The mystery shopping thread - part 4

Scaredy_Cat_3

Can I ask a couple of questions please?

Firstly, I'm trying to search on abai. It says you can search for a 'booked' visit and then you will be contacted if the person who has been given the visit suddenly can't go (you will be a reserve). It says highlight the visit you are interested in, then click 'proceed'. Well, I can't seem to highlight the visit. It goes orange when I hover over it, but I can't get it to stay highlighted. Also there's no 'proceed' button. There is a 'details' button at the bottom of the screen but nothing happens when I click that. Any ideas please?

Second question - what do you use for timing devices? I got a lap timer but it doesn't seem to do what I thought. So, what do you use to sneakily log how long you've been in a queue and then how long to the next timing point?

OK, three questions, not a couple. Sorry. What can you tell me about Optimum Pulse and how long they take to review reports? I assume they don't work weekends? Do they often come back with loads of questions?

Thank you.

cookinmummy

Scaredy_Cat wrote: »

Can I ask a couple of questions please?

Firstly, I'm trying to search on abai. It says you can search for a 'booked' visit and then you will be contacted if the person who has been given the visit suddenly can't go (you will be a reserve). It says highlight the visit you are interested in, then click 'proceed'. Well, I can't seem to highlight the visit. It goes orange when I hover over it, but I can't get it to stay highlighted. Also there's no 'proceed' button. There is a 'details' button at the bottom of the screen but nothing happens when I click that. Any ideas please?

Second question - what do you use for timing devices? I got a lap timer but it doesn't seem to do what I thought. So, what do you use to sneakily log how long you've been in a queue and then how long to the next timing point?

OK, three questions, not a couple. Sorry. What can you tell me about Optimum Pulse and how long they take to review reports? I assume they don't work weekends? Do they often come back with loads of questions?

Thank you.

1. Are you using firefox or anything that isn't IE? IE only on aba-i I'm afraid - if you use anything else it just hovers and doesn't actually click through.
2. Timing devices - I use the lap timer on my mobile if I'm doing burgers say and there are various stages (i click it discretely in my pocket while I wait), if its just a plain queue I use a very naff digital watch I picked up for a couple of quid from Mr A.
3. OC usually check the reports on the final due date - say if its to be done by the 18th they will do them then - unless it is a report that they have needed someone to fill for ages (and therefore has passed its original due date) in which case it is usually within 24 hours.

HTH:D

Scaredy_Cat_3

Thanks! That's a big help.

Yes, I'm using firefox so that's obviously why abai isn't working! I'm on a Mac - silly question but I'm a complete non-techie. Can you get IE on a Mac or is that windows only?

Still not sure what to do about the timer. I may just have to avoid those type of jobs. My mobile is a fairly basic one so I don't think it does that kind of thing, and the lap timer we got beeps when you press it, and I think will only record one interval, so I wouldn't be able to then log the next timing point until I had looked at the time, noted it and re-set it - and I suspect that might give the game away!!!

Thanks for the info on OC. I won't hold my breath then!

cookinmummy

Scaredy_Cat wrote: »

Thanks! That's a big help.

Yes, I'm using firefox so that's obviously why abai isn't working! I'm on a Mac - silly question but I'm a complete non-techie. Can you get IE on a Mac or is that windows only?

Still not sure what to do about the timer. I may just have to avoid those type of jobs. My mobile is a fairly basic one so I don't think it does that kind of thing, and the lap timer we got beeps when you press it, and I think will only record one interval, so I wouldn't be able to then log the next timing point until I had looked at the time, noted it and re-set it - and I suspect that might give the game away!!!

Thanks for the info on OC. I won't hold my breath then!

No worries - its what this thread is all about:D

I don't have a mac I'm afraid - have you tried using safari? (is that not the standard browser with mac?)

BP56134

cranezoe wrote: »

Is the merger happening? does anyone know when?

When the merger happens will all existing shoppers be transferred to the new company or will we have to apply again? I've been shopping happily for GFK, but didn't hear anything back from TNS when I applied. anyone know?

Scaredy_Cat_3

Just tried it in Safari and it's just the same.

Scaredy_Cat_3

BP56134 wrote: »

When the merger happens will all existing shoppers be transferred to the new company or will we have to apply again? I've been shopping happily for GFK, but didn't hear anything back from TNS when I applied. anyone know?

What merger???

princess_leia_3

suzannesuzanne wrote: »

Hi! I got one!! But I can only do it on the weekend and whilst I can select a weekend date, the assignment notes say 'can only be done mon-fri'.
Tried to ring RE but their office is closed.
Does anyone know if it's ok to do the assignment if I can select the date?
And does anyone know REs weekend office hours?

Hope someone can help - thanks! :T

I think RE listed these all wrong in a hurry to get them on for the weekend as the snail restaurants said one payment on the first screen and the details said double the amount!! I know what they would try and pay too
Not sure what you can do really, if you want to do the job then I would go by the dates on the assign screen not by the notes but be prepared for them to say it was the other :rolleyes:

Little_Chicken

princess_leia wrote: »

I think RE listed these all wrong in a hurry to get them on for the weekend as the snail restaurants said one payment on the first screen and the details said double the amount!! I know what they would try and pay too
Not sure what you can do really, if you want to do the job then I would go by the dates on the assign screen not by the notes but be prepared for them to say it was the other :rolleyes:

they've just sent an email out saying these were listed incorrectly and are now updated, but mine look just the same. Has anyone's updated???

suzannesuzanne

Little_Chicken wrote: »

they've just sent an email out saying these were listed incorrectly and are now updated, but mine look just the same. Has anyone's updated???

Mine looks the same too.
Has anyone had any experience with RE not paying? Usually they are nice, so I'm not sure whether to take the risk and do the assignment or not. Oh well!