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

brryssn

Hi to everyone - am I glad I came across this thread recently! There's so much useful info on Mystery Shopping. I did it over 25 years ago & a few months ago decided it would fit in well with my own part-time Business. Have done about eight shops so far, which I've quite enjoyed (apart from the fast-food ones where you have to time everything - too much hassle for VERY little money, so won't bother with them again!) I've been quite surprised at how many jobs are quite local to me (North Glasgow), & have been within walking distance. I don't drive but can get to lots of places by public transport,so have been able to do a variety of shops so far. The info on Tax etc. by Timmne has been invaluable, so many thanks for that! I've learned more from that in the last few day's than I have in months scouring the web! I'll be asking your advice about a few things I'm sure! Has anyone had any problems registering with some of the American based companies? Some have gone through no problem, but others come up with "Error" when you try to put Area Codes in where you can work. That particular company is getting back to me after I emailed them, so hopefully something can be sorted. By the way, the money doesn't seem to have gone up much in 25 years! You certainly wont get rich doing MS!

Hollypear

brryssn wrote: »

Hi to everyone - am I glad I came across this thread recently! There's so much useful info on Mystery Shopping. I did it over 25 years ago & a few months ago decided it would fit in well with my own part-time Business. Have done about eight shops so far, which I've quite enjoyed (apart from the fast-food ones where you have to time everything - too much hassle for VERY little money, so won't bother with them again!) I've been quite surprised at how many jobs are quite local to me (North Glasgow), & have been within walking distance. I don't drive but can get to lots of places by public transport,so have been able to do a variety of shops so far. The info on Tax etc. by Timmne has been invaluable, so many thanks for that! I've learned more from that in the last few day's than I have in months scouring the web! I'll be asking your advice about a few things I'm sure! Has anyone had any problems registering with some of the American based companies? Some have gone through no problem, but others come up with "Error" when you try to put Area Codes in where you can work. That particular company is getting back to me after I emailed them, so hopefully something can be sorted. By the way, the money doesn't seem to have gone up much in 25 years! You certainly wont get rich doing MS!

What an interesting post. Didn't realise MS was around 25 years ago. I looked at a couple of US ones but reckoned they concentrate more on the other side of the pond.

I am from North Glasgow too ( Bearsden actually) Are you with RE as they often have multiple chain pub visits which cos they are in Scotland you do 2 reports for so get double fee. Why I don't know.

I think a lot of the companies are just greedy. As I have done almost exactly the same job for 2 companies. One might pay £5 and the other £20. So is the one paying the measlie amount making a bigger profit.

brryssn

Hi Hollypear! That's where I live too! I am with RE but haven't done anything for them as yet - I keep looking but nothing has been suitable so far. A lot of the American based companies have work in the UK - I'll let you know what happens over the latest one I tried - their email said they were expanding over here & wanted more shoppers so hopefully the Registration Form will be sorted out & we can all apply! I did the MSPA Silver Certification with that in mind as I know from friends in the US that they quite like shoppers to have that, though it's not essential. When I first Mystery Shopped it was for a Department Store, & I'd just go in every few weeks, a different section each time. I was a Freelance Demonstrator at the time, working all over the UK, so when I came home it was a nice little "extra" job! I'm sure I was getting £10 for an hours work - & no long forms to fill in either!! Off to bed now as I've got Furniture to paint for somebody tomorrow!

Hollypear

brryssn wrote: »

Hi Hollypear! That's where I live too! I am with RE but haven't done anything for them as yet - I keep looking but nothing has been suitable so far. A lot of the American based companies have work in the UK - I'll let you know what happens over the latest one I tried - their email said they were expanding over here & wanted more shoppers so hopefully the Registration Form will be sorted out & we can all apply! I did the MSPA Silver Certification with that in mind as I know from friends in the US that they quite like shoppers to have that, though it's not essential. When I first Mystery Shopped it was for a Department Store, & I'd just go in every few weeks, a different section each time. I was a Freelance Demonstrator at the time, working all over the UK, so when I came home it was a nice little "extra" job! I'm sure I was getting £10 for an hours work - & no long forms to fill in either!! Off to bed now as I've got Furniture to paint for somebody tomorrow!

