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

Dormouse

southwester wrote: »

Morning all

Has anybody heard of these two companies

TEST AND VOTE - Paid survey site
arvatoloyalty - Mystery Shop

The latter has asked me to do a mystery shop in a furntiure store, pretend to purchase a sofa, pay deposit go back out, fill in questionnaire and go back in and tell them I am a mystery shopped and cancel all papers. Is this normal, I am a little reluctant to hand over credit card details for that sort of amount. Also they can apparantly bypass any credit check??

They will pay me £x plus expenses

Hi,

Yes, I've dealt with both companies. Arvato are totally respectable, I've done a furniture visit for them too. Please note you are not allowed to mention fees here though, so please amend your post!

Test & Vote are a bit controversial - they're legit and all that, just very slow at paying out the rewards. See this thread here

Gemmzie

Grrr someone else is now working the same area as me and taking every job available. I think I'll have to give up, there isn't even enough to cover the £2.10 a week NI anymore

Timmne

You shouldn't be paying the class 2 NI anyway, unless you're earning over £4,300! Cancel that payment - you're losing money!

Yours is the biggest reason to not tell people about mystery shopping - they do it too!

Gemmzie

How do I not pay that? Argh, that's £40 down the drain then!

I haven't told anyone

Timmne

Follow the links on this thread, on page 1. Sometimes people are too honest and careful, like you - it's a shame the revenue don't tell you when you're paying too much!

I made the mistake of telling a colleague when I first started MSing and I've had to tell her to keep it quiet as she was so excited!

Dormouse

Gemmzie wrote: »

How do I not pay that? Argh, that's £40 down the drain then!

You have to apply for a small earnings exemption certificate.

There are situations where it's beneficial to pay NI even if you don't have to (this is probably not relevant to you, Gemmzie, but I thought I'd mention it anyway in case someone wants to know ). E.g. if claiming maternity allowance you'll get loads more money if you've been paying NI than if you haven't.

Gemmzie

It might be actually... I'm due to be off sick soon, going for an operation, so it might work in my favour SSP wise

ilean

Position Filled[EMAIL="eflaherty1@yahoo.co.uk"][/EMAIL]

debtfree1day

Hi If they talk about approved expenses of 35 euros which I think is a bout £24, but I only spend £12 on the job, can I claim the rest towards petrol and printing etc etcor will they only pay the receipts - i.e £12?CheersLisa

jobbingmusician

debtfree1day wrote: »

Hi If they talk about approved expenses of 35 euros which I think is a bout £24, but I only spend £12 on the job, can I claim the rest towards petrol and printing etc etcor will they only pay the receipts - i.e £12?CheersLisa

If it was a hotel visit, I think they will only pay on your receipts - but why don't you try to claim the lot (you have nothing to lose!)