any of the phone visit briefings? I attended three, one each in Feb, March and April, but nothing. They also didn't pay me the full cost of posting my dictaphone back in early March.

Siouxsie32

HeavensDevil wrote: »

I've been fortunate in getting paid for the actual jobs I've done, but has anyone ever been paid for any of the phone visit briefings? I attended three, one each in Feb, March and April, but nothing. They also didn't pay me the full cost of posting my dictaphone back in early March.

The phone briefings are all still on my list of unpaid jobs!

Big_Graeme

MiddyMum wrote: »

Thats fair enough, its been verified now anyway. I have to admit I cant believe how long winded some of the applications are for these MS companies.

They are but you only have to do it once, the more in depth you go the better chance you have of getting the chance of the good jobs,

On thing I do have to say is they are a friendly lot round here but remember many have worked hard to get to where they are, we'll help but we are not going to open our contact book and give everything away.

misssarahleigh wrote: »

Just wait till you get in deep enough to have to write a test shop. Thats boring!

I now have three ready to go, a hotel, a restaurant and a jewellery visit, saves time.

susie-sue wrote: »

I just had a call from the head office of a car showroom I visited for a TNS job. I told them I was driving so they're going to call back. Any advice on whether I should speak to them or not?

Why not speak to them, if the job is over just say that you've bought another model, if the job is still going you now don't have to wait the seven days to complete it.

whitelabel

how strict are tern contact lens checks on astigmatisms... i can see it says no varifocal but not mention them in the job brief but i think i recall it in the test, ive now been told ive got a mild one and can take or leave the toric lenses or stick with normal cheaper contacts - will it rule me out from the checks ?

going to check with tern tomorrow but just wondering peoples views

dazza.mk

jasper1984 wrote: »

Yep. And they can't now pay until the end of August. Some fees date back to May. Either very poorly organised, or they are struggling....

Not actually struggling, as part of WPP you can't get much bigger. Just probably the case that we aren't really a priority for such a big company.

I remember people saying a month of so ago that payments from First Tracking had suddenly fallen into chaos as they were being taken over.... and guess by who?
http://www.wpp.com/wpp/companies/officedetail.htm?id=7044

Paying us isn't really a priority.

DevilsAdvocate1

MiddyMum wrote: »

Thats fair enough, its been verified now anyway. I have to admit I cant believe how long winded some of the applications are for these MS companies.

I think its easy to forget that for the MS companies this is their livelihood. For you, it might be a hobby to make a bit extra on the side. However, the companies concerned take it very seriously because it isn't a hobby for them.

Personally, if the application process puts off someone who is not going to take it seriously, then I don't think that's a bad thing. Some companies let anyone sign up but these tend to be the ones which do not pay as well and want you to jump through loads of hoops because they are foreever being let down.

mimi1234

ABA and RA pending for Monday.

jasper1984

dazza.mk wrote: »

Not actually struggling, as part of WPP you can't get much bigger. Just probably the case that we aren't really a priority for such a big company.

I remember people saying a month of so ago that payments from First Tracking had suddenly fallen into chaos as they were being taken over.... and guess by who?
http://www.wpp.com/wpp/companies/officedetail.htm?id=7044

Paying us isn't really a priority.

While we're not a priority for WPP, TNS UK is a small division of that parent company. TNS UK will have their own accounts department, their own payroll etc and for any company, paying your suppliers should be a priority.

If TNS are struggling, it's not like they can just dip into the WPP bank account for help. The debts will mount until WPP decide to pull the plug.

Or, like you say, they could just be terribly unorganised, but all businesses know who they owe, because they get reminded of it every day. I'll be reminding TNS every day leading up to the next pay run. If they don't pay out (again), it can't be because they have forgotten, so it must be because cash flow is tight.

tas123

dazza.mk wrote: »

Not actually struggling, as part of WPP you can't get much bigger. Just probably the case that we aren't really a priority for such a big company.

I remember people saying a month of so ago that payments from First Tracking had suddenly fallen into chaos as they were being taken over.... and guess by who?
http://www.wpp.com/wpp/companies/officedetail.htm?id=7044

Paying us isn't really a priority.

I did wonder why I been paid by cheque from First Tracking rather than by BACS and then the cheque was wrong and I had to send it back at my own cost.

Big_Graeme

I don't think TNS are in any danger of going under any time soon, more a case of the client being a bit delayed signing off on the results delaying payments to TNS and hence payments to us.

Also TNS seem to be fine if you get the paperwork in on time and correct first time, any queries or not claiming fees etc seems to cause delays their end.