Tales of A Market Research Reject

I like to take market research surveys on line because I get the chance to offer my opinion and accumulate points to get free stuff, like on eRewards.net, or get the chance to win $10,000 like on Harris Interactive polls.  The survey topics range from things about news to those about medical issues to questions about electronics or cars and I've noticed a disturbing trend.  I get all set to take time out to fill out the whole survey and get $5 of eRewards and then after I answer the first few questions, they determine that I'm not the right type of person to ask further questions of.  They then kick me out of the survey and give me partial credit.  I guess I don't have enough medical ailments or I don't buy enough stuff or I don't live in the right place, but I'm beginning to take it personally.  Why doesn't my opinion matter as much?  Aren't I just as important of a consumer as "the next guy".  It's not like I have no money.  It makes me think of a jury selection type phenomenon.  They don't want certain people who might have education, knowledge or strong opinions.  But that to me doesn't make a person any less of a decision maker or customer from a market worth pursuing.

I'll keep trying to take complete surveys, but this "my opinion's not good enough" partial credit stuff is getting old.  And I recently had to fill out an application for jury duty, but I just don't expect to be called in.

+ Atul

Comments

[chancelucky]

Atul,
maybe they have something like e-harmony for people trying to find the right match with survey questions?

They'll match you up with the right survey and you can be spared the pain of these blind dates with the sort of surveys who never let you score all the points you deserve.

I haven't seen a website for it so don't have a link for now, but ....

[Atul]

There's an idea, an eHarmony for market research. You'd think they'd send my name to research for unsual people or something at least.

I actually did another two eRewards survey today and got kicked out by one in 4 clicks and by the other in 6 clicks. Oh well, I can take it.