Mystery shopping thread 26 *please read the op first**please no client names or fees

Man_in_a_Suitcase

MysteryMan00 wrote: »

Oh yes, I took it as a given we were talking about the collection jobs.

No way I'm wandering round somewhere making 13 enquiries - probably to the same 3 bemused staff! I think I'd rather visit a travel agent!

They aren't that bad. At the smaller supermarkets you just make 2 enquiries and 2 purchases, the rest are observations. It's stuff I'd be buying anyway. It can be awkward if you keep getting the same person though. The bigger supermarkets and the non-food stores are harder work though. I agree, the collections are my favourite jobs too. Much quicker to do and report back on.

BeckyD79

Hi guys,

Sorry if this has been answered before, but I have read through 60+ pages of posts and can’t find what I’m looking for.

I’ve done a few pub visits over the last few months with a couple of MS companies. I’ve kept all the receipts and information but now want to start summarising it ready for my tax return.

I’m happy that all income whether it’s fee’s or reimbursements, should go as income, but I am confused as to what expenses can be claimed against the different types of income. I have come across 4 scenarios which I have noted below, along with my thoughts on what I can claim. I’m happy with regards to other expenses such as mileage and use of home as office, its more the direct costs I am interested in.

1) I am asked to purchase a specific item (eg fish pie) and reimbursed in full
The cost of the fish pie is NOT allowable, nor any drink or side dishes I may order

2) I am asked to order a vague item (eg a main course) and reimbursed in full
The cost of the main course is NOT allowable, nor any drink or side dishes I may order

3) I am asked to order a specific item (eg sausage & mash) but paid a set contribution towards this, and no reimbursement. I assume a contribution is classed as a fee?
The full cost of the sausage & mash IS allowable, irrespective of whether it is more or less than what is paid as a contribution. The cost of any drink or additional items are NOT allowable.

4) I am asked to order a vague item (eg a drink) but paid a set contribution towards this, and no reimbursement. Assuming (as above) that the contribution is a fee,then;
The cost of the drink IS allowable up to the fee paid. Anything above this is NOT allowable. Eg I am paid £5 to order a drink, but I order a cocktail at £8. I can claim £5 as an allowable expense. But what if there is nothing on the menu for under £5 and therefore I have to spend more than this to do the task? Does this mean the full cost of the drink IS allowable? Or should this be limited to what the cheapest thing is on the menu??

Please let me know if I’ve got the above totally wrong. I know there is no definitive answer, but any information regarding what others do, and what is considered best practice would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Becky

Big_Graeme

MysteryMan00 wrote: »

Oh yes, I took it as a given we were talking about the collection jobs.

The delivery jobs are even better :-D

MysteryMan00

I will tell you what I do, but other people may do different things.

I think there are some conflicting tax principles for some reimbursements and could be argued either way. I try to play fair but, at the same time, I don't believe all reimbursements are taxable (or, to be more accurate - I always treat the reimb as taxable income, the question is whether I claim a tax deduction for what I spend)

- Where I am obliged to eat out, I class that as deductible (after classing whatever I get as reimbursement as income). I argue the meal is a compulsory purchase that must be bought and consumed to do the job. If I'm out all day, I would also argue the food is part of my "travel and subsistence" costs for the day - which is a better argument.

- Where I get to buy things I take home I don't treat it as deductible. I consider the items to have some non-shopping/lasting benefit so aren't "wholly and exclusively" incurred to do the shop.

- I claim mileage for miles driven and food and drink bought and consumed when I'm out and about shopping all day away from home (whether as part of a shop or bought separate) - these are travel and subsistence costs incurred to do my work.

HTH!

[Deleted User]

I too seem to have lost GR, there is nothing on there since July and I am in a catchment area with 5 of their stores. No collection, delivery or multi question ones, not even the chemist. No other customer either.

MysteryMe

Yeah, something is up with the GR supermarket. Been MIA for a couple of months for me too.

Larac

MysteryMe wrote: »

Yeah, something is up with the GR supermarket. Been MIA for a couple of months for me too.

Last one I did was August - but I have had gaps in the past of a few months so guess they are rotating shoppers at the moment as otherwise there is a risk the same peeps get the jobs and client might want to see a different perspective. I keep being offered their phone jobs, which are miles away and the fee don't cover the effort. Must be getting desperate on those as keep getting called up and GR very rarely call. I think their chemists have gone to another agency.

Man_in_a_Suitcase

Does anyone know any MSCs that do similar supermarket visits to GR? I know about GFK and MF.

Man_in_a_Suitcase

GR supermarket jobs are back, with a lower fee, but less to do.

MysteryMe

Yes, talk of the devil a couple of quick supermarket jobs popped up. I've not done a phone job with them. I did a TNS phone job that was horrendous so it's put me off doing them now. Pity the DS client went bust, that was not too bad a job.