The mystery shopping thread - part 4

johnny_c-l

SC - putting in a shop address is fine; I've done that before for towns I visit but don't live/work at and it shows jobs there fine. On the subject of GR, I had a phonecall the other day asking me to do a last minute job they couldn't find anyone for......it's from one extreme to the other with those people!

Yeosal - No experience of it myself, but have read on here that they do reimburse very quickly when invoiced. Hope so as I've got my 1st job with them soon!

Freyagirl

rj, are you saying you claim for items purchased when the MS company reimburses the cost?
Also I thought I read earlier that you shouldn't claim for meals etc because you have to eat anyway, lucky you because I have never worked in an office where you get free meals lucky to get a free biscuit in the jobs I've had who are the generous companies that you have worked for?

ruthiejane wrote: »

I only put milage, phone calls, stamps and printing, and anything I have to buy that I would not otherwise have done. Sometimes I only put half the price of things I've had to buy as I still get the benefit from it. For example I bought a t-shirt this weekend. I wouldn't have bought it if I wasn't mystery shopping, and I don't really need another one. But do have the benefit of a new t-shirt. I always put down the cost of any meals or drinks I buy. This is because in a "normal" job you get meals and drinks for free in the office, or reimbursed as expenses when out of the office so why should they come out of my profit? When I buy groceries I don't put the cost down as I'd have bought them anyway, same for petrol.

Does that sound reasonable?

josie

ellie9ellie wrote: »

I got the same e-mail but I haven't replied. I got one of these cards on the first bookie job I did. I'm doing another 10 in August and wouldn't mind using the card but not sure if I'm supposed to. Will read through the brief again to say whether it says anything. If I don't win anything out of 10 jobs Im obviously not cut out to be a gambler - though with the amount I've got to bet I'll hardly be breaking the bank!!!! Not sure who advised me though but someone said to put a bet on one to win, one to lose and one to draw - might win something then lol

Managed to get a supermarket job on GR yesterday which was good. Going to have a look if there's anything else around this morning. Have a good day all x

It doesn't say anywhere in the brief that you can't have one, but you do have to ask a question about it. They've changed what it does from the original card, which was purely a loyalty card (which is what I've got & you from the sound of it) and now when you ask the question about being able to bet on the phone or t'internet, they're meant to suggest the "Odds On" card.

I've used it on my last 3 bookies assignments and been paid ok, but I'm not answering the email! Mind you, either way we could get struck off, for not answering the email or for saying we have a card, so who knows?!?

It was me, who said put a win, lose and draw all for the same game and not that you might win, but one of them will win! Unless of course the match is abandoned and then you'll at least get your money back.

Are you in Derbyshire? It's just that I was told it was a pilot in that area?

You have a good day too

josie

Freyagirl wrote: »

rj, are you saying you claim for items purchased when the MS company reimburses the cost?
Also I thought I read earlier that you shouldn't claim for meals etc because you have to eat anyway, lucky you because I have never worked in an office where you get free meals lucky to get a free biscuit in the jobs I've had who are the generous companies that you have worked for?

My thoughts exactly!! Who are these companies who give free meals. I claim for absolutely everything I buy. My accountant has told me this is fine, so I claim everything from stamps to bets to meals. Obviously I go under sufferance to eat a pizza and do it purely for the job as I wouldn't eat pizza usually, just an unfortunate requirement of the job!

ruthiejane

Anything that the brief specifies I have to buy I put down as an expense against tax. Then all the money that the mystery shopping company gives me goes down as income. If I included all the groceries etc I would never show a profit.

I work as a travel agent and occasionally have to go to meetings away from home, or on educationals to experience the destinations. At the end of the trip I hand in a claim form listing any food/meals and drinks I've bought while away, as well as milage/rail fares. I then get these reimbursed.

eileen_forward

Hi, I have had an odd e mail from frontline focus team. I am sure I did not apply to them. Has anyone heard of them? they sent a form for BACS payment which they want e mailing back..........very secure:-(

ellie9ellie

josie wrote: »

It doesn't say anywhere in the brief that you can't have one, but you do have to ask a question about it. They've changed what it does from the original card, which was purely a loyalty card (which is what I've got & you from the sound of it) and now when you ask the question about being able to bet on the phone or t'internet, they're meant to suggest the "Odds On" card.

I've used it on my last 3 bookies assignments and been paid ok, but I'm not answering the email! Mind you, either way we could get struck off, for not answering the email or for saying we have a card, so who knows?!?

It was me, who said put a win, lose and draw all for the same game and not that you might win, but one of them will win! Unless of course the match is abandoned and then you'll at least get your money back.

Are you in Derbyshire? It's just that I was told it was a pilot in that area?

You have a good day too

J - if I win anything it'll be down to you lol

I'm in South Wales - there were loads of bookie jobs for down here. Managed to get another job with GR today as well so I'm quite happy. Waiting for the telephone jobs to show up on GFK as well.

josie

ruthiejane wrote: »

Anything that the brief specifies I have to buy I put down as an expense against tax. Then all the money that the mystery shopping company gives me goes down as income. If I included all the groceries etc I would never show a profit. quote]

EXACTLY! That's another reason I like grocery mystery shops!

Scaredy_Cat_3

Please can someone help with a query on ABAi? When I registered there was a bit asking for which shops I use regularly, and I ticked about half a dozen. Then it asked me to name my favourite out of those and say why.

Well, now I find I only get to search for jobs for the one shop I said was my favourite - and there never are any jobs there!

How do I get to search for other shops? I've just gone back in and tried to amend the favourite and I can't even do that. Although it now shows a new favourite, it still only shows the original favourite as my 'registered client', whatever that is. Surely there must be a way to look for jobs in other shops?

SJW

Scaredy_Cat wrote: »

Please can someone help with a query on ABAi? When I registered there was a bit asking for which shops I use regularly, and I ticked about half a dozen. Then it asked me to name my favourite out of those and say why.

Well, now I find I only get to search for jobs for the one shop I said was my favourite - and there never are any jobs there!

How do I get to search for other shops? I've just gone back in and tried to amend the favourite and I can't even do that. Although it now shows a new favourite, it still only shows the original favourite as my 'registered client', whatever that is. Surely there must be a way to look for jobs in other shops?

Just PM'd you.