Are people really feeling the pinch?

Never seen anything like this but wonder if your advertising makes it clear that no personal information would be collected? Even just asking for an email address or phone number can put some people off

I do the yougov surveys you have to do about a 1,000 to “earn” £50 🙄 so this sounds a good deal

I recently did a 1:1 face to face in a convenient local hotel to discuss a new retirement village. It was interesting, lasted half an hour and I got £90 cash which I was very pleased with.

I've been out and about in my local area shopping centre and retail parks and been astounded at the amount of Christmas "junk" in trolleys. Boxes of decorations, novelty battery type ornaments, lights galore, plastic pine branches?, musical door mats. One shopping mall is in a recognised area of deprivation. Perhaps people shopping at the low cost supermarkets are saving enough to be able to afford the seasonal must have decorations.

I would love to take part if it was in my area / happy memories of university days when did a lot (very mature student 1997-2000) mostly for books or luncheon vouchers !!!

Is it a reputable company they can afford to use? Aga oncedidsomething similar in a village hall near my last home. Three quarters of the village was Council housing which didn't have them - the rest were commuter belt, all at work a 2pm...

I belonged to a Virgin Atlantic focus group. The dinner was held in a London club with great food and I met interesting people. The survey was in the form of questions by the research people which took place during the dinner. Very informal and relaxed and was good to hear other oriole’s views. And I got paid £75. I did a series of these between 2017-2018

Your main obstacle is as stated. It looks too good to be true and people are wary. They think it's a scam.

I think some folks are and some folks aren't. DH and I went out Thurs to a village pub for lunch. Not a cheap place. But it was pretty busy. Quite a few older folk. But I'm sure there must be pensioners who are struggling. I think the hardest struck people must be those young families with children. I wouldn't like to be feeding a couple of teenagers just now. There's a big worry about mortgage rises. And I think young families must be struggling to save a rainy day fund.

Perhaps ask someone & then see if they like to bring their neighbours?

Pre-Covid I did quite a lot of research. Unfortunately it’s now on Teams or Zoom which I am not too keen on. A lot of the research was held in nice hotels with refreshments provided. Occasionally they would want to film the interview if it was a 1:1. At the end I would be paid in cash - I never had to provide bank details. Whitewavemark2 I would definitely not say it’s a waste of time as you usually have to go through a few questions to see if you are the right demographic to help shape particular services, including healthcare and utilities. I once did a chocolate research (which at the end turned out to be for Mars). That was a two hour session in the evening over 6 weeks where you gave your opinion on everything including the packaging. That was very enjoyable. I would say £50 for 90 minutes is fair. Just do it - you’ll enjoy it!

Same here Beesh . We have done loads of these over the years. My husband has just done one for a big supermarket and was paid £70.

‘ Also, a well-established older retiree may not be interested in something unfamiliar.’

Eh?

Older? Not so good with the new? Such ageist stereotyping I’d expect on MN, but not on GN.

Well-established? I’ll leave that one with you.

Grannynannywanny

Maybe I’m just not looking in the right places but I’ve never seen anything like this advertised. If I did my immediate reaction would be it’s a scam.

Presumably bank details have to be provided to receive the £50. That would be enough to put me off.

That would be my concern too. I registered to do some online surveys, but as soon as my bank details were requested I withdrew and deleted my application. Time after time we are warned about handing out our personal details, so perhaps that is the issue?

TanaMa

There are so many people 'feeling the pinch' at the moment with tales if woe BUT despite the economic situation at the moment I am amazed at the number of people who can afford to be at the World football in Doha - families with 2 or more children. I wonder how.many of those attending are on benefits and will be expecting the Govt to come to their rescue?!

What? Utter nonsense comment

Maybe it's the wrong time of year. Dark cold nights and only a few weeks to Christmas. Not the most convienent time. You also need to look at transport difficulties if Pele have to travel.

The OP explained that it's cash on the day.

Sago

I am organising some focus groups in 6 different parts of my home City.
Some of the groups are to take place in areas that are considered poor.
Each respondent will get £50 for 90 minutes.
I honestly thought people would be beating my door down but no.
I am quite frankly astonished.

They are probably giving every hour God sends to trying to make things work.

I agree with Iam. This is much more likely to appeal to middle income people with time on their hands and a belief in such things as focus groups - although they may be busy with Christmas.

If this is your line of work, you must have known there would be groups who would not see such groups positively. The greater the poverty the greater the believed and actual lack of agency. They will see no point in what you are doing. I am surprised you are surprised.

One problem is that something like this can cause trouble with benefits.

Yes, I am certain people are feeling the pinch, as everyone I know is.

But I am also certain that we are all sick and tired of consumer research and very concerned about what the information we provide is actually used for.

And, most of us realise that if the research is done over the computer the mere thought of being anonymous is ridiculous, as any IT man or woman can find out who we are, unless we think to defeat them, or try to, by filling in the form on the public library's computer rather than our own.

And offering to pay people for taking part in a research project does sound like a scam.

I would consider it a scam . Others may too
Maybe it would be better received if offering vouchers for a supermarket as nobody needs to provide bank details

Has it really not occurred that if you get the money,

IT IS TAKEN OFF YOUR BENEFITS?
AND.... it causes long delays while the new income is being processed and people lose out as mistakes often occur. You stand to lose the regularity of that very small income.

It is also taxable income, so those just on the threshold are obliged to declare it as income.

So the very people you want most are going to regard you with a great deal caution.

I thin your best route in is to actually approach food banks and other projects via trusted leaders/organisers and adopt a very informal approach. More like surveys to individuals.

Many people are not used to "discussion group" situations - this is seen as "not for the likes of me" stuff. People may feel ashamed....suspicious....exposed...even angry. there will be exceptions of course, people prepared to give a POV willingly,

I can't see it working as a sit down group unless you find a project where the project leaders ARE trusted people and can organise perhaps a very informal situation..

Some strange replies! Of course some people are feeling the pinch. Why are they not responding? Who knows. But don’t assume it means they aren’t in need. There are 64 food banks in my city

kjmpde

I would consider it a scam . Others may too
Maybe it would be better received if offering vouchers for a supermarket as nobody needs to provide bank details

Op has already said no bank details are taken. Does nobody read threads ?

From experience no personal information was given. One I went to was for Rohan the outdoor clothing people, it was held at their new shop in Bristol. First we were asked which brands we bought. Then we were asked for comments on various clothing, did we consider them well made, value for money, etc. we also had s look around the shop and asked for comments. We were given hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and cake plus £60. Took just over an hour. Enjoyable time with much laughter and talk, will do it again snytime