Mystery Shopping - recommendations?

Becles

Most of the time you make your self known to staff and explain what you are there for. They're ok about you being there and will help if you need access to stockrooms or need info on orders.

I have done a couple of undercover ones though. One was checking prices. I thought that would have been hard to remember them all, so I wrote my items on a 'shopping list' and put the corresponding prices into a text message on my phone. Nobody looks twice at someone sending a text message these days.

Paul_Varjak

If you have a phone with built-in voice recorder, you could pretend you are speaking to someone!

Squiggles_2

blindman wrote:

Register at this site to get the low down re mystery shopping, merchandising and auditing.

Please note, we are not accepting new registrations at the site mentioned - we're full up for the time being! Sorry!

Liney_2

Try https://www.cybershoppers.nop.co.uk reputable company, lots of jobs (if you are London based anyway) and everything is done online. But again I don't think you'll make enough money doing Mystery Shopping alone. I have done it for years and work for several companies but it is more for fun and a bit of extra pocket money! Good luck.

MyUserNamesTaken

Another vote for Optimum Contact here. Can't say much other than that they seem a lot different to other "mystery shopper" companies out there.

Miroslav

Would you have to declare any earnings from mystery shopping?

blindman

Yes.

Some firms will tax you at source, whilst some expect you to tell the taxman.

Miroslav

blindman wrote:

Yes.

Some firms will tax you at source, whilst some expect you to tell the taxman.

It's not for me then, whilst on benefits

blindman

It depends what you want from mystery shopping.

Some jobs will pay you a 'fee' which is the income you have to delcare to the taxman.

Typically this fee is £5-7.00 but can be up to £40.00

Other jobs will not have a fee, but you will have to buy a product (meal, shopping, DIY product) which you can sometimes keep and you will get reimbursed the full cost as EXPENSES which are NOT classed as income.

So, like me, you can get freebies but no additional income.

Miroslav

blindman wrote:

It depends what you want from mystery shopping.

Some jobs will pay you a 'fee' which is the income you have to delcare to the taxman.

Typically this fee is £5-7.00 but can be up to £40.00

Other jobs will not have a fee, but you will have to buy a product (meal, shopping, DIY product) which you can sometimes keep and you will get reimbursed the full cost as EXPENSES which are NOT classed as income.

So, like me, you can get freebies but no additional income.

Sounds simple, but I'd bet the DWP would make it difficult.

May think about it. I've signed up to be notified of one (Wilkinsons, £10 per trip)