David
Cincinnati,#2Consumer Suggestion
Mon, November 08, 2004
I work in Market Research. When we do work for a customer, we contact customers with specific demographics that we are trying to evaluate. We call or sometimes email people with an offer to partake in a project. We ask that they answer some demographic questions to see if they meet the requirements of our customer. Some of the projects I have been involved in where for retail stores, fast food restaurants and financial service firms. First and foremost to participate is the requirement that you eat, buy or charge what they are interested in testing. We pay people to participate. We have done some toy studies, but we pay, not leave products with the customer. As a professional, from time to time a vendor has offered me a item for free or at a special discount. I would not expect to receive a free computer if I was not an IT manager, or a free set of golf clubs if I was not a golf pro. I am an IT Director, and I do not recive free computers, but sometimes free software. If the offer is too good to be true, it is too good and expect a scam. IBM, HP, Dell and Apple do not need hundreds of testers. And think how many golf pros are in your town - they do not need the average golfer to test their product. Beware of the Trojan Horse - you may pay and still not get a thing.
Eva
Los Angeles,#3Consumer Comment
Sun, October 17, 2004
Kerry, What are the names of legitimate companies and what should one look for to know one is real and not a bait and switcher.