tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post5910561915609910623..comments2024-03-19T07:27:06.216-04:00Comments on VOTARIES OF HORROR: Kate's Battles Against Annoying Companies (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Stamps.com, Audience Studies, Inc. Updated)Katherine Woodburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14364517253667798449noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-36330083502878631032018-05-02T22:52:08.358-04:002018-05-02T22:52:08.358-04:00It is readily apparent to me that Audience Studies...It is readily apparent to me that Audience Studies, Inc. is a scam--to <i>its</i> clients. The claims that its methods are scientific is laughable. The most obvious problem is that their test audience is highly self-selective. The length of the viewing interviews is also indicative of sloppy "methodology" as is the nature of the questions. I suspect the purpose is a) to give the "analysts" lots from which to pick and choose and b) to use the volume of responses to hide the number of people responding and the quality of their responses.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04450897654318345683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-7958042816507333182013-08-05T18:02:33.973-04:002013-08-05T18:02:33.973-04:00I worked for ASI back in 1967 and 1968. It was run...I worked for ASI back in 1967 and 1968. It was run a lot differently back then. People were invited to the Preview House at 7655 Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood. Usually, they watched a REAL movie (I saw Night of the Generals) when I went as an invited employee of ASI and took some of my friends. Some people were able to press a button if they liked or disliked something. But, there were questionaires to fill out about the commercials. It looks like ASI has definintely changed a lot since then, and unfortunately, not for the better. But, when I worked there I really enjoyed it and the people I worked with. It was a CLASS operation. Hopefully, they will be again some day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-62572895867534321242013-06-11T14:06:09.294-04:002013-06-11T14:06:09.294-04:00I recently agreed to keep a television journal for...I recently agreed to keep a television journal for the Nielsen Ratings' folks. And since I wrote this post about Audience Studies to begin with, I wanted to go on record: Nielsen Company does market research right! The company contacted me, got my agreement, sent me the journal--money enclosed!--on time, and followed up to see if I had any questions. The journal was exactly what the individual on the phone said it would be and although I got tired of filling it out after a week, it didn't require that much effort on my part. I also didn't have to spend hours on the phone answering leading questions. Kudos to good market researchers! Kate Woodburyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06276977170991272672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-69911482718117314122011-01-15T19:04:29.962-05:002011-01-15T19:04:29.962-05:00Just so every one knows I used to work for Audienc...Just so every one knows I used to work for Audience Studies, and the surveys we conducted were just to get your opinions on the commercials. We could care less aboutt he TV show. Whenever we asked questions about the show, we didnt record your opinions, we only recorded your opinions when asked about the commercials. It really is a dumb survey. Sorry everyone :p, I dont work there anymore anyway haha.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-9359037682753378132010-02-02T18:21:17.729-05:002010-02-02T18:21:17.729-05:00I'm so glad for this post, where can vent! I ...I'm so glad for this post, where can vent! I enjoy market research, and think I have a great perspective and have good feedback to give. (I'm sure most everyone does!) But I do NOT appreciate being tricked into taking a 40 minute long survey, while I have 3 kids under the age of 6 demanding my attention. I do not blame the interviewer (who kept yawning on the phone, poor thing) I am calling and complaining to Pringles (who the survey was majorly about). I believe that if enough people complained to the perspective company that the survey was discussing, they would stop using such a dishonest form of opinion finding.srbushmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08182230651940786331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-11685882273132050232009-11-16T19:17:19.609-05:002009-11-16T19:17:19.609-05:00My thoughts about this whole thing, which I too go...My thoughts about this whole thing, which I too got caught up in, are this: I have a marketing degree acquired many years ago and this type of marketing research is ridiculous. If companies want REAL feedback, then a "studies" company needs to reconstruct it's fact gathering processes. Instead of offering limited options of answers for the surveyee to choose from, just ask what product brands within each category that individual uses. Honestly, people are smarter than given credit. <br /><br />Secondly, the reality of original "marketing" call being made is not supposed to happen for anyone who is on the "Do Not Call" list. It is a federal offense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-22070186319966309832009-08-23T14:45:03.684-04:002009-08-23T14:45:03.684-04:00This is a message for some of you very rude people...This is a message for some of you very rude people I sadly have to call 4 days a week:<br /><br />Saying "uh huh" is rude. Common sense and just simple manners, I guess some people lack. When answering the phone saying "uh huh" makes you sound like an uneducated ignorant hillbilly and FYI the proper response to thank you is your welcome NOT "uh huh"<br /><br />So thank you to those who have manners and respond accordingly even if they don't want to do the survey. To the rest of you... all the best and I really hope you read this and learn something.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-18934311101738818702009-08-17T23:53:50.055-04:002009-08-17T23:53:50.055-04:00I received this dvd. Although the proposal seems t...I received this dvd. Although the proposal seems truly suspicious as a scam, I figured it won't be able to harm me in anyway since it's in a dvd player , so I tried it anyway. When the first commercial came up, it became apparent to me that it is about commercials and most probably nothing about the show.