Anyone a mystery shopper?

[tassis]

I've just signed up for my first assignment as a mystery shopper and I'm now feeling a bit nervous about it all. Anyone else do it?

[littlemissbossy]

yes, years ago, as part of my previous job... had to call various financial services companies and pretend to be a customer

[Newbarnsleygirl]

Yes, I am one!

It's fab, I love it. Although it's not good for my purse!

[tassis]

Why's it not good for your purse, Newbarnsleygirl?

[Newbarnsleygirl]

Forgot to ask, who are you doing it for?

[Newbarnsleygirl]

I spend too much money whilst doing it!

[tassis]

retaileye, what about you? are there others i can do it with too?

[handlemecarefully]

I signed up and was given my first assignment - and then decided to abort mission. I was to be paid the princely sum of £10 for visiting a local building society branch and pretending I was interested in opening one of their current accounts.

That would have been fine, but there was a questionnaire to complete which asked me to answer over 40 supplementary questions, eg:

*how many people were waiting in the queue when you arrived
*how many minutes elapsed before you were served

etc...imagine having to remember 40 questions like that and remember the answers until you got home again. You couldn't just consult your questionnaire whilst at the branch as you would blow your cover.

IMO you would need either a photographic memory, or would have to swot up on the questions like an exam for an hour or two the night before.

Not worth the hassle.

I wasn't in it for the money - more for the 'interest', I had imagined that I might get more fun assignments than that!

[Newbarnsleygirl]

Ooooh I was looking for another company to do it with.

I am with ABA research Counter Intelligence who do the Mystery shops for Arcadia (Topshop, Topman, Dot Perks etc)

Do Retail eye have a website?

[handlemecarefully]

Now that sounds more like my kind of assingment.

Newbarnsleygirl - I was briefly with Retail eye and they were the ones with the overly complicated and mega dull banking assignment

[tassis]

retaileye.co.uk
Do ABA have a website? Like handlemecarefully I'm only being paid a tenner and have zillions of questions to answer in a lot of detail, but i'm looking forward to it (sad, but true).

[Newbarnsleygirl]

I'm like you I'm not so bothered about the money side it's just something I am interested in.
I find it quite exciting.

My first mission was Topshop and I really wanted to rip into them and when I got there everything was spot on!

[Newbarnsleygirl]

Let me try and do a link for you.

MS

[Newbarnsleygirl]

Arghhhh

Doesn't work!

Just go on to the Dorothy Perkins website and they have a link.

[Newbarnsleygirl]

It won't find the website Tassis!

Can you do me a link or can you HMC please?

[tassis]

www.retaileyes.co.uk/shopper/shopperhome.php

sorry I can't do links...

[Newbarnsleygirl]

I've just signed up!

When I clicked on a mission it said they would pay £10 and then I had to spend £20 and it would be re-imbursed so does that mean I keep the item I buy?

With the other company I have to take the item back myself but that Isn't mentioned there.

[Newbarnsleygirl]

bump!

[Newbarnsleygirl]

Bump again!

There's a mission I want to do but am a bit wary as to wether I buy the item and then I get to keep it and get reimbursed.

[collision]

My friend was a mystery shopper for TGIs and she got free meals! That is the sort of assignment I would like.

[bobbybob]

I have done some, fast food is easy, only about 30 things to remember. I did a clothes shop and had to remember about 50 things as well as the web of lies that my scenario was. Took ds as well just to add to the challenge.

Stopped doing it because the food was vile a couple of times in a row and theres no point if it doesn't save me cooking. Also the staff kept not wearing their name badges and it's hard to be anonymous when you have to ask their name or not get paid.

[tassis]

I assumed you got to keep the item, but I'll go back and check...

[Newbarnsleygirl]

How did it go Tssis?

I went back on to the site that night to put my name down for one of the shops and every single mission had gone!!!!

[AuntyQuated]

i do them for focus sales marketting and the service peactice. have done a good few meals out some bowling and Claires Accessories about 100 times!! my brother did a Travel Inn for them but we ahven't been so lucky

[Newbarnsleygirl]

Ooooh is that a company?

Must register with them as well!

[Newbarnsleygirl]

Could you do a link Auntyquated or give me the address please?

Thanks