Fieldwork Inc is one of those marketing research firms that does paid focus groups out of their SF offices. They are a national company with a branch in SF.
For anyone interested, focus groups, surveys and "studies" for marketing purposes can be a great way to line your pockets with a bit of extra weekend money for usually an hour or two of giving your opinions or just giving feedback on your use of items or services, etc. In these tight times, a little extra cash is kinda nice.
There are many great and reputable companies that do this sort of stuff, but you need to be aware of some of the pitfalls. Unfortunately, Fieldwork Inc is one that I encountered some of those pitfalls and found them VERY unprofessional.
1) I found their ad on Craigslist, so beware if you see their ads.
2) It's not unusual to answer several pre-screening questions by e-mail. Then if your answers have potential, they will call you and usually ask the exact same questions.
3) At that point if you still qualify they will usually either set up a date/time then for you to participate or hand you off to a "scheduler" to set everything up.
4) Normally they confirm everything in an email as well.
5) Usually you will receive either a phone call or message a day or so before to remind you to attend.
Fieldwork did all of the above, but their "harassment" and infringement on my personal time had my annoyance level starting to gain height. quickly. I was called and "pre-screened no less then 3 times, including the day before I was to attend the focus group. After realizing this wasn't just a "reminder" call, but yet another screening, answered the questions quickly and curtly (*note that the questions had to do with my EXACT buying patterns over a two year period!), at which point I was told that my answers were not exactly consistent to previous answers (you mean the other 2 times I was prescreened and i was called or from my original e-mail???? geez, imagine that!) and I may no longer be eligible. At that point I was DONE.
I was called by the coordinator hours before the focus group and told that I was not eligible for this group.
The constant calls were intrusive and time consuming. They should not have been. Pre-screening, is just that. You don't call a participant and cancel hours prior. Follow up e-mails need to be consistent in time, place and instructions. Fieldworks' were not. I would call this unprofessional especially when you are relying on the "public" to pay your bills.
If you have interest in focus group, surveys or studies their are plenty of great companies in the bay area that do this. Don't bother using or participating with these guys. read more