The mystery shopping thread - part 4

josie

ellie9ellie wrote: »

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!!!

Hmmm, does sound a bit scary, I'm already registered as self-employed for some land I own, but have never had a NI bill - eek! Didn't bother telling them I'm now doing another self-employed job, was just going to add it on when doing the tax return, which must get around to sending off to the accountant, but worried it might be a large bill now. I thought it was just income tax we had to pay?

Becles

Self employed people pay NI too.

All figures are approx as I haven't got exact ones to hand (and can't be bothered to look them up )

If you are earning under approx £4500 from self employment only, you can apply for a small earnings certificate which means you don't have to pay NI. However, you're not entitled to some benefits and others are paid at lower rates. eg: Maternity allowance is £27 or £112, so it's worth ladies planning to be mothers paying!

If you want to pay the Class 2 NI or you are earning over £4500 it's about £2.20 a week.

If you earn over about £5500 you also have to pay Class 4 NI, but that is all worked out on your tax return.

I think you've already said you have a full time job josie? If you're just doing MS for pin money and not earning a lot from it, make sure you have the small earnings certificate. Give the self employed helpline a ring if you need more help. They're always friendly and helpful on there. Number is on HMRC website.

DeeDee98

A bingo job has come up with a company I've only just joined [erhm ... not sure how much we're allowed to say on here bout company names so let's call them 'fej']. Can anyone help me out by telling me if their reports tend to require long narratives or are more like repetitive but short answer forms.

I've got a weekend full of mystery shops lined up and think I can probably fit another one in but it all depends on how much time the report writing is likely to take.

Thanks in advance.

princess_leia_3

Not sure who you mean, sorry....Ok just got it!!!
Some reports are so easy but then I had mobile phone shop the other day and the report was huge!! So unless you can look at the questionnaire first?? Can't remember if you can only do that once you have the job!

Hollypear

DeeDee98 wrote: »

A bingo job has come up with a company I've only just joined [erhm ... not sure how much we're allowed to say on here bout company names so let's call them 'fej']. Can anyone help me out by telling me if their reports tend to require long narratives or are more like repetitive but short answer forms.

I've got a weekend full of mystery shops lined up and think I can probably fit another one in but it all depends on how much time the report writing is likely to take.

Thanks in advance.

I do the bingo jobs. Only one company does them as far as I know. It should be the same then. The questionnaire is easy. Just make sure you get staff names. Reception, books, diner, bar. The rest is easy. Stuff like did you check the toilets, were the staff enthusiastic when someone won. etc.

josie

Becles wrote: »

Self employed people pay NI too.

All figures are approx as I haven't got exact ones to hand (and can't be bothered to look them up )

If you are earning under approx £4500 from self employment only, you can apply for a small earnings certificate which means you don't have to pay NI. However, you're not entitled to some benefits and others are paid at lower rates. eg: Maternity allowance is £27 or £112, so it's worth ladies planning to be mothers paying!

If you want to pay the Class 2 NI or you are earning over £4500 it's about £2.20 a week.

If you earn over about £5500 you also have to pay Class 4 NI, but that is all worked out on your tax return.

I think you've already said you have a full time job josie? If you're just doing MS for pin money and not earning a lot from it, make sure you have the small earnings certificate. Give the self employed helpline a ring if you need more help. They're always friendly and helpful on there. Number is on HMRC website.

Hi thanks, Becles, yes I do have a full time job too, so won't be choosing to pay any extra NI than I do already. I've just never been asked to pay an NI bill before for the other self-employed stuff, unless it just comes as part of the tax bill from HMRC and I've not noticed.

You're right, probably ought to give the helpline a call, just never got around to it!

In fact, just had a quick look on the website - link here http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/selfemployed/iwtregister-as-self-employed.htm
if anyone else wants a look and the phone no. for the helpline is 0845 915 4515

Sarah_Joanne

So I have applied now for 3 competitor pizza jobs on gap, and every one has been rejected, I have no idea why! I have done wuite a few of the actual shop ones but seems I can't do competitor ones. The one this time is still showing on the board so I know it hasn't gone to someone else. Anyone else ever had this?

ruthiejane

Sarah_Joanne wrote: »

So I have applied now for 3 competitor pizza jobs on gap, and every one has been rejected, I have no idea why! I have done wuite a few of the actual shop ones but seems I can't do competitor ones. The one this time is still showing on the board so I know it hasn't gone to someone else. Anyone else ever had this?

I've got the same thing with one of their yellow petrol stations. Really annoying me as it is on my way to work so very easy for me to do!!!

bulktrans

guys i need some help here... i did a pizza job-delivery for Gap my first job with them... and I completed the questionnaire and did a very stupid thing.... when I was about to take the photograph I saw that the receipt that the del person gave me was crumpled so i thought for good quality photo i should just iron it ... and i use 2-3 blank paper over the till recipt and ironed it and the writing all disapperared and the till receipt got blackened.... i hav not done this before hence I had no clue that this will happen... so i uploaded the blackened receipt(u can very very faintly see some details on it) and sent an email thru the enquiry form... i did mention in the questionnaire the correct receipt number etc .... now i am not sure if they will pay me.... any thoughts or advice ....

cookinmummy

bulktrans wrote: »

guys i need some help here... i did a pizza job-delivery for Gap my first job with them... and I completed the questionnaire and did a very stupid thing.... when I was about to take the photograph I saw that the receipt that the del person gave me was crumpled so i thought for good quality photo i should just iron it ... and i use 2-3 blank paper over the till recipt and ironed it and the writing all disapperared and the till receipt got blackened.... i hav not done this before hence I had no clue that this will happen... so i uploaded the blackened receipt(u can very very faintly see some details on it) and sent an email thru the enquiry form... i did mention in the questionnaire the correct receipt number etc .... now i am not sure if they will pay me.... any thoughts or advice ....

I swear that I am not secretly laughing bulktrans. :A

If you have the correct receipt details and number in the questionnaire then the comp can track your transaction, if necessary. Hopefully, as you have explained the situ they shouldn't really kick up a fuss.

Good Luck and next time I would perhaps give the iron a wide bearth.