Maximising income - Mystery Shopping? Surveys? (Part Two)

ella_ella_ella

I did it!!

but it was terrible lol the staff were awful and just fobbed me off with an appointment over and over - wouldnt give me any info at all.

I have just spent hours doing the report and writing out loads of objective answers because every question on the form got a 'no' and it wanted to know why.

I feel as though i have written a fair report but im just dissapointed it didnt go the way i thought but hey its not my fault they were miserable and mean is it??

jobbingmusician

Yes, it can be upsetting if the staff are carp, can't it? Just think how useful your report will be to the client, though. I always hope it will spark off some good training...:o

full-time-mum

Timmne wrote: »

I'm guessing you're posting under an alias name as it's your first post - which says to me you know the advice you're giving is wrong....

Lindsay, it just isn't worth not telling the tax office. People get exasperated with tax forms and at first sight assume they're hard before really having a go. I would take a deep breath and have another go!

The tax office issue a tax return guide which will help you fill it in - also if you go to your local tax office they'll help you fill it in if you take your records along with you.

Of course if you need any help on the return we're all here to help and me being an accountant may be of some use to you - I'm always around to help!

(not sure how old your post was though as I can't remember seeing it in the last page or so!)

I second this. I've just done my first tax return and it was a bit of a nightmare, but now that I've gone through it, it'll be a doddle next time. My main problem was conflicting advice when I rang the tax helpline. It also took a while to get registered for an online return - so don't leave it until the last minute. I mainly got confused over self-employed, PAYE and non-PAYE jobs.

I did a half day course at my local tax office when I first registered as self-employed and this got me started. I have a spreadsheet which I keep track of everything on based on the model forms given on the course.

Its just not worth getting caught.

full-time-mum

ella_ella_ella wrote: »

I did it!!

but it was terrible lol the staff were awful and just fobbed me off with an appointment over and over - wouldnt give me any info at all.

I have just spent hours doing the report and writing out loads of objective answers because every question on the form got a 'no' and it wanted to know why.

I feel as though i have written a fair report but im just dissapointed it didnt go the way i thought but hey its not my fault they were miserable and mean is it??

Most of the time, the experience is good with maybe the odd minor mistake on the part of the staff but you do get the odd difficult one.

full-time-mum

jo1972 wrote: »

I've somehow managed to get myself 9 MSs for this weekend alone, don't think my mobile is gonna stand up to it!! :rotfl:

How do you manage to get so many? I've struggled to get that number in the whole year. Never seen any department store assignments - which agencies are you registered with?

I think that I live in low assignment availability area and that there are several of us after the same jobs - I never seem to be quick enough off the mark.

Sarahsaver

Other hints for remembering what you have to do.
Write a 'shopping list' in small scruffy writing, or else if like me you know other languages, then write in a foreign language.
If you have a smart phone you can write loads of memos and notes to yourself which can be easier than oding a text (my phone makes me save unsent texts in my drafts folder) I would NEVER take my printed notes out in a shop. Going to the loo is useful , especially if you have to check the loos somewhere! You can sit and do your notes there.
IF anyone were to question your request for a receipt something like 'business expenses' or 'I am keeping track of my spending!'

Timmne

I always make sure I'm wearing my suit (usually try and do shops on the way home from work) and ask for a VAT receipt!

Sounds really [EMAIL="w@nky"]w@nky[/EMAIL] but makes me look like the average muppet businessman!

Timmne

Member no.1 of the 'I'm not in a clique' group :rotfl:

Ha have just seen your signature - I want to join!!

jo1972

Lola, thanks for the mobile recording tip - didn't think of that!

Fulltimemum, I'm signed up with loads of places, but the main ones I work for are BareInternational, GfK, Gap and ABA.

I have seen very large dept stores advertised with GAP and more common high street department stores with ABA.

Gfk tend to have the more fun jobs though in my opinion.

Can anyone tell me the companies that do restaurants (not golden arch type ones but 'proper' meals )

Timmne

Retail Eyes is the one you want - it's what's made me the (porkier than I'd like to be) man I am today!