Maximising income - Mystery Shopping? Surveys?

wannabedebtfree_2

Becles, do you work full time for only one company, or are you signed up to lots of various ones?

So far I am signed up to Grass Roots, Retail Eyes, IMRS, I think thats all!!

I am really concerned about by the time I have paid tax, then lost out on tax credits that it won't be worth the effort, BUT I figured I have to try it, and see how much of a difference it makes.

I have a job to do today, and another to do tomorrow, which involves taking my family out to lunch, something we would not usually be able to afford to do, so that will be nice, if you take into consideration the spends you are allowed to make I think it does make it worth it, I will buy things we need in any shop jobs I get, and to have to occasional meal out as a family will be a huge treat!!

Mule

Chas wrote:

Hi Mule

There are loads of mystery shopping companies out there & some are PAYE (they deduct tax at basic rate unless you use all or part of your tax allowance through their payroll) whilst some work on self employed basis (no tax is deducted & you need to register as self employed with the Inland Revenue & complete a tax return each year).

As mentioned above GFK/NOP (Cybershop) do operate on a PAYE basis. One of the biggest m/s companies, Gapbusters, operate on a self employed basis.

If you restrict your mystery shopping to PAYE companies only you will reduce the amount of work available to you.

Hope this helps

Chas

Hi Chas
Just seen your reply - thank you, that is useful. I have signed up with a couple of companies - one is PAYE and one isn't so I'll see how I get on with those to start with.
Mule

Mike_St_Helens

I love it.. I get to go shopping for free, get paid for it and we have £.... to spend on a damn decent sunday dinner tomorrow !

Mule

Sounds good to me! I hope I get some assignments soon - I really want to try it!

Sarahsaver

You are not supposed to disclose the fact that you do it! :rolleyes:

newleaf

Sarahsaver wrote:

You are not supposed to disclose the fact that you do it! :rolleyes:

It's not really 'disclosure' on here though is it? It's anonymous

WELSH-DRAGON_2

I initially jumped on the bandwagon thinking it would be easy money but it is not and can now appreciate the efforts of the more seasoned mystery shoppers.

Yes it may be free food, but it is having to observe everything, making mental notes of sitting down time, time food is served, who served you and many more factors. I have come to realise it is just not a case of having a meal and then sending a few notes off.

Also, I have completed 4 mystery shops and I have not yet been paid for them. So, I have paid for a meal and await payment, so it's not a good idea doing them if cashflow is tight.

Welshy x

Becles

wannabedebtfree wrote:

Becles, do you work full time for only one company, or are you signed up to lots of various ones?

I'm registered with about 40 companies now. A handful give me regular work, some just give me a few jobs a year. Some jobs you can't be used too often - eg a quick transaction like selecting an item and buying it could be done many times as you are unlikely to be remembered. Buying/enquiring about something where you have to go through a complete sales pitch can only be done infrequently, as after spending a lengthy time with someone and perhaps revealing general facts about yourself in the sales chat, then it's more likely they will remember you.

I also do merchandising and auditing work too.

Merchandising is going into store, making yourself know and with the intention of promoting the companies products. Maybe a more prominent shelf display, secondary sitings (biscuits next to coffee, promo end spaces etc) or putting up Point of Sale Material such as posters, shelf edge barkers, stands etc.

Auditing is just a snapshot of what is in store when you visit. They just want to know things like how much space there product has, what it's selling for, competitor promotions etc. Sometimes this is done openly, so you can sign in and wander round with a clipboard making notes. Sometimes it's done undercover as mystery shopping is, so you just browse as a normal shopper but make discreet notes.

Becles

WELSH-DRAGON wrote:

I initially jumped on the bandwagon thinking it would be easy money but it is not and can now appreciate the efforts of the more seasoned mystery shoppers.

Yes it may be free food, but it is having to observe everything, making mental notes of sitting down time, time food is served, who served you and many more factors. I have come to realise it is just not a case of having a meal and then sending a few notes off.

Also, I have completed 4 mystery shops and I have not yet been paid for them. So, I have paid for a meal and await payment, so it's not a good idea doing them if cashflow is tight.

Good points very well made.

It's not a doddle and if it was easy money, everyone would be doing it!

Cashflow is important for DFW's who may not have the funds available for purchasing more expensive items. Some companies pay expenses promptly, but some can take 6-8 weeks to pay you back. It's a long time to be out of pocket when you are skint!

WELSH-DRAGON_2

I have just had a session on my pc creating sub folders and folders for my mystery shopping assignments and I am pleased to see that I now have 14 mystery shops lined up from tomorrow until the 3rd week of September.

What I like about this is that I can combine it with working, so in my lunch-time I could pop to an assignment, make notes, leave the office, ferry the children to various activities and then when OH is on nights and I cannot get to sleep I can submit my report.

My target is to earn £15 a month to cover cat insurance - anything extra will be a bonus - most are in my home town so when I pop to the shops I can action one then do what I need to do eg pay bills etc. I think the key to it is being organised, being fully briefed, being aware of what you are required to do and being on the ball in submitting reports.

Welshy x