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

Timmne

I actually argued with someone from GAP last night as I didn't want to do a burger job (having excluded myself months ago by purposely answering every screening quesion wrongly) - he was offering more and more money and I wouldn't accept!

I told him that there are a few reasons I don't do burger jobs but the main one is that asking for a receipt negates the point of doing the shops in the first place as the shop know exactly who you are. Guess what though? He didn't care! He just wanted the report done, regardless of the content.

I really hope they lose the contract and it's given to a good company to manage properly. I have to question how useful the information they collect at the minute is.

learning_to_drive

I have to agree and was talking with my g/f about the fact they blatantly just want good reports all the time.

I dont know why they bother with us MS'ing them, as its obvious that as soon as the buger joint challenges it, they fall onto their side.

Like i said, this lady never got back in touch regarding other burgers that i could do in my area, but she wasnt a gap person.

learning_to_drive

Timmne wrote: »

I actually argued with someone from GAP last night as I didn't want to do a burger job (having excluded myself months ago by purposely answering every screening quesion wrongly) - he was offering more and more money and I wouldn't accept!

I told him that there are a few reasons I don't do burger jobs but the main one is that asking for a receipt negates the point of doing the shops in the first place as the shop know exactly who you are. Guess what though? He didn't care! He just wanted the report done, regardless of the content.

I really hope they lose the contract and it's given to a good company to manage properly. I have to question how useful the information they collect at the minute is.

On the Gap calling situation, they get upset if you wont do it, but they cannot get away with paying no fee and just refunding the meal, its a free meal fair enough, but you get good fee's with other companies for doing a little bit more and to be fair, less paperwork.

The burgers should be paid higher as the timing points are quite difficult and its obvious some struggle with it.

Pay more, they wouldnt have to offer a premium rate (which is usually what they should pay anyway).

Timmne

When I used to do these jobs, I used to not accept any on the day of release, rather watch them get closer and closer to the deadline. I then waited for the call from them (which was around 6-7pm on the penultimate day) and began the negotiating. I never did a job for less than double the fee after I'd been shopping them as I realised in my first month that I must have been the only mug in my area doing the burger jobs!

It did get painful though and being the sole audience member of a cabaret performance is only enjoyable for a few visits - after that it's just embarrassing!

johnny_c-l

I had a wonderful gapburger caberet this morning. As soon as I aksed for a receipt the smile got stuck on her face. When I left the counter she shouted (literally) to the manager, who duely came out and picked up every bit of litter near me. At least there was a reasonable fee for it!

Also did a couple of stamp shops today and am debating whether or not I should get a refund on the travel insurance, even though it is reimbursed.

Sarah_Joanne

I totally agree, after doing just 1 gapburger job I did wonder how on earth you can call that mystery shopping?!

Timmne

The only mystery is how much bonus the managers actually get from a good shop report - from their actions, I guess it's at least in the millions.

CheeseCat

Hey guys, sorry i'm new to this - got my first "Gapburger" (:rotfl:) MS next week - do you mean that as soon as you ask for a receipt they know you are MS cause normally people don't ask? (would someone away on a work assignment not get the receipt for expenses, etc?)

Do they not automatically give one? I don't normally go to this particular place.

Surely though, by receipt time you have already evaluated whether they greeted you nicely etc? So they'll only get a good mark for the parting comment they say?

(as I said - clueless this far in but very interested!):o

Timmne

Yes they'll know the moment you ask for the receipt.

Also, you're there to evaluate the 'restaurant' too, so they'll start cleaning, doing check backs and handing out balloons to kids - it's great, you'll love it!

learning_to_drive

They have given reciepts to me in drive thru, however in the shop itself, nah....

There has to be a better way of doing this, they have cctv and challenge timings of drive thru's so at the end of the day, why cant they use that?