Maximising income - Mystery Shopping? Surveys? (Part Three)

jeni-b_2

Thanks everyone, I did think it was 24th of the Month, but ill give it an extra few days with it having been Easter!

Zazen999

Timmne wrote: »

When I started MSing, the thread (this one's predecessor) was just as long if not longer :eek: but I felt reading it gave me a really good insight into how it all works and what to look out for.

This was totally in mind when I wrote the OP of this thread and spent a lot of time working on it (much to my girlfriend's annoyance!) - not that I want praise for it but I also think it would be great if people kept me updated as to what the OP could include - ideas like this from newbies is perhaps the most valuable although I don't agree that naming the better companies and the ones with most jobs is appropriate; as said before, it's just too generalised.

As I say, keep me updated if you want something added, that goes for everyone! :beer:

Hi

I am sorry but I disagree; your original post is ideal as it is objective, and sticks to the facts. The thing with the questions being asked is that everyone will have different answers depending on circumstances. Even having this forum is a godsend to all MSers and you should be thanked for your OP by newbies [IMHO].

I also read the original threads [parts 1 & 2] and wouldn't have dared asking the 'I don't have time to read this thread' questions. The way I see it, if you haven't got time to read up on it, you might not have time to read the brief and to do your research.

The best thing for newbies is to read the OP and get stuck in. Then, if questions come up, do a search to see if someone else has already asked and then; if not; post the query on here.

domesticgoddess

Timmne wrote: »

OH GOD nothing from GAP!

Late for the SECOND month....

not impressive, I've completly scaled back on any work I do for them now. I'm pleased I started out with them good practice for a newbie.

jobbingmusician

I think it would be useful to consider what the objective of this thread is.

I could be wrong, but I thought the main objective was for MSers to support each other? It is a great resource for newbies, but that isn't the main purpose of the thread IMHO.

Do others agree? If the thread is seen mainly as a resource for newbies, I do have concerns about it. Why should I answer questions which can be summarised as 'who are the best companies, how do I contact them and how much will they pay me' when the result of answering these questions will be that inexperienced MSers who aren't interested enough to read this thread right through will simply go in and steal the best work?

Or am I just feeling grumpy this morning???

redcar_2

jobbingmusician wrote: »

I think it would be useful to consider what the objective of this thread is.

I could be wrong, but I thought the main objective was for MSers to support each other? It is a great resource for newbies, but that isn't the main purpose of the thread IMHO.

Do others agree? If the thread is seen mainly as a resource for newbies, I do have concerns about it. Why should I answer questions which can be summarised as 'who are the best companies, how do I contact them and how much will they pay me' when the result of answering these questions will be that inexperienced MSers who aren't interested enough to read this thread right through will simply go in and steal the best work?

Or am I just feeling grumpy this morning???

Maybe a little...

I guess we all have to start somewhere. I know that when I started jobs were much better paid than now and I have since seen fees slide or even disappear on many jobbs. I'm sure this is very related to the number of people doing the work. However I realise I'm part of the problem for those doing it before me...:o

Maybe within post 1 we should specifically point newbies in the direction of one or two companies with their own good training materials and advise them to cut their teeth on those before asking questions. I think the current first post is very good and wouldn't suggest we try to change or add to it much really but maybe it needs a health warning on the lines of don't ask the hand it to me on a plate question...

I've also wondered about moving the thread somewhere less prominent. If its in a maximising income section you can't blame people for that attitude.

seasprite_2

I agree, this is a brilliant thread.( I felt guilty asking a question even after reading the whole lot! ) It is time consuming to read, but fun too. As others have mentioned; if you don't have time for this then maybe you won't have the time to give the mystery shopping jobs the attention that they require. It is not an easy buck and to do well and enjoy it too, I would say you need to be very concientious and take pride in your work.

Timmne

jobbingmusician wrote: »

I think it would be useful to consider what the objective of this thread is.

I could be wrong, but I thought the main objective was for MSers to support each other? It is a great resource for newbies, but that isn't the main purpose of the thread IMHO.

Do others agree? If the thread is seen mainly as a resource for newbies, I do have concerns about it. Why should I answer questions which can be summarised as 'who are the best companies, how do I contact them and how much will they pay me' when the result of answering these questions will be that inexperienced MSers who aren't interested enough to read this thread right through will simply go in and steal the best work?

Or am I just feeling grumpy this morning???

No I agree totally - my opinion (but then I would say it as I wrote it!) is that the opening post gives a good level of starting information for a newbie and then reading the thread, however long, is the next good step - it gives people a chronological view of how companies are to work with, what changes there are in systems and which jobs are the easiest/hardest etc....

As above, I don't mind adding bits to the first post but if it includes EVERYTHING then there's little point having the rest of the thread in some respects!

There's a certain amount of knowledge is power in mystery shopping and I find I generally only give specific advice to people who I trust (albeit on an internet forum!) and know from past posts - someone who comes on asking for all the information on a plate usually makes me suspicious and considering the effort I put in to get with so many MSing companies, I'm hesitant to help to such an extent....

And no JM, you're not being grumpy!

Dazzieboo

Timmne wrote: »

OH GOD nothing from GAP!

Late for the SECOND month....

2 Bank holidays will naturally delay the payment by 2/3 days. I have been assured by GAP, the payment was processed on the 20th, like it usually is. (last months was late due to computer failure)

redcar_2

OK having just looked at it again the first post gives company details and then covers mainly tax, NI issues. This is a godsend to me and I am sure other established MSers as I was never so sure about that before Timmne came along. However I can see that maybe it seems a bit daunting (maybe good :cool: ) to get people to the point where they need to worry about tax.

Perhaps Timmne you could add a paragraph or three just before the list of companies that states something along the lines of:
______
The companies mentioned below are a good place to start. Don't worry if they ask you for bank details when you apply as this is only so you can get paid. Numbers of jobs offered seems to vary and very much depends on your location in the country so its difficult to generalise. Lots of the companies have training materials and tests which help you to know exactly what to do and the standards they expect on their reports.

When you are ready pick a job. The first one is always nerve wracking. Possibly try one without timings or many complex stages as those give you just that bit much to think about on the first time. Go for one close to home so you aren't going out of your way as the fee will probably not be worth it otherwise. You can always go back into most places with an excuse if you miss something or if allowed take someoneelse who can keep an eye out too for details such as name badges.

Most of us have worked hard to get good at this job so whilst we are helpful we are not keen to hand on a plate information to people not willing to do the legwork too. Please also note that there is a finite pool of MS work so respect that people may not be willing to share all their knowledge with someone who in essence will be taking work away from them or causing a decrease in fees. Being able to read and digest information is a vital skill for mystery shoppers so the next stage is to read the rest of the thread and you should find people happy to answer specific queries you have.
____

Would this help? I'm probably less sure about para3 as this is probably the most contentious. Edit away!

Geeves1980

I do agree that anyone starting out should work their way through the discussions to get an idea as to what mystery shopping is and should be about. It didn't really take that long when I did it (although yes, it was less then, as it keeps growing!) and it does mean that the same basic questions don't keep getting repeated. As you say it is not a place where established MS's should be handing everything to a plate for everyone thinking of giving it a go, I've only just started to ask the odd questions after I've been doing it a while. Some people after reading through the pro's and con's, up's and down's of people's experiences might just decide that it isn't really for them and not waste their time signing up to all these different companies, doing one or two assignments and then packing it in.