Frequently Asked Questions
What is People Shop?
People Shop is a directory service you can use to sell your skill, time or service to people looking for help. We mainly focus on the informal labour market (rather than established businesses). Sellers could be students, retired people or working professionals who want to earn money in their spare time.
How does it work?
It’s all very simple:
- You register your skills, availability, rates and location using our online system
- When a Customer wants to book you we send you a text and email
- We pass your contact details to the Customer and vice versa
- We pass your contact details on to the Customer and vice versa
- The Customer pays you when you complete the job
- The Customer provides satisfaction feedback
What do I need to register?
You need to be 18 or over and entitled to work in the UK. You will also need to have a UK address, email address, PayPal account, UK bank account and a mobile phone.
What skills are available?
Our database includes a broad range of skills and services based on what Customers have asked for.
What do the skill levels mean?
The skill level you select for each service will be presented to Customers as rosettes:
- Green = Average. This shows you have limited skill or experience
- Silver = Experienced. This means you have done this type of work on more than one occasion
- Gold = Expert. As suggested, this means you have experience and/or qualification/training
How do I attract Customers?
When you register you create a personal profile, which will give Customers details of when and where you previously applied your skills. Positive feedback will help attract yet more Customers, as will keeping your prices realistic and competitive.
What should I write in my personal profile?
Your personal profile is a brief and honest summary of your skills and experience. You might like to include phrases such as:
- “I am a willing and hard worker with limited experience but lots of enthusiasm and pride in what I do”
- “I am a skilled professional who wants to earn some extra money – and can provide references if required”
- “Skilled parent who wants to work around school times”
How does the star rating work?
Customers will be asked to rate you on time keeping, courtesy, value for money and quality of services using an on line form. There will also be space for further comment. The score on the website will be based on your average last five scores. If a Customer doesn't complete the feedback form within a reasonable period you will automatically be given a positive satisfaction rating.
What if I don't have any customer satisfaction ratings?
Everyone has to start somewhere and Customers know that. You may want to offer a competitive rate initially to attract Customers and indicate in your personal profile whether you can provide references. Customers will know that you are willing to be rated after completion and are keen to build a positive profile.
Who determines the price of a job?
You do. When you register you will be asked to put your hourly rate for the job or service you are offering. People Shop will display that exact rate – we do not add a mark up. Obviously it is to your advantage to remain reasonably and competitively priced.
How much should I charge?
It’s entirely up to you. Try to be realistic and think what you would be prepared to pay for the service and skill level you are offering. Customers are generally happy to pay more for good, reliable people, so you may decide to increase your rates as your Customer satisfaction rating increases.
Does People Shop take a cut or % commission?
No, we do not.
How do I get paid?
The Customer pays you directly and how you settle a transaction is between you and the customer. The options are:
- The Customer pays you by cash or cheque once you have completed the work
- The Customer pays by credit or debit card payment via your PayPal account once you have completed the work
Please remember that payment is between you and the Customer, People Shop does not guarantee payment.
What are the People Shop charges?
There are no upfront charges - you only pay a booking fee if you get work. You can review our current charges here.
How do I pay people Shop charges?
Payment to People Shop is via your Credit/Debit Card or PayPal account
How do I know there is a job waiting for me?
Once you have registered you become available for work. If a Customer selects you, you will receive a text to your mobile and an email advising you that there is job waiting for you on your People Shop account. You will need to logon to your People Shop account to accept the job.
How long do I have to accept a job?
You should accept a job as quickly as possible as the job will be given on a first come first serve basis.
What happens if I have accepted a job and then I am unable to make that date?
Simply contact the Customer to offer an alternative date or cancel the job. The Customer is not obliged to accept the alternative date you proposed and may chose to cancel the job. Please note that People Shop's booking fee is not refundable.
What happens if I turn up for a job and the Customer is not there?
Try to contact the Customer by telephone to see what's happened. It also worth providing evidence that you were there such as a note through the door or taking a photo with your mobile as proof of your attendance. We have no control and are not responsible for the reliability of Customers. We regret that in accordance with our Cancellation Policy we are unable to return the booking fee you paid.
What happens if a job takes longer than expected?
You should discuss this directly with the Customer and come to a mutual agreement.
Do I need insurance?
It is advisable for you to have insurance relevant to the services you are offering. If you do not have insurance any liability will fall directly on you. In accordance with our Terms and Conditions People does not accept any liability resulting from the contract between yourself and the Customer.
What happens if there is a dispute?
Any dispute between you and the Customer is for you to resolve directly with the Customer. People Shop will not arbitrate disputes between Customers and Sellers.
What happens if I want to make a complaint about the Customer?
As we have stated elsewhere, People Shop will not arbitrate dispute resolutions between Customers and Sellers. However if you feel it is relevant you can Contact us to identify the circumstances around the incident so that if we consider it appropriate, at our sole discretion, we may Suspend the Customer’s use of our Services in accordance with our Terms and Conditions or take any other steps available to us at our absolute discretion
Am I safe going into someone's home?
As in any other situation where you are going into someone's home we would strongly recommend you let someone know where you're going, who you are meeting and roughly how long you will be. Personal safety is all about common sense and you should always trust your instincts.
How can I unsubscribe from People Shop?
To unsubscribe please email info@peopleshop.co.uk from your People Shop login email address with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line and your name, post code and phone number in the email body text. Your account will be tagged for deletion and your request actioned when the systems administrator next runs the process.
Questions for Customers