Your Opinion Really Is Worth Something
Trying out new products can put dollars in your wallet and fun in your life. Because companies need the opinions and feedback of consumers, opportunities to test products and become a mystery shopper abound. It is just a matter of knowing where to look.
Melissa Sands, our staff writer and researcher, recently took part in a nail polish test. While at the mall, she was asked to participate in a market survey. She spent 10 minutes and was paid $10 for having two different kinds of nail polish applied and answering several questions. She came back five days later, and they checked the quality of polish. After five minutes, she was paid an additional $20.
An easy place to search is the Yellow Pages under “Marketing Research and Analysis.” One subscriber to The Penny Pincher called companies listed and volunteered to participate. Tests she has performed include rating particular restaurants on quality and service. She is paid a fee and reimbursed for the meal. She also has been enlisted to buy and return department store items and report on service for the initial purchase and how the return was handled. She says it is a fun way to earn extra money and get free lunches and products.
Two companies who do testing in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico are Shop and Check, P.O. Box 28175, Atlanta, GA 30358-8175 (write for an application), and Marketing Image, 325 John Knox Rd C-128, Tallahassee, FL 32303.
Here are five top cosmetic and hair-care companies that try out products in development on volunteers to gather opinions.
Redken (in California): (818) 992-3150.
Mary Kay conducts focus groups in its Dallas Research Center: (214) 905-6503.
Sebastian (in California): (800) 829-7322.
Aveda (in Minnesota): (800) 283-3224.
L’Oreal (in New York): (212) 984-4164.
Some of these companies do local testing only, while others use testers around the country. Give your name, address and phone for information by mail.
My first experience as a product tester came through my church 12 years ago in Dallas. The tests were coordinated by a local marketing research firm. My job was to complete a questionnaire after preparing the food according to specific instructions and then eating it. I rated the products on taste and packaging. I enjoyed getting paid to try a product and learned that people often choose one product over another because of package appeal, regardless of price and product quality.
We recently awarded The Penny Pincher Value Award to the Shoe Testers Association (STA). Members, who pay a $25 annual membership fee, buy at or below wholesale prices from a selection of national name-brand athletic shoes, such as Reebok, Nike, Wilson, Dr. Scholl, Converse, Puma, Bass and LA Gear. They also carry a limited supply of “seconds” in Stride Rite shoes for children for $10 or less. For filling out a survey, STA members get between $4 and $10 in “bonus bucks” that can be used to buy other wholesale-priced shoes listed in STA’s newsletter. The amount of bonus bucks given for each survey varies by the amount of effort the member puts into it. It’s possible to accumulate so many bonus bucks that members earn free shoes. For membership information and application, call (803) 583-1002 or write: STA, 2155 Chesnee Hwy, Spartanburg, SC 29303. A sample newsletter is $3.
Sometimes, becoming a product tester is as easy as opening the mail. I recently received a great offer in the mail from Federal Express. By completing a survey about its service, I received a calendar and free shipment for an overnight letter!
When eating at your favorite restaurant, ask the manager or inquire on a restaurant comment card if they need customers to be mystery shoppers. Wendy’s is one of several restaurants who use mystery shoppers to rate quality of food and service.
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