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

ThinkingOfLinking

Timmne wrote: »

No! :eek:

Sounds great... Although I'd never give false details in a bank (unless it's a chat only) as I know what the consequences are and so does another MSer on this thread!

Bare International positively demands you to make up details for some of their bank/mortgage jobs, especially if you're doing more than one. They tell you to then tell them (Bare) your fake details so they can erase them off the system). Another MS company asked me to sign up for insurance with fake details, and again, give them the info after so they can remove it.

Paul_Varjak

Timmne wrote: »

No! :eek:

Sounds great... Although I'd never give false details in a bank (unless it's a chat only) as I know what the consequences are and so does another MSer on this thread!

Often the scenario requires that I give a false name (especially if I have I have mystery-shopped the same bank before)

jtb2412

Ohh ! Managed to pick up another MS in the same area for tomorrow - kill 2 birds and all that.

Re: bank jobs - I did one once, but it was just an equiry. You've scared me with your stories ! lol Now i'm guessing here but I would say that those kind of jobs (e.g. mortage application) are for the more 'experienced' mystery shopper, am I right? How long were you MS'ing before you took on what I would call the 'big jobs'? (Hope that's not too much of a cheeky question to ask - just keen to hear how people approach it all - newbie here as if you hadn't guessed already).

ThinkingOfLinking

Bare International made me wait 2 years before they let me loose on the banks.

Becles

Bank ones are difficult. As well as remembering everything you need to write down for the report, you also need to remember all your fake details. For example in a mortgage interview, you'll need salary details, house price, mortgage amount and term required, then loads of budget information. Sometimes you can use your own figures but othertimes you'll need a whole fake budget. If I was supposed to be living in a 1 bed flat, giving them the council tax and utility costs for my 4 bed house would make them suspicious!

I've studied personal finance, so I'm clued up on what they should and should not be doing under FSA regulations. I find it easier doing financial jobs, having a bit of background knowledge. If you are totally clueless about finances, I would imagine you will find these jobs difficult, in the same way as I find car showroom jobs difficult as I know nowt about cars!

I've done full financial reviews too, where I have to make up fake everything - inurances, salary, pension, investments, as well as the personal budget stuff. These are challenge, but I enjoy them.

I would say go for it if you feel confident that you can carry the scenario off and can remember the fake information you need. It does require a lot of effort though although this is reflected in the pay.

I'd never do jobs with a credit check though. I don't want the stamp on my personal credit record, and I'll be found out if I was using fake details! If they offer to do a credit check during a mortgage visit, just say not yet as you are shopping around and you don't want to collect lots of footprints. It is normal for people to do this.

Timmne

This is the thread I was referring to with the false details thing - check post 192!

Becles

The lady did say

As I was a customer I had to give a false name, but my real telephone no and made an appointment.

If I was known in a branch as Mrs Apple, and then suddenly I wanted an appointment under the name of Mrs Banana, it's no wonder that bank staff were suspicious.

You can't do financial jobs and use fake details when you are already known in a branch, but it's fine to do them in branches where you are not known.

Woodyrocks

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

Have you ever tried lying for two hours in a mortgage interview and then making sure you sign the correct wrong name?

They are on of my favourite visits :j Easy for me as a 'resting' actor, the only time I appreciate years of drama school is on mystery visits :rotfl: Used to do it for the 'international' company but their pay is horrendous. Really enjoy doing it for the UK company that has lots of bowling visits because the pay is great. The international company also have a savings one which is equally as long but not as intense you might want to try that.

ThinkingOfLinking

Woodyrocks wrote: »

They are on of my favourite visits :j Easy for me as a 'resting' actor, the only time I appreciate years of drama school is on mystery visits :rotfl: Used to do it for the 'international' company but their pay is horrendous. Really enjoy doing it for the UK company that has lots of bowling visits because the pay is great. The international company also have a savings one which is equally as long but not as intense you might want to try that.

Which company offers bowling visits?

manlou

Hi everyone,
I've been reading these threads for a couple of weeks now but this is the first time I've posted. Anyway a big thank you to you all. I started mystery shopping last nov and its been brilliant to read all your experiences, they've helped me a good deal. I'm with Gap, RE, GR, TNS and Aba. I was with BARE but i don't want to save any more money!!! I love this job. I've met some brilliant people who really excel at there job but also meet some I just want to scream 'i'm a mystery shopper for goodness sake...do your job!!!' I would like to know what you all tell friends and family you do for work, especially as i do a fair bit of travellng for Aba.