Maximising income - Mystery Shopping? Surveys?

Mandles

Has anyone ever been supsected of being a mystery shopper? I have done about 30 assignments and only once in a very quiet pub was i sure that they knew we were mystery shoppers(the reciept asking often is a clue).This was a real local sort of pub where everyone knew everyone in there. It was the best pub lunch and service that i have ever experienced!
It was hilarious and we left in fits of laughter as they must have done about 4 checkbacks , amazingly presented meals and is was like the tv programme cheers as we left to all the bar staff and regulars saying bye ladies with big grins on their faces!!

Becles

The best one was when I got spotted in a burger chain. I had a blue and white stripy jumper on (this bit is important!). It was one in an out of town retail park, so you don't get people on expenses asking for reciepts which I think makes you more obvious.

I'd already done the loos, before ordering the food as I needed to use them. The service was rubbish until I said the magic phrase "can I have a receipt please?" The colour drained from the ladies face and she said in a very loud voice "yes you can have a reciept". Several pairs of eyes looked over from the cooking area and stared at me. I took my food and went and sat down.

The manager came out came out of a side room and I heard someone on the counter say they had a "blue stripy gap problem near the front door". All turned and looked at me.

All of a sudden two people came out with a bucket and mop each. One went into the toilets and the other started cleaning near where I was sitting. Someone else was sent out with a grabber and bin bag to collect the litter from the bushes outside. Another staff member came out with some balloons on sticks for all the children in the restaurant, and another came out with a coffee pot offering free refils to all who had hot drinks.

Some old ladies sitting next to me were also amused by all the activity. They got up to leave and immediately the coffee lady and balloon lady rushed over to take their trays from them. One woman commented "what's going on? The service in here is normal sh*te" :eek: and I don't know how I kept a straight face.

I got up to leave and a lady rushed over to collect my tray too. She asked if my meal was ok, and pointed out that the toilets were over there. I said thanks but I don't need to go, and watched their puzzled faces as I walked out, as they were not sure if I was the shopper or not

I've also mystery shopped a shop where the sales person slagged the previous customer off to me, as she was suspected of being a mystery shopper. That was quite amusing too

redmandarin

Becles wrote:

The best one was when I got spotted in a burger chain. I had a blue and white stripy jumper on (this bit is important!). It was one in an out of town retail park, so you don't get people on expenses asking for reciepts which I think makes you more obvious.

I'd already done the loos, before ordering the food as I needed to use them. The service was rubbish until I said the magic phrase "can I have a receipt please?" The colour drained from the ladies face and she said in a very loud voice "yes you can have a reciept". Several pairs of eyes looked over from the cooking area and stared at me. I took my food and went and sat down.

The manager came out came out of a side room and I heard someone on the counter say they had a "blue stripy gap problem near the front door". All turned and looked at me.

All of a sudden two people came out with a bucket and mop each. One went into the toilets and the other started cleaning near where I was sitting. Someone else was sent out with a grabber and bin bag to collect the litter from the bushes outside. Another staff member came out with some balloons on sticks for all the children in the restaurant, and another came out with a coffee pot offering free refils to all who had hot drinks.

Some old ladies sitting next to me were also amused by all the activity. They got up to leave and immediately the coffee lady and balloon lady rushed over to take their trays from them. One woman commented "what's going on? The service in here is normal sh*te" :eek: and I don't know how I kept a straight face.

I got up to leave and a lady rushed over to collect my tray too. She asked if my meal was ok, and pointed out that the toilets were over there. I said thanks but I don't need to go, and watched their puzzled faces as I walked out, as they were not sure if I was the shopper or not

I've also mystery shopped a shop where the sales person slagged the previous customer off to me, as she was suspected of being a mystery shopper. That was quite amusing too

:rotfl: :rotfl: Ha ha! I hope you reported all of this to the company Becles!

This is a great thread - I wish I had time to read it all - but its vast! I can't become a mystery shopper, as I work full-time and I'm not very mobile (and have no car) it would be too time consuming (shopping, travelling and completing questionnaires) and would result in a very low hourly rate for me. It sounds fun if you have some free time and have a car though!

robin58

Well I've taken the plunge and signed up for the mystery shop acton!

Becles wrote:

. The service was rubbish until I said the magic phrase "can I have a receipt please?" The colour drained from the ladies face and she said in a very loud voice "yes you can have a reciept". Several pairs of eyes looked over from the cooking area and stared at me. I took my food and went and sat down.

I always wondered why I got the look of a rabbit caught in a headlight in some shops when I said that I wanted a reciept, all quite innocently!
:rotfl: :rotfl:

Strange thing is I was recently at a London based pub/diner owned by a large group. After the meal I asked for the vat receipt as I had to reclaim my expenses from my company. I never seen a girl move quick to find the receipt that she had thrown away.

If I had been on an assignment that day, she would have got an excellant report, as she was very friendly and helpful.

An asset to the company she works for. :T

chocaholic110

Done my first mystery shop today and stuck on the invoice.

What do I put in the invoice? The combined total for the job fee plus what I spent? Do i add it together or put the amounts separately? Or do I just put the job fee and send in the receipt?

help! Am panicking now!

advent1122

Becles wrote:

The best one was when I got spotted in a burger chain. I had a blue and white stripy jumper on (this bit is important!). It was one in an out of town retail park, so you don't get people on expenses asking for reciepts which I think makes you more obvious.

I do voluntary work with teenagers which involve a lot of eating in fast food places

I must get a receipt to claim on my expenses, so not all people who ask for receipts are mystery shoppers. I have never encountered any different behaviour from the staff when I ask for a receipt.

Maybe you gave the game away in some other manner. Did you rub your finger along the counter whilst waiting to be served or maybe it was the stopwatch you were carrying.

Mandles

chocaholic110 wrote:

Done my first mystery shop today and stuck on the invoice.

What do I put in the invoice? The combined total for the job fee plus what I spent? Do i add it together or put the amounts separately? Or do I just put the job fee and send in the receipt?

help! Am panicking now!

I always just put the total amount i spent(i include the tip ...its worth a try!) .Just put your expenses & check payment is correct when they pay .

chocaholic110

So i don't include the job fee as well?

Mandles

whos it for? If its TNS, gapbuster or retail eyes no you dont include job fee(neither for any others i would imagine)

Christina_F

I am just doing a report for RE and I was wondering how much I input for the invoice box and for the receipt box? I spent £12 and the allowance was £10

Can anyone help me please?