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

Cairoxxx

Nope, not at all. I'm getting a little fed up of trawling through loads and loads of small reimbursement drinks only or sandwich places which seem to be hanging about for AGES. Used to be a time that it was FFF and that (decent) jobs never hung about, these days the decent ones seem to be few and far between.

missymouse

The restaurant pizza jobs on MF don't seem to be going quick, can't think why��

Perhaps we are all wising up a bit and plus the reimbursement has stayed the same for too long but menu prices have risen.

MysteryMe

Has anyone done the chemist with one exit survey. There are no details in the brief as to what is required and I like to know what I am letting myself in for before accepting the visit!

so_very_confused

If it's the same one I have done and I cannot think who for, it's very easy and straightforward. You stop a couple of customers leaving the store and ask if they were happy.

MysteryMe

Thanks for that.:)

Little_Miss_Naughty

Hi
Does anybody using Roamler have a referral code?

MannieF

I would add that apart from these items: Equipment - things you'll need to get a good start with most assignments
Stopwatch (or a timer on your mobile can be useful)
Scanner
Printer
Notepad & pen (pocket sized!)
Camera/camera phone

You also need to subscribe/pay to join to a service to record phone calls (reliably). You will be hired as a self-employed volunteer and some of these companies are very much part of the 'gig' economy. You are a self-employed 'volunteer' yet you have to give the company intellectual property rights to your reviews and are not allowed to post reviews on social media or review sites, but they can post images you submit on their social media site. Also, there is an increasing trend where you are only paid a portion of the cost of mystery shopping experience and are expected to supplement the cost for a couple of a visit; if you are identified as a mystery shopper, the company will not advocate for you and will say that they will not refund your expenses ie £50 for a visit; so they can be quite ruthless and have like 2,000 plus people on their books so everyone is a number and disposable, unless you have been doing it for several years. Generally, they seem to be looking for people who are younger, faster and cheaper. Also, reports can take 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours to complete and are written by clients and can appear non-sensical. Even though it is described as mystery shopping or 'market research', it is more like completing PR or marketing surveys about companies that being a consumer advocate; that is not what they want. These companies turn out million pa profits by massaging and reinforcing ego of their clients, and too much negative feedback is not appreciated - in some cases.

Hydra101

MannieF wrote: »

You also need to subscribe/pay to join to a service to record phone calls (reliably). You will be hired as a self-employed volunteer and some of these companies are very much part of the 'gig' economy. You are a self-employed 'volunteer' yet you have to give the company intellectual property rights to your reviews and are not allowed to post reviews on social media or review sites, but they can post images you submit on their social media site. Also, there is an increasing trend where you are only paid a portion of the cost of mystery shopping experience and are expected to supplement the cost for a couple of a visit; if you are identified as a mystery shopper, the company will not advocate for you and will say that they will not refund your expenses ie £50 for a visit; so they can be quite ruthless and have like 2,000 plus people on their books so everyone is a number and disposable, unless you have been doing it for several years. Generally, they seem to be looking for people who are younger, faster and cheaper. Also, reports can take 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours to complete and are written by clients and can appear non-sensical. Even though it is described as mystery shopping or 'market research', it is more like completing PR or marketing surveys about companies that being a consumer advocate; that is not what they want. These companies turn out million pa profits by massaging and reinforcing ego of their clients, and too much negative feedback is not appreciated - in some cases.

Seriously? What?? You don't have to pay to record phone calls, you can get plenty of excellent quality apps to download for free. And 2 1/2 to 3 hours to complete a report???? Are you kidding me??? Longest one has ever taken me is 30 minutes. I'm guessing you've had a couple of bad experiences given your post, but some of what you say is, quite frankly, utter rubbish.

MysteryMe

Well some of it is accurate to be fair.

Certainly mystery shoppers are treated as an unvalued disposable commodity to many mystery shopping companies.

Also depends on the assignment but some involve reports that would take longer than 30 mins. I've taken an hour on some reports, only for those assignments where the fee makes it worthwhile though.

Doc_N

Hydra101 wrote: »

Seriously? What?? You don't have to pay to record phone calls, you can get plenty of excellent quality apps to download for free. And 2 1/2 to 3 hours to complete a report???? Are you kidding me??? Longest one has ever taken me is 30 minutes. I'm guessing you've had a couple of bad experiences given your post, but some of what you say is, quite frankly, utter rubbish.

You've obviously not had any dealings with HGEM (Mystery Dining)! Minimal reimbursements in most cases (well under £10 for reports taking as long as a couple of hours) and very few restaurants these days - mainly fast food outlets.