Mystery Shopping Thread 25 *PLEASE READ THE OP FIRST**PLEASE NO CLIENT NAMES OR FEES

hsa_3

mrbanjo wrote: »

I know, but am shocked as to how low people will go in the MS world

I think the point is not how much you get paid per hour (you take the choice if you ar eprepared to accept it or not) but what the shop actually thinks its getting for what it pays. The old adage "if you pay peanuts you get monkeys" still applies. If you want a considered, well written MS, pay for it. If you want a few notes and a rushed visit which tells you nothing, pay a derisory sum. Though how we get this message to the retailers I don't know. I can only hope that the recession ending will stop this crazy price war between our clients.

enevel

hsa wrote: »

I can only hope that the recession ending will stop this crazy price war between our clients.

'Recession ending...' - LOL. '...will stop this crazy price war between our clients' - double LOL.

If you haven't worked it out by now, I really fear for you. The entire success of our economy is presently based on driving down labour costs.

shell_belle

I don't do MF jobs because they pay a lot. At first I took them to get experience to help me work with other companies who pay more (which they did as they are a great training ground) and when I realised that other companies were paying more, I took the advice of the more seasoned MS's on this board and took them when I had another job in the area etc as a wee bit extra or a way to pay for lunch. Now I take them if I'm looking for a way to have an affordable night out with the OH. As many of the others have said on here, if you don't like them, then don't do them. Simples!

mskitten2904

I've decided not to take the bigger ESA stores on at the moment as they are the same fee as regular stores. The smaller petrol stores are less so what makes ESA or the client think bigger stores should be the same fees as regular ones? It should be staggered if the petrol stores are lower and less work as the bigger are more work than the regular. If you understand me.

JohnnyG

I've found MF are ok for the odd lunch assignment, especially if I've lined up a number of visits and know I'm going to need a lunch. Apart from that, I've dropped MF completely, not even interested in the bookie jobs, now they've reduced those fees too :-(

Big_Graeme

JohnnyG wrote: »

I've found MF are ok for the odd lunch assignment, especially if I've lined up a number of visits and know I'm going to need a lunch. Apart from that, I've dropped MF completely, not even interested in the bookie jobs, now they've reduced those fees too :-(

I did the two right over the road from my office but I've dropped all the others, even with a decent win those combined assignments are far too much effort.

JohnnyG

Big_Graeme wrote: »

I did the two right over the road from my office but I've dropped all the others, even with a decent win those combined assignments are far too much effort.

Yeah it's a real shame too, as I've always enjoyed a quick bet. I will keep checking MF though, just in case they go back up

samtastic7

*manzy* wrote: »

At first I was appalled by the MF lowcost food shop's fee but then realised that I drive past it every other day so now do it on occasion to stock up on fruit. The report takes minutes and the way I see it I've got some free fruit without going out of way and with not much effort.

must admit the report on these is so so simple like you say if your passing..

Cybi-Ping

*manzy* wrote: »

At first I was appalled by the MF lowcost food shop's fee but then realised that I drive past it every other day so now do it on occasion to stock up on fruit. The report takes minutes and the way I see it I've got some free fruit without going out of way and with not much effort.

If you're in the area, the time needed in store, plus the time to fill in the report is probably somewhere near minimum wage if you take the reimbursement into account too.

I know minimum wage isn't law for the self employed but it's my guideline when I read a brief. If a jobs worth your while then do it, if it isn't leave it well alone.

weeg

Just did one of my all time favourites - an online shop for posh undies. No fee, but decent reimbursement for a great product at 80% off (ie just for the 20% income tax). And a great product I would never otherwise justify buying for myself. And now I'm off out for a no fee dinner.

Mostly, I'm in this for the money, but I'll do reimbursement jobs happily, for something I need/ like/ want.