To the users of TNS mystery shopping

mariagti

Hi,

I applied for to work for TNS mystery shopping, i choose them asthey pay there tax for you. I completed the test they sent me. I was just wondering how long was it until you found out if they wanted you or not? i applied on wednesday afternoon and havent heard anything yet. Thanks:D

DevilsAdvocate1

Don't hold you breath! It took them a long time to get back to me. And then when they did, informing me that I would get a user id and password in due course, it took over 2 months to receive it. Apparantly they do it in batches and as I had just missed a batch I had to wait for the next one.

Good luck. D.

pixie1

It took me over 5 months and that was with calling people on a two weekly basis to try and move things more quickly. Its worth the wait though

mariagti

That long!

full-time-mum

mariagti wrote: »

Hi,

I applied for to work for TNS mystery shopping, i choose them asthey pay there tax for you. I completed the test they sent me. I was just wondering how long was it until you found out if they wanted you or not? i applied on wednesday afternoon and havent heard anything yet. Thanks:D

I've just had an email from them telling me they are changing their shoppers to self-employed. I actually think that this is easier. OK, the first tax form is a bit of a minefield but once you've done it once its a doddle provided that you keep track of the work you do. I maintain a simple spreadsheet storing the fee, purchases/expenses and mileage.

It got really complicated for me working for more than one MS company that took tax. If all the companies I work for are self-employed, at least I know where I am.

When you register as self-employed, you have to fill in a form to become exempt from NI contributions (unless you are planning to earn mega-bucks - unlikely with just one company). They also provide a free half-day course - well worth the time.

Not all mystery shopping companies provide you with payslips etc so it is important to know what you've been paid etc. You also need to keep track of the interest on your savings and any other income. Don't leave it until the last minute to file your claim though, they are rather slow at getting you access to the online system.

mariagti

They didnt even want me! lol

novagirl

It took 2 weeks in total to get my user ID.

zakaya

pixie1 wrote: »

It took me over 5 months and that was with calling people on a two weekly basis to try and move things more quickly. Its worth the wait though

It isn't worth the wait. When I first started working for them over 2 years ago, there was an abundant of well paid jobs, all with travel expenses paid. Now, very few jobs pay a fee and with the PAYE status change, I don't think they will be paying travel expenses. Mystery shopping is no way as good as it used to be because too many people are prepared to do the work for little or no fee

juliethemoose

I applied to TNS, in a couple of days I got the test, then the day after I found out I wa successful. The next day I recieved the paperwork in the post. It took a week in total.

I think we are the victims of our own need to mystery shop. The no so good ones, that we all work for to get stamps etc, have put the pincers on the better ones.

I can't see the fees increasing unless we won't do the jobs for the small pay. As long as people still do them, they will only stay the same or go down.

I think mystery shopping has had its hay day. Every one is on the band wagon now......too many of us.