Has anyone ever heard of a Victoria's Secret shop or is my friend getting scammed?

My friend claims that she is doing a shop and she gets to buy (keep?) $350 worth of merchandise. She said that it's a mystery shop "test". The company is a reputable behemoth that we all know and love/hate. Anyone hear of that?

*********************
I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!

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No.

Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.

Not me.

Notice that scammers use the names of reputable companies. I mean, they're breaking the law anyway, so why not? Can she go to the behomoth's website--standard website that you'll find at the bottom of this page, log in, and find her assignment listed there?

Ishmael Wrote:
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> Notice that scammers use the names of reputable
> companies. I mean, they're breaking the law
> anyway, so why not? Can she go to the behomoth's
> website--standard website that you'll find at the
> bottom of this page, log in, and find her
> assignment listed there?

I know how often this happens, so I am concerned. I'm going to tell her to check the website--good idea. I can send her the link.
She is supposed to send me the e-mails she's received.

*********************
I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!

I would be very, very cautious about this one. Especially if she is a new shopper as a company with a test program with a high dollar value would probably want an established shopper.

Tell her to make sure that she doesn't log in from the link in the e-mail, if there is one! (I've seen the same advice on the MSC's websites. I hate to think of how they feel about their reputation being ruined.)

(I always thought that mystery shopping was a scam, until the place where I worked started being shopped.)

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/20/2014 04:55AM by Ishmael.

RUN LIKE HELL

Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain

Any tests I have been asked to do generally pay and reimburse about the same as the shop will if the contract goes through. When they have paid significantly more it has been for the same reasons any regular shop would have a bonus, travel, rush, etc. Reimbursements have also been in line with shops of a similar nature such as $5 to $10 for a retail purchase.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

The reimbursement will be high only if it was for luxury/high end underwear company-you know the bra fitting company- or where the company wants to check something, or when you had to purchase cosmetics in a specific dept store for a $75 minimum because this would trigger the associate to put a specific promotional item in your bag, or when a large box store wanted to see whether the cashier would propose their credit card when the customer purchased x amount. VS is not a high end underwear store that a customer would have to purchase $350 worth of merchandise to trigger anything.

I did a Victoria's Secret shop about six years ago, where I needed to try on a bra, with an employee advising me. If I remember right, there was $10 reimbursement, and some pay. I meant to buy one pair of panties that would be about $10. Instead, I got carried away with a beautiful and expensive strapless bra. Everyone, have a great day!

If it sounds too good to be true - we all know the rest.

The question here is, is she getting a check up front for the $350 purchase? Lol. If she is not and has to buy all this stuff on her own, the worst off is to double check their return policy and not wear anything until reimbursed.

She probably needs to run. Too good to be true!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/20/2014 11:20PM by SecretAgentMom.

When I got the scam check last year, the name on the check was a reputable company as well, and the bank it was drawn on was a real bank name but the check was not legit. It had instructions something like , cash the check, do the shop, fill out the report, and return what money is left after the shop and your pay. I did not actually do it-but I can see how easy it would be to get caught up in something. If your friend really thinks she has a valid assignment, she should contact the company via a known method. A phone call should be made using a number that is known as good for the company, and not one sent with this assignment. Same goes for e-mail.

I apologize for this question, but how close a friend is she? Is there any possibility that she's just talking big, and doesn't have the knowledge base to invent something plausible?

People like to think that they are special and important. It's really hard to convince them otherwise. Usually, they will accuse you of being jealous. The guy that cut my kid's hair years ago (cheap $15 cut too) was convinced that he was going to get $100 to shop Wal-Mart. He got offended when I tried to explain it was a scam. He wasn't too bright. He wanted to argue it. (Proof that the average IQ is 100.) Anyone with any common sense knows that they aren't going to be hand selected to do this job if they are new. P.T. Barnum comes to mind.

Any updates?

SecretAgentMom Wrote:
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> The question here is, is she getting a check up
> front for the $350 purchase?

No, they have not sent her any money. It's not that type of job (read: scam).

Ishmael--No offense taken. She is my daughter's roommate. She is not the type to make things up--a very solid and responsible young lady. My daughter saw the e-mail.

SoCal--She is a very intelligent girl. I'm sure she will listen to me about being careful. I sent her the link to the legitimate company for her to inspect. She is in the target market for this shop, however, so I can see how it would seem real to her even though her IQ is well above average.

DRJ--I will ask her when I see her this weekend.

*********************
I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!

Could it be a shop and return assignment that wants to test if she gets their special offer, (whatever that would be), that people get if they buy over a certain amount? That would fit in with her being in their target market.

Ishmael Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Could it be a shop and return assignment that
> wants to test if she gets their special offer,
> (whatever that would be), that people get if they
> buy over a certain amount? That would fit in with
> her being in their target market.

That is the only thing I can think of. Or an offer to open a credit card.
Then the return might be up to her.

*********************
I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!

Victoria is shopped. The pay is standard and there is no where near a $350 reimbursement. I think, if memory serves, it is for $10 shop pay and up to $20 reimbursement.

They come out with shops quarterly.

O.o o.O

Happily shopping New England and beyond!!!!!

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Has anyone ever heard of a Victoria's Secret shop or is my friend getting scammed?

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