Mystery Shopping Thread 24 *PLEASE READ THE OP FIRST**PLEASE NO CLIENT NAMES OR FEES

skivenov

Glad about that - neeeeeeeeeeeeed a payday badly :eek:

TonyM

Hi, I am retiring from full time work next month - will be 65 - and am thinking of doing MS a couple of days a week - to keep active as much as for supplementing my meagre pension .
I spent about 10 years of my career working as a Pub/Restaurant manager and am particularly interested in this field as well as customer service in general.
Would welcome any advice, information, comments etc. from those experienced in what appears to be a very interesting, rewarding and sometimes frustrating job.
Many thanks in anticipation.

skivenov

Start with the poorer paying agencies to learn the trade. They can be a pain in the !!!!, but if you can get through a few of those, you can adapt to pretty much anything that needs doing. Dropping a nut and doing a (GAP) burger job or a (TNS) quick supermarket for nothing won't hurt as much as something that requires a bigger investment of time.

We've all got our own preferences of stuff we do and don't like doing, I enjoy some jobs that I didn't think I would, once you've got your general confidence in the job up, try a bit of everything, get with as many reputable companies as you can and see what you like.

Experience in an industry is great, but remember to look at things against the measures that have been defined in the brief, rather than how you're trained that things are done. Look through the eyes of a customer, then use your expertise to evaluate and draw conclusions, but only if asked to do so.

Always think in terms of "what's in it for me?" you're running a business not a charity, so don't do a job that you're not getting anything from that you want (be it money, experience, a product that you'd probably buy anyway).

Keep good records.

Make friends with allocators.

pip6789

TonyM wrote: »

Hi, I am retiring from full time work next month - will be 65 - and am thinking of doing MS a couple of days a week - to keep active as much as for supplementing my meagre pension .
I spent about 10 years of my career working as a Pub/Restaurant manager and am particularly interested in this field as well as customer service in general.
Would welcome any advice, information, comments etc. from those experienced in what appears to be a very interesting, rewarding and sometimes frustrating job.
Many thanks in anticipation.

I started with esa and have found them to be very good - they have a contact number in uk and are always happy to help.

mskitten2904

skivenov wrote: »

Glad about that - neeeeeeeeeeeeed a payday badly :eek:

It seems like payments are so slooooooow this month lol probably the awful weather making it feels this way (well for me it is lol)

I do my fair share of moaning I know but I think with regards to all the agencies, it really is just a case of which one suits. I have no problems with AA but TNS and GAP seem to be constant problems for me but I know TNS are well liked with their clients and GAP I'm pretty sure their problem is just a simple overhaul of scenarios in briefs because they have been the same for the 2 years I've been doing it and don't forget the agencies are "just" the middle man doing as their clients ask. I try not to shoot the messenger because they are doing their job best they know how. It is very frustrating sometimes I know this as they can just call another shopper but THAT my friends is the name of the game Get in or get out!

mskitten2904

TonyM wrote: »

Hi, I am retiring from full time work next month - will be 65 - and am thinking of doing MS a couple of days a week - to keep active as much as for supplementing my meagre pension .
I spent about 10 years of my career working as a Pub/Restaurant manager and am particularly interested in this field as well as customer service in general.
Would welcome any advice, information, comments etc. from those experienced in what appears to be a very interesting, rewarding and sometimes frustrating job.
Many thanks in anticipation.

Marketforce have lots of pubs and restaurants and are generally a good start if your new as they question nearly everything and it gives a good base for future calls.

Service Measure/Quest also have a good range of restaurants and hotels and are nice to work for.

The secret eating company which I think is at the top on Google seem to have quite a lot in that area too.

I cant think of anymore off the top of my head but I'm sure other people can help can't you guys?

Big_Graeme

enevel wrote: »

Hi. I've noticed chat on here about TNS train jobs. The only TNS client that ever shows for me on VAS or Sassie is the big supermarket. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks.

Only available to those who have done this one for this client before at the moment.

pip6789

I personally love bare - the entry quiz / tests teach you a lot (bit of a pain) but once thats done great after that & good rates - i especially enjoyed car dealers for simple quotes

gallygirl

pip6789 wrote: »

I personally love bare - the entry quiz / tests teach you a lot (bit of a pain) but once thats done great after that & good rates - i especially enjoyed car dealers for simple quotes

Last time I did that I bought a car .

Steering clear of any show home assessments :rotfl:.

pip6789

gallygirl wrote: »

Last time I did that I bought a car .

Steering clear of any show home assessments :rotfl:.

Hehe - i must say i was close.

Do you know who does show home assessments - i love show homes ??