Night. Wouldn't it be funny if you lived in my street ( for all I know). When you waken tomorrow can you tell me how do you do that certificate. Or does anyone else know. Today I wore my little brain out doing the Gap accreditation thing. Took me ages.

wantmorejobs

*RETAIL EYES*
I see they have cancelled the payment that was processed on the 2nd of this month, seems their system must have "mysteriously" messed up, looks like it will be payment as usual on or about the 15th (I hope!!!)

Hollypear

Query re taking photographs in shopping malls.

I am doing a nationwide chain mobile phone shop today. Briefing notes say to take a pic of shop after you leave. Now I did one some time ago in a shopping mall on the outskirts of Glasgow and the very next week I was back doing my own shopping and lo and behold there is a big can't miss sign saying "No photographs to be taken or video recording in this shopping centre without prior permission of the centre management"

I informed said MS company of this. Notice in today's briefing notes though today is a different shopping mall there is a mention of if you are challenged taking the photo say you are a MS'er and ask security to phone xxxx at yyyyyy

By nature I am not a rule breaker. If I get there and this centre also has this policy I feel uncomfortable about it. I don't fancy being challenged by a big burly security bloke and I doubt they are meekly going to toddle off and phone the MS company.

Don't know the reason for the ban. Asked one of the stores and they didn't know either. Said maybe it had something to do with paedophiles.

Would appreciate any advice.

johnny_c-l

Hollypear wrote: »

Query re taking photographs in shopping malls.

I am doing a nationwide chain mobile phone shop today. Briefing notes say to take a pic of shop after you leave. Now I did one some time ago in a shopping mall on the outskirts of Glasgow and the very next week I was back doing my own shopping and lo and behold there is a big can't miss sign saying "No photographs to be taken or video recording in this shopping centre without prior permission of the centre management"

I informed said MS company of this. Notice in today's briefing notes though today is a different shopping mall there is a mention of if you are challenged taking the photo say you are a MS'er and ask security to phone xxxx at yyyyyy

By nature I am not a rule breaker. If I get there and this centre also has this policy I feel uncomfortable about it. I don't fancy being challenged by a big burly security bloke and I doubt they are meekly going to toddle off and phone the MS company.

Don't know the reason for the ban. Asked one of the stores and they didn't know either. Said maybe it had something to do with paedophiles.

Would appreciate any advice.

RE told me to just explain to security if it happens, and get them to phone RE. She said that although security don't like photos being taken it's obvious that retailers will need to do so in order to monitor themselves. She also said about one lady who was locked up in the mini holding cell of a shopping centre for two hours, when all she should have done is phone RE about it!

So basically, if you're challenged then just explain to them why you're taking a photo, and get them to call RE. You're there working on behalf of the company - it is acceptable to take photographs. Think about all the stores in the shopping centre which are MS'd; I'm sure security are used to it.

Hollypear

johnny_c-l wrote: »

RE told me to just explain to security if it happens, and get them to phone RE. She said that although security don't like photos being taken it's obvious that retailers will need to do so in order to monitor themselves. She also said about one lady who was locked up in the mini holding cell of a shopping centre for two hours, when all she should have done is phone RE about it!

So basically, if you're challenged then just explain to them why you're taking a photo, and get them to call RE. You're there working on behalf of the company - it is acceptable to take photographs. Think about all the stores in the shopping centre which are MS'd; I'm sure security are used to it.

Thanks for tha Johnny.. But flipping heck poor lady locked up for 2 hours. Did RE give her a bonus. Imagine if that was her 1st MS...it would also be her last.

I wondered if this was just this shopping mall I was at or is this widespread throughout the UK now. I thought I'd print my briefing notes and take them with me to show security if need be.

woohoo_postingid

I often use my mobile phone for photos (3.2m pixels) and the photo quality is excellent whilst also being a bit more subtle.

AFAIK, nobody but the police would be allowed to detain you in a cell as that could be classed as false imprisonment (although I could be wrong). I'm sure most shopping centres have better things to do than to worry about people taking photos.

wantmorejobs

woohoo_postingid wrote: »

I often use my mobile phone for photos (3.2m pixels) and the photo quality is excellent whilst also being a bit more subtle.

AFAIK, nobody but the police would be allowed to detain you in a cell as that could be classed as false imprisonment (although I could be wrong). I'm sure most shopping centres have better things to do than to worry about people taking photos.

Possibly detained pending police presence (like when stores catch thieves and lock them in the managers office)- citizens arrests are more powerful than most would think.

But again.....poor lady! Although it does show how no MSing day is the same :rotfl: