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

Larac

preecey wrote: »

I'm getting increasingly frustrated with MSL. I've only worked with them for a short while but I'm largely unimpressed with the way they do things. I hate the fact that all jobs I apply for are not self assign jobs (and they take ages to approve the applications), and the demeanour of the staff over the phone is quite frankly abysmal.

They've got far too many clients and it's also a pain having to look through the board to find a suitable job.

Think I'll stick to what I know and love. I have absolutely no qualms with GfK. Love the Cybershop system and everyone at their helpdesk is friendly.

Have to agree with you that the staff attitude at MSL is pretty PP. I found that I would apply for jobs and not get any allocations and gave up on them for a long time. It would be alot easier if they would at least allocate some of the simpler jobs as self assign. The way it appears to get jobs with them is to pick a job with an early date on it, rather than one at the end of the due date. I suspect they allocate jobs first to those that pick up jobs early and then use later dates for 'backup shoppers' so if the first shopper does not do the assigment they will use a backup. They also send out emails when they are desperate, so you can usually get those. They are often used as a overflow for other MS companies, who cant shift jobs and pay a higher fee. (Currently I am seeing the BB enquiries which ESA are finding it difficul to shift)

preecey

Agree with you with regards to the simpler enquiries. The 'sending things in the post' jobs that TNS had on their system was always self assign, now that MSL are looking after this for TNS, why are they set to application only? Simple jobs like that should be self assign.

Yes ESA are finding it very difficult to shift the BB jobs and I've noticed them outsourcing to MSL too.

Glad I'm not the only one who agreed with me on MSL's sstaff attitude. A young woman with the initials 'RC' always seems to have it in for me, like MarketForce's 'PC'.

Larac

preecey wrote: »

Agree with you with regards to the simpler enquiries. The 'sending things in the post' jobs that TNS had on their system was always self assign, now that MSL are looking after this for TNS, why are they set to application only? Simple jobs like that should be self assign.

Yes ESA are finding it very difficult to shift the BB jobs and I've noticed them outsourcing to MSL too.

Glad I'm not the only one who agreed with me on MSL's sstaff attitude. A young woman with the initials 'RC' always seems to have it in for me, like MarketForce's 'PC'.

I used to do loads of the post jobs when they were with TNS as you could put them in a circuit with other jobs. Sometimes if you were lucky you could 2/3 in an area. I very rarely do them now as MSL allocate vary rarely. They seem to have loads of bank jobs and you can understand why they languish on the board due to the need to be credit checked or produce 2/3 months worth of bank statements. Got to to the point where I rarely bother to look as when you do apply there is a high risk of not getting the job.

Doc_N

Because Mystery Dining is a close relation to the subject of this thread (and it contains a few related posts) but really needs its own thread, I've started one here just for dining in case it's of use for diners wishing to discuss issues which they're prevented from discussing in Mystery Dining internal forums because of the heavy censorship employed there:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5562800

Sassers

Just to warn people doing the current Gyp shops with the 'big orange hardware store'. The Gyp system crashes at the final submission of the report. Sigh - two hours later.....! I have emailed them and the fee for two of these shops were very good but it does make you wonder at times why you go back and do shops for this firm. (I know I've just answered my own question lol)

ANGELFLOWER

Sassers, what are these jobs like? I haven't done one as the brief seems to scream mystery shopper. It is an odd brief to do, as a normal person wouldn't do it!

Big_Graeme

Sassers? You can name the company.

Sassers

Hello BG and Graeme :wave: The firm is Gapbuster. I have worked with them for 10 years but in that time as the mystery shops have got more detailed and sillier (!) - I can only bear to do jobs for them in small doses as they can try the patience of a saint. And I really am a patient person, so be warned!
Where I live Gap have three clients at the moment they really struggle with. Gap ripped me off twice on a McDonalds shop a couple of years ago. So I am mercenary with them when negotiating a fee - but only when they are desperate I admit that. If you want to work for Gap, then what a lot of people don't realise that when they really are desperate they'll pay up to £35 a shop. When usually it's £10 or £12. Worth playing the waiting game.
However I certainly earned my money with both the Gap shops this weekend though. Blimey...
...and yes the scenarios are a bit silly. If I'm returning goods, I usually turn it into a joke and say I'm going to murder my husband because he's already bought the same things - usually works!

GlasweJen

I accepted a job that a MS co were desperate for me to do. The email just said charity shop visit but I've just read the brief and I've to return my item. Do people really return purchases to charity shops?

Sassers

I've never heard of a MS in a charity shop before GlasweJen - but then I only tend to stick with three companies!