Focus Groups - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**bluepea** · 12-07-2005, 10:13 AM

I heard of these awhile back, but never really thought much of it. Since I have way too much time on my hands, I surf craigslist a lot. I found a lot of focus groups advertised, so I applied for a couple. I was eligible for one this week and one next week. At the end of the session, I walk out the door wiht $75 USD. Sweet deal. Anyhow, since saving/making a little extra bling bling seems to be the topic of choice as of late, just wanted to know if anyone else has done one? Does it suck?

Also thought I'd share the idea for those of you living in or near major cities. It seems to range from about 50-150 dollars per session. Anyhow, a little extra money, especially around this time of the year doesn't hurt.

**SuDz** · 12-07-2005, 10:55 AM

An added tip is to be very vocal at the meeting about how you feel. I have found that usually the most vocal person gets a little extra something towards the end. It might be a big sample of what they tested, a gift basket, or sometimes and extra $25 bucks or so.

They don't do that at all of them but its worth a shot.

Most of them are pretty easy and cool actually. They only take like a hour or so too, which is nice.

SuDZ

**pinion** · 12-07-2005, 11:27 AM

This sounds awesome...where do I sign up?

Time to start searching Craig's List!

**bluepea** · 12-07-2005, 12:02 PM

Go to your area of Craigslist and then go to the etc areas under the jobs. They have them listed there and you just contact the person.

**LostFarmboy** · 12-07-2005, 02:19 PM

You get paid $75 for an hour!!! What exactly do you have to do at these focus groups??

**SuDz** · 12-07-2005, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LostFarmboy@Dec 7 2005, 05:19 PM
You get paid $75 for an hour!!! What exactly do you have to do at these focus groups??

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Try a product and tell them what you think about it basically.

SuDZ

**kingcrazylegs** · 12-07-2005, 06:40 PM

wow, this sounds like an interesting way to make money. Is it boring?

**travelpunk** · 12-07-2005, 07:13 PM

No. You sit there and they'll have you test out different potato chips (for example) and get your feedback. Ask your opinion about the car you drive and improvements that need to be made. What you think about their product line, by showing you slides.

Basically anything on the market for consumers, was most likely tested in focus groups.

Find the focus groupl organizations in your cities and go there or have them fax you an application.

You will most likely have questions like what your income is, kind of car you drive, if you drink, smoke, allergies, age, etc...

This is so they know who to call when they have a specific product they need to test or want feedback from.

**kingcrazylegs** · 12-07-2005, 08:07 PM

^sounds pretty cool - not a bad gig

**LostFarmboy** · 12-07-2005, 08:32 PM

that sounds like a wicked way to make a bit of extra cash...easy money baby

xanthuos · 12-07-2005, 10:14 PM

Jamie, I've done two in Chicago actually...well, technically I only completed one focus group. The other one, I showed up and they had too many people so they paid me anyway

Chicago actually seems like the best city for doing focus groups in - at least judged by the posts on craigslist. Focus groups are pretty neat, especially when they involve edible or drinkable products.

**travelpunk** · 12-07-2005, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xanthuos@Dec 7 2005, 10:14 PM
The other one, I showed up and they had too many people so they paid me anyway*

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There's the angle, folks! Show up late, get piznaid, and go home! Cha-ching

!

**The Monsignor** · 12-07-2005, 11:49 PM

I did it once, it was awsome... get this, they paid me 60 bucks to go home and test alcoholic beverages!

They even provided the booze for free (not enough to get lit on, but certainly enough for a head start)

They like you better if you not only can provide your opinion to them, but if you're able to justify your opinion - why did you like dislike it, should the flavor be smoother, what kind of impression do you get of the people that use the product...

the more introspective and descriptive you get, the more they like you...

I got called back on a couple other groups - commercials ('nice pants') etc..

all in all, not a bad gig, though you can't make a living that way...

**TheJake** · 12-08-2005, 04:26 AM

I've been watching craigslist phoenix for months have yet to see any! damn desert...

**MeTurk** · 12-08-2005, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Basically anything on the market for consumers, was most likely tested on focus groups.

I wonder do they test everything like that? Like grenades...

I can imagine it now, you pull the pin and throw the grenade in the door. Wait for the bang then go in and ask everyone's opinion...
Tester: So Alan what did you think of our new product?
Alan: It hurts! It hurts!
Tester: I see, and would you describe the pain as excruciating or just very painful?

**bluepea** · 12-08-2005, 08:20 AM

That rocked you guys. They had sandwiches and beverages for while we were waiting, then we just sat around and talked about cell phone stuff. They showed us a commercial for a new company coming to the states and we discussed what we'd want and the prices of rate plans, etc. Then, we leave and get handed an envelope.

No, it wasn't boring. You are interacting the whole time, the group leader asks you questions, you discuss things thoroughly, etc.

I wouldn't mind getting paid to show up and go home.

Not like I minded the focus group, but you know.

Anyhow, I have another next week. This gives me a great reason to go hang out downtown. Yeah, I see them listed everyday for Chicago.

**SuDz** · 12-08-2005, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Monsignor@Dec 8 2005, 02:49 AM
I did it once, it was awsome... get this, they paid me 60 bucks to go home and test alcoholic beverages!

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Thats how mine was too. I went in andthey had like 6 beer samples to try out. The first one was awful and I told them how god awful it was and some people looked at me like I was being rude. They then told us at the end it was made to be gross to weed out the people who would give an honest answer about the taste and those who were just trying to be polite and not say anything bad. I guess they get theirs tossed out pretty much because "they like everything" is what he said.

SuDZ

**joanofarc** · 12-09-2005, 11:50 AM

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/vol/115392181.html

never really been on craigs list before, not much anyway. so i started looking for a focus group in my area, but i ended up finding this in the volunteers section. WHAT THE HELL?! man, i wonder if anyone will respond. hahah. there's a shit load more like that too. i just read one on and oral sex "study" - fucking internet.

**bluepea** · 12-09-2005, 11:53 AM

Haha yeah, you find some funky stuff on there. A man that needed women guinea pigs for him to practice brazilian waxes, a guy that wants a "nude housekeeper," men willing to clean carpet in their underwear... Interesting stuff out there. CL rocks though. I find so much awesome stuff on there.