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

Genie75

Jo4 wrote: »

As a goodwill gesture they are going to make payment this time and this time only. :j

I hope you've got that in an email from them. They didn't pay me in full for March, promised to pay in May - then 'Surprise, Surprise!' they didn't pay :mad: Luckily I had email proof, and they've promised it for June. Typical Gap really Any other company would have paid and taken the wrong date on the receipt as an issue that needs addressing, not an excuse not to pay (but probably still use your report!).

Mrs_E_Shopper

Becles wrote: »

Merchandising is trial and error. You need to try a few different types of call to see what suits you best. Some calls do take longer than expected, but others can be much quicker so you end up quids in on those.

I did a bank one and it did take ages and I hated doing it. However a friend loves doing them and is much quicker than me.

There's one local store I'm reluctant to go in now as the managers always keep you waiting for ages to see them, even if you make an appointment. When you're paid a flat rate for the job, there's no profit in standing about waiting to speak to someone!

Thanks for the reply. My feelings about the banking one are even stronger than hatred. I found the work absolutely exhausting and also soul destroying for the amount I earned doing it. My first one was in a very large branch and it took me exactly twice as long as I was paid for. As a knock on effect I could not then do the second job I had planned to get to so that the travel costs could be shared so I lost even more money! :mad: :mad: :mad: I was not a happy shopper.

System

Does anyone do the Valued Opinions Surveys? I have got £15 of pending credits and sick of waiting for them to clear so I can cash them in!!! Taking ages!! :mad:

Freyagirl

aniseedball wrote: »

Sorry, I cant help as I've never done merchandising. I don't fancy them, though I love mystery shopping and auditing. Would anyone say its worth giving a go?:beer:

I have been doing mystery shopping for a few months now and am interested in trying auditing, are there specific companies that do auditing? If not how do you register for auditing as well as MS?
Thanks

Dormouse

rachelja wrote: »

Does anyone do the Valued Opinions Surveys? I have got £15 of pending credits and sick of waiting for them to clear so I can cash them in!!! Taking ages!! :mad:

I do VO, and have just ordered £15 in Boots vouchers :j No idea how long they take to come through (up to 28 days or something :rolleyes:), and you're right, they take ages to clear as well.

Hey ho, it's free.

Sunshine_and_Roses

This is probably a really thick question, but if you are signed up with companies who pay the tax for you (ie Cybershoppers), does this mean that you do not need to do anything regarding notifying IR?

Also, which companies sort all your tax out for you? There is enough paperwork involved with mystery shopping without having to do tax returns as well!

Thanks

jobbingmusician

Freyagirl wrote: »

I have been doing mystery shopping for a few months now and am interested in trying auditing, are there specific companies that do auditing? If not how do you register for auditing as well as MS?
Thanks

AFAIK most companies who do auditing (the clown one springs to mind) won't consider you until you have proved yourself as an excellent MS. I've been asking for well over a year, and have only just been offered the application form (and still no work). I'm not razor keen, though, as I now have a very demanding day job. Hope this helps

Timmne

Are greyed jobs on GAP grey for a reason? If so, what is it?

Ta

Timmne

Just thought I'd share with you a job I did last week (and would appreciate comments too)....

Accepted a job for an MS company for £30 reimbursement and £5 fee and it was for a regular pub group that usually provides good quality but affordable food, so I thought great!

Turned up at the time I had booked the table for and quickly realised that me and GF were VERY much underdressed (wearing jeans and casual tops) - this place was VERY high end and we looked totally out of place. There wasn't any warning on the job brief though....

Also the cheapest meal on the menu was the token vegetarian option and it was over half of the reimbursement - meaning that we'd have overspent the reimbursement before we'd bought the coke, wine/beer and the cappuccino!

I worked it out and to buy all the things they'd asked us to at the lowest price would have cost us £39.75 meaning we'd have made a loss of £4.75!

Just wanted to let people know so that they know to research the place before visiting!! (And I've learned too!)

Mrs_E_Shopper

Freyagirl wrote: »

I have been doing mystery shopping for a few months now and am interested in trying auditing, are there specific companies that do auditing? If not how do you register for auditing as well as MS?
Thanks

I have PM'd you with the one company I do auditing with. Didn't want to mention it on the main thread as I have been moaning about the way they organise their jobs in recent posts.