Maximising income - Mystery Shopping? Surveys?

System

stephi103 wrote:

Oh I did apply to them. Sent the form off last week. So does it take ages for the practice assignment to come through?

Once I had sent the form back they sent me an email with a link to the practise assignment. It is taking ages to do, but that is probably my fault for being a little lazy and also the site I chose to assess. :rolleyes:

chocaholic110

I am probably being a bit thick but have two pub assignments coming up where first you order two drinks then sit down and order food. Do I need receipts for both or just the food? Thinking I may look a little odd asking for drinks receipt but if I don't does that mean don't get that refunded?

Chas

Chocaholic - I would check with the mystery shopping company.

Dormouse

bargainshopper wrote:

Can I just ask one more question though (Sorry). Which site do people tend to think is the best in terms of getting assignments? (I appreciate you may all say different ones but thought it might be interesting to find out). Personally I like TNS best because at the moment it seems to be the only one that is getting me jobs.

I think it totally depends on your area and whether there are other MSers around.

Most of my assignments come from Gap, RE and TNS. I get a few from NOP, and Grassroots email me maybe twice a month (I'd love to do more work for them as I quite like their jobs). There's several companies I don't ever hear from at all, so I assume they've already got regular shoppers in my area.

I do quite a lot of GAP jobs, and although they don't pay much at all, the questionnaires are very quick and easy to fill in.

hilary1

chocaholic110 wrote:

I am probably being a bit thick but have two pub assignments coming up where first you order two drinks then sit down and order food. Do I need receipts for both or just the food? Thinking I may look a little odd asking for drinks receipt but if I don't does that mean don't get that refunded?

I do these chocoholic.

It would be very unusual to ask for a receipt at the bar.

I claim the total allowance ie £20 or whatever which generally doesnt cover the meal and a drink anyway - not for 2, and view it that its virtually a free meal out. Occasionally the alowance is higher such as I've got one on Friday with a £40 allowance and its still a pub?

Anyone noticed that a certain company has stopped paying fees for these, you just get the meal/drink allowance? Stops them having to pay you holiday pay aswell I noticed.

chocaholic110

Thanks for that.

So you claim the whole amount even if the meals don't come to that?

We are looking at it as a free meal anyway - going Christmas shopping to the city where the MS is and thought may as well have a subsidised lunch while we're there.

Genie75

As Chas said, check with the company.

Some will not let you claim the full expenses if you don't spend up to the full amount. Remember that if you do , for example, claim £20 when you have spent £15 - the extra £5 is taxable. Also, although it may be unusual to ask for a receipt when buying a drink on a bar, in my experience the MS company will still expect you to get a receipt. HTH

Chas

hilary1 wrote:

It would be very unusual to ask for a receipt at the bar.

It might be unusual but if the client wants a receipt then you have to ask for one, otherwise you won't get paid.

I'm all for asking other mystery shoppers for their advice but there are some questions that can only be answered by the mystery shopping company.

Even if you are only doing the job for a 'free' night out it would be blooming annoying to pay for a meal then find you can't claim the money back. Not only that, but failing to follow the brief may affect your chances of being offered future work.

Rachie_B

i have done a few which require a drinks order first , then sit down for food ,and it has stated on the brief that only the food receipt is required

check your brief and if in doubt email them

melaniec_2

chocaholic110 wrote:

I am probably being a bit thick but have two pub assignments coming up where first you order two drinks then sit down and order food. Do I need receipts for both or just the food? Thinking I may look a little odd asking for drinks receipt but if I don't does that mean don't get that refunded?

I did one of these at the weekend. We didn't get a reciept for the first set of drinks but did for the meal and the second drink. I claimed for it all but stated I didn't have a receipt for the first set of drinks, we'll see what happens and I'll let you know.

Top tip, if this is for retail eyes - make sure you read your notes and questionnaire thoroughly, I had to give some very specific answers when i filled in the online questionnaire eg what was behind the bar.

Like you I was going Christmas shopping in that town and so I would have eaten lunch out anyway so no loss just gain!