The mystery shopping thread - part 4

Scaredy_Cat_3

Can anyone give me some advice about the 'naked' one please? I haven't done any MS before and spotted some nice easy telephone ones - but I can't apply because you have to have a shopper rating of 8, and I'm only a 5.

So, I assume you have to do some jobs in order to get up to an 8... but there are none at all in my area, so my only hope at the moment is the telephone ones. Also, I would like an easy one to start with as I'm a bit nervous about the whole thing.

I spotted another telephone one and have 'applied', it's showing as 'pending' as has been for 2 days now. I've read other people complain about stuff pending for ages. So, what should I expect - are they likely to assign me a telephone job or if it's still pending does that mean more than likely they won't bother with me? And how am I ever supposed to get to an 8 rating if they won't give me any jobs? Sorry if I'm ranting, I'm getting frustrated with the lot of them - I've had no work and no hint of work, and I spent ages filling out all the forms and doing tests etc. (moan, gripe, groan!!!! Sorry!)

ellie9ellie

TractorGirl327 wrote: »

There were loads in my area for Gap last night, ruddy typical, I don't do that many in August because the children are on school holiday. I picked up a couple of stamp shop ones. I want loads of jobs for September though 'cos they'll both be full time!

My parents will still be looking after mine for a few days a week through the holidays so I'll be able to do some local ones. I'll have to go a few months without doing any MS work after the baby is born. Babies aren't allowed in betting shops (as well as burger venues) !

willowthecat

Scaredy_Cat wrote: »

Can anyone give me some advice about the 'naked' one please? I haven't done any MS before and spotted some nice easy telephone ones - but I can't apply because you have to have a shopper rating of 8, and I'm only a 5.

So, I assume you have to do some jobs in order to get up to an 8... but there are none at all in my area, so my only hope at the moment is the telephone ones. Also, I would like an easy one to start with as I'm a bit nervous about the whole thing.

I think I was lucky in the beginning because I was assigned a heap of financial jobs because they were desperate. So I was able to get my rating up quite quickly.

I'm wondering if they are struggling to get people at the moment because I've had two mails from them in the past week, asking people to go to the job board but I'm so fed up of them.

Think nail in the coffin was that applied for the financial ones again. Nearly two weeks later I got a phone call asking to do two visits. Now the problem was by this time it was the day before my holiday, coupled with the fact that despite me living smack bang in the main area of these financial jobs (you'll be able figure out where I live now ) they wanted me to visit a branch in the Derbyshire Peak District - ooo about an hour's drive away and then cut across the Pennines to do another one near Manchester :eek:

So when I got the eerie silence of disapproval from the other end of the phone, I explained that I had in fact had applications pending for the past two weeks and had since deleted them as I was going on holiday (and incidentally NOT for the two visits they wanted me to do!) and that it was unfortunate that I was going on holiday. The response to that was "well if you're not going on holiday until tomorrow will you go today?".

I despair! :cool:

Then, I looked on the job board tonight and I can't do a particular phone call because I haven't got the "Do you speak Fluent English Certificate?" Yes, I do speak fluent English and I would prove it to you if I was allowed to take the test!

All this probably hasn't improved your frustration, but at least you know you're in the same boat as someone with a rating of 9! :cool:

Scaredy_Cat_3

Thanks Willow. They do sound a bit unprofessional! I'm sorry about the hassle you've had. Must admit I wouldn't want a last minute phonecall asking me to do something today - I need to plan ahead!

I think it's just upsetting when I read all the posts with people saying they've got this job or that job, and I feel really left out because even though I've registered with loads of these companies there seems to be nothing for me!

benbenandme

Hi, wonder if anyone can help ... I registered as self-employed about 18 months ago and at the time asked the guy on the phone about ni stuff and he said as I was earning so little from s (about 20/30 quid a month on average) that I didnt need to pay anything as I was also paying it through my regular job. Today I have received a bill from Inland Revenue for NI for 248.00, for the last 3 months + arrears :eek: :eek: :mad: :mad: ... is this right?? If so then it makes this really pointless after the menial fee is taken into account :rolleyes: Please help !!

cranezoe

benbenandme wrote: »

Hi, wonder if anyone can help ... I registered as self-employed about 18 months ago and at the time asked the guy on the phone about ni stuff and he said as I was earning so little from s (about 20/30 quid a month on average) that I didnt need to pay anything as I was also paying it through my regular job. Today I have received a bill from Inland Revenue for NI for 248.00, for the last 3 months + arrears :eek: :eek: :mad: :mad: ... is this right?? If so then it makes this really pointless after the menial fee is taken into account :rolleyes: Please help !!

I got this letter/bill too. I rang and said they had sent it in error and the guy said that my exemption from NI had not yet been granted. He said there was a backlog for granting exemption. I registered in May this year though. He told me to not pay the bill and that I should receive my exemption certificate by August and if not to call them.

PLEASE anyone who gets this DO NOT just go on what I have said here, ring yourselves and get it said to you. I am posting to reassure anyone that this happened to that it is easily sorted. I nearly had a heart attack and was really worried. but just give them a call and it should be sorted.

benbenandme

Thank you Cranezoe, I will call them in the morning Thanks for putting my mind at rest

ellie9ellie

benbenandme wrote: »

Hi, wonder if anyone can help ... I registered as self-employed about 18 months ago and at the time asked the guy on the phone about ni stuff and he said as I was earning so little from s (about 20/30 quid a month on average) that I didnt need to pay anything as I was also paying it through my regular job. Today I have received a bill from Inland Revenue for NI for 248.00, for the last 3 months + arrears :eek: :eek: :mad: :mad: ... is this right?? If so then it makes this really pointless after the menial fee is taken into account :rolleyes: Please help !!

Think this may be one for Timmne. Had my bill yesterday but is was for £13.80 which covers 3 months. However when I called I was told that as I work full time and will be going on maternity leave soon I wouldn't need to pay NI so will have to call them to clarify. Typical. £248 seems a little steep for NI. Thought you only had to pay £2.50 odd a week!!!

josie

RoxyK wrote: »

Well done on getting 12 jobs! I got 2 lol but I'm in a small town. I've got betting ones and have never set food in one so hope their forms are easy to fill out!

One tip someone gave me, regarding the betting ones (is especially if you've got a few) as they are usually on a football match, put a bet on the home team to win at one shop, the away team to win at another and at the third bet on a draw and then at least that way you'll have one winner!

I got 11 jobs last night from Gap - woo hoo! Thought I might have missed the Aug ones as just back off a fortnight's hols the day before!

chambta

I've deliberately taken a GFK job at an outlet I know has been shut for several months.

You reckon I'll get away with any money for pointing this out to them?!