<br />However, I don't feel bad about it. I know it is perfectly reasonable for marketing company to set up a certain "story" in order to get reasonable survey results, and I actually feel "sorry" that I saw through their disguise. Anyway, after viewing the comments here, it confirmed me about the company purpose, and I would like to share some of my time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-87242594905135244892009-07-30T19:19:21.121-04:002009-07-30T19:19:21.121-04:00I have to say, I was much more sympathetic and wil...I have to say, I was much more sympathetic and willing to participate having read all of these comments and knowing what to expect. And if anyone here works with a guy who just learned how to pronounce "feisty" while interviewing me, tell him I said hi. :)LaurenChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12219220388785758048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-48635790244073725452009-06-30T16:57:01.633-04:002009-06-30T16:57:01.633-04:00I also did this study and I did it all the way thr...I also did this study and I did it all the way through and was supposed to receive 10 Bucks for doing the entire thing. When I got my mail today I had an envelope from the United States Postal Service and inside was the letter from Audience Studies that said enclosed is your cash gift. But, someone from the post office has stolen it out and threw away the original envelope and put it in theirs. This isn't the first time the post office has stolen money from where I live. Did anybody receive any money from this study?Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06194431956921331298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-16073694468266643152009-06-26T16:23:34.824-04:002009-06-26T16:23:34.824-04:00I'm so glad to read these other comments. I a...I'm so glad to read these other comments. I am disgusted with the dishonesty that was used to get consumer thoughts on products. I have emailed P&G and will not be buying their products. There are too many unethical business practices. There should be repercussions for those companies who use such practices. I would encourage others to send a message to the companies who hire Audience Studies.<br />DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-58222852389459125842009-06-25T06:24:27.331-04:002009-06-25T06:24:27.331-04:00I work for a company that ASI outsources their wor...I work for a company that ASI outsources their work to. I will say this. . . this is not a scam. Not in any way shape or form. However, it sounds like a scam and is set up like a scam would be set up and is deceptive. When being trained on how to recruit people for these studies, I remember the higher ups telling us these in almost verbatim form "We really don't care what they have to say when we ask these questions about the show. . . what we really care about are the commercials but don't tell them that." I remember when the question was asked "What if they ask how long the callback will take?" They answered "It will take about an hour to an hour and a half, but you CAN NOT tell the respondent that." and then when everyone was getting trained on the callbacks for these types of jobs, they said "At this part, where you're asking them these open ended questions about the show. . . just pretend to care and lightly tap the keyboard so it sounds like you're typing but really we don't care."<br /><br />So all in all, do the survey, you could get a $100 prize and you'll help out a fellow human being. It sounds like a scam but it really isn't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-58519451449270737692009-06-07T13:44:35.620-04:002009-06-07T13:44:35.620-04:00My wife worked for a market research firm doing te...My wife worked for a market research firm doing telephone interviews while in college and I have a background in marketing. <br /><br />The "employee" posts tracks well with the experience my wife reports (rude interviewees, hang-ups, and general nastiness toward her personally). Hey folks, they're just trying to do an honest job--there's no reason to be so venomous towards a fellow human being!<br /><br />The scary thing about Audience Studies, Inc., however, is that thay have the appearance of a scam--enough truth to be believable, but you're left wondering if you're being set up for a fall (which is why I'm checking up on them before watching the DVD). <br /><br />I've not seen any posts that someone's been taken financially, or in some other way irreparably injured. So it sounds like ASI just does a lousy job of training their people before sending them out to fend for themselves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-81474284002488851222009-05-28T00:32:41.272-04:002009-05-28T00:32:41.272-04:00After all the blogs I found here, the one question...After all the blogs I found here, the one question I couldn't find answered anywhere was...did anyone actually receive the magical box of "prizes"? I assume not...based on the comments posted here. I've watched the show, filled out the forms, but haven't done the interview yet (and don't plan to).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-47170831027490811452009-05-25T00:44:02.458-04:002009-05-25T00:44:02.458-04:00I fell for it too. I figured it was probably for ...I fell for it too. I figured it was probably for market research, but I thought they would at least give me something that was mildly entertaining, watching the show was more likely to kill me than entertain me. <br /><br />My favorite part of the experience was that I had to have the caller repeat herself incessantly because there was a bad connection or something. I was in the middle of finals but thought Id do the nice thing and lend them some of my time. Like 50 minutes into the process I think the caller got tired of repeating herself and told me that was all she needed to know. <br /><br />We all should have been compensated for at least having the watch that awful show, let alone answering the questions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-8883471459742224742009-03-16T20:47:00.000-04:002009-03-16T20:47:00.000-04:00Just received the packet today and I was hesitant ...Just received the packet today and I was hesitant to give my info over the phone, but reluctantly did. The guy told me it was coming by UPS of Fed Ex, so I gave my physical address and received it on the day I am supposed to watch it at my post office box. I decided to google their company before I opened. Not sure I'm even going to watch, but I gave my word. I'm sure not going to fill out booklets, nor be on the phone for 30+ minutes tomorrow! Last time I agree to anything over the phone!