Mystery Shopping Again!

This weekend, I have undertaken to do a number of mystery shops. This time it is to visit some Tesco Express outlets.

Since the recession started a couple of years ago, the amount of money I get reimbursed has dropped substantially. Now it is hardly worth the effort any more!

I have been a mystery shopper for over 7 years now. When I first started, we were paid an allowance for the use of our internet (£2), mileage allowance (£3.50 maximum with T.N.S.; unlimited with N.O.P.), an allowance towards the cost of the purchase, and finally, a small payment for actually doing the work!

After about a year, the internet payment stopped. Then N.O.P were amalgamated with GFK. They changed their payment system to a one off payment, varying from as low as £6 up to £26 for the more involved and complex tasks. These prices now include all purchases and travelling expenses! To add insult to injury, I have to pay income tax on it too!

T.N.S have also reduced their payments too, but not quite as drastic as GFK. Now they no longer pay any mileage for the assignments.

So far, I have done 2 surveys, and have another 2 to do in the next few days. The first one I did actually cost me money. I think now with the second survey, I have made a small profit (£2)!

What I normally tend to do is wait until the agencies become desperate to complete a survey within a certain deadline, and they call me to see if I can help them out. That is when I begin to negotiate a better price with them, specifically including mileage allowance. Sometimes they say yes, sometimes they will try and call someone else who might do it for less.

I have never wanted to do this sort of work for peanuts. I don't expect a lot, but I will be dammed if I should be out of pocket for doing the work!
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