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-11942052611149912052009-02-19T08:41:00.000-05:002009-02-19T08:41:00.000-05:00I was also very angry that I wwasted all this time...I was also very angry that I wwasted all this time on a maxi pad commercical, which I do not care about! I tthought I was giving imput into a TV show, which I felt was worth my time. Maxi pads are not worth 1 1/2 hours of my life.<BR/>I was also mad that the interviewer had to read all the answers for every single question. Ishe said she had to give all the answers, so I don't blame her personally, but these rules are just wasting more of my time. It's also a waste of my time asking me the same questions over and over again, and it's a waste of my time to ask me certain questions when say I've never bought maxi pads. It's called common sense people! I just said I never use this product and then I get asked a question about what are my thoughts when making the choice to buy this product! I'll never fall for this kind of scam again. and yes Audience studies people, it's a scam when I'm lied to waste my time on something I deem uunimportant. You're not getting your prize book back or your lame DVD!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-47193561210097396382009-02-17T18:43:00.000-05:002009-02-17T18:43:00.000-05:00My phone rang 7 times in less than 30 minutes from...My phone rang 7 times in less than 30 minutes from a "market research" number on a Friday night. I got so tired of them calling I finally answered and agreed to watch their DVD and respond with a follow up call on 2/17/09. I put the DVD in my computer since that is basically how I watch DVD's and it wouldn't play and then it shut down my computer. After that I decided to just look at the "prize" booklets and then wing the interview. One look at booklet 1 I was a little unsure about the whole sitcom research and then I looked at booklet 2 and noticed it was similar and had nothing at all to do with sitcom's and decided to look it up online. <BR/><BR/>I had a feeling this was shady the second the dvd wouldn't play and it booted my system, I'm glad I found this site and read up on it before I got stuck on the phone for an hour talking about product research issues.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-7499793147109232942009-02-17T13:35:00.000-05:002009-02-17T13:35:00.000-05:00For all of you who, like me, tried to be nice to t...For all of you who, like me, tried to be nice to the phone poller after watching the Rocky LaPorte show (which by the way has been done already to death!)I too triedto be patient AND NICE BUT after 45 minutes they wanted me to put the disk back in and watch another commercial. Please, justbe up front from the first call and tell me you want to know which products I use, which I like and which I would consider buying. DO NOT call me and lie. It was a horror!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-39932848385865974002009-02-10T23:52:00.000-05:002009-02-10T23:52:00.000-05:00I've been working with the company for a few month...I've been working with the company for a few months now and yes it's annoying but the pay is decent. Sorry for the inconvenient calls, we all...well I try and I know most people try to be nice on the phone so please be nice back. =)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-76708394453800454802009-02-08T01:57:00.000-05:002009-02-08T01:57:00.000-05:00I work there too and the best answer is if you are...I work there too and the best answer is if you are even a little suspicious "Just say no!" It will save both you and us a lot of grief!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-88911846172242446082009-02-04T10:08:00.000-05:002009-02-04T10:08:00.000-05:00I, too, wanted to play the game, "Do You Like This...I, too, wanted to play the game, "Do You Like This TV Show?" I wasted over an hour of my life with their booklets, DVD and phone interview. When the phone interviewer got to the point where she wanted me to put the DVD back into the player to lok at something again, I was done. Just say, "NO" to Audience Studies. It wasn't fun at any level.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-63625116175088175722009-01-30T11:49:00.000-05:002009-01-30T11:49:00.000-05:00Well, they can kiss my smoochie.I feel violated. A...Well, they can kiss my smoochie.I feel violated. After I watched the CD it confirmed my suspicion that is was market research and nothing more. I think all of the top management in the video work for audience studies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-74905184800920536602008-12-10T19:26:00.000-05:002008-12-10T19:26:00.000-05:00Well, I think that maybe smiles1369 was the person...Well, I think that maybe smiles1369 was the person who called me...lol! The man I spoke with had confidence enough to get me to say sure, which is not easy to do. <BR/>I am, like most of us am very busy with my every day life, and don't have time for this.<BR/>I am glad though, that I decided to google ASI before even opening the package sent to me. After reading how terrible the DVD is and spending another 30 or more minutes on the phone, I think it will remain unopened...lol!<BR/>However, Smiles, I do appreciate market research and I do appreciate (and sympathize) with those of you who do the calling! So good luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-7726496763663168842008-10-01T17:02:00.000-04:002008-10-01T17:02:00.000-04:00After 32 minutes on the phone with this young man ...After 32 minutes on the phone with this young man for whom English was NOT his first language, I was really frustrated and not at all happy with this process! First of all, he asked me whether or not I saw a commercial during the DVD about "cuffs." I said no. Then he inquired as to whether I recalled seeing a commercial about a product called "Ro-bit-i-sun." Again, I said no. Finally, after getting the instructions to watch a commercial at the end of the DVD while he waited on the phone, I saw that it was about someone with a cough and Robitussin! Good Grief! I'm pretty bright and still could not tell what in the hell this guy was talking about! A total waste of my time and more likely a waste of time for whoever paid for the survey to be done!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com