I have done of a few of the volunteer studied and was paid (one was about food, another about cell phone games, and one about smoking). They e-mail you, call you and arrange the date and time. They validated my parking (they do this for all the participants). The waiting room is comfortable and has snacks, the receptionist is polite. The study usually takes about an hour or so, and then the receptionist gives you your payment. I think what they are looking for are things like your body language, your physical reaction, how long you hesitant or how quick you are to answer. They pick up on details an online survey does not get. I cannot find any faults with this company. read more

Do you like sharing your opinions? Do you like making money for sharing your opinions?? I wish I had discovered plaza research sooner! I honestly have no idea how I was originally contacted by them, but I had to turn down the research study due to a conflict on the day. However, after finding out about them, I filled out my info to be added to their database for email opportunities. Since then, I have done 3 individual interviews and one focus group and earned over $400 for my time. Some of the studies are at the sites of the client, but most will be at Plaza Research's location in UTC - which is very conveniently near my work :D The process is: You apply for a study of interest and fill out the questionnaire. If you pass initial screening, you will receive a follow-up call with additional questions. I have added their number to my cell so I know when they are calling me. Then, if you are a fit they will offer you days and times for the study. These do require some flexibility in schedule if you are a weekday worker. I am usually able to pick a time to go straight from work in route home, or a long lunch. They are usually between 60-90 mins. I havent had the opportunity yet but they also do shop-alongs! I find it really fun. As an extrovert who loves sharing my opinions anyway, its a great way to earn some extra cash. They will typically provide you with a check made out to "cash" or prepaid gift cards (had that one time). Reimburse parking in their underground lot as well. Follow Plaza Research on facebook to get the heads up about even more opportunities than the digest emails. read more

Make sure that you arrive early at least 30 minutes so if you get lost or go the wrong way in the driveway that you don't have to make your way around the various traffic lights especially during high traffic hours or you'll have to wait for the dumb traffic lights for like five minutes each. You can only park in the upper lot during the off hours like after 6:00 PM or on the weekends because they are all reserved, otherwise you can park downstairs in the parking garage and they do validate parking. They should tell you prior to your arrival that you'll have to park in the downstairs garage or on the street (good luck with that!) or in the upper lot if you come after normal work hours. I do like the fact that you get paid for your opinions. I just wish that they let you come more than every six months. They usually have drinks and snacks like Goldfish or Chex mix to tide you over until you can run over to the UTC mall or into LaJolla. There's tons of places to eat there. read more

This place is run by a bunch of incompetents. I have had multiple discrepancies working with this organization. They tell subjects to arrive 15 minutes early. They should tell them plan on 30 minutes, the parking here is a nightmare. If you miss the driveway during high traffic, DON'T MAKE A U-TURN whatever you do, instead go right, right again, and right again so that you can enter on Executive Drive. Those stoplights on Genesee can take over 5 minutes each. On the most recent instance, I spoke with the group organizer 10 minutes before the meeting and said "I am right outside and I can't enter the one way driveway and I'm looping around so I can get to the upper lot." (where I had parked at previous studies). When I arrived in the upper lot, I found that all of the spots were reserved and had to go back out to Genesee Ave for those nightmare stoplights. WHAT REALLY UPSET me is that the lady should have told me that I could not park in the "upper lot", that way I would not of missed the driveway to the underground lot and been forced to wait forever the stop lights. After arriving 4 minutes late they would not accept me to the study. I drove from Otay Mesa and am tempted to bill them for mileage after this bad experience. I only give them more than 1 star because of the simple fact that they're using people who need the money. Unfortunately, after today, along with some previous mis-bookings and missing little things like the last 3 letters in my name when they are copying it from their own records, I'm convinced that none of these people really care about the people they are working with. Are all of their employees interns, uneducated, or just plain inconsiderate? read more

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Always quick, convenient and def worth the 1-2 hours the typical group takes. I have been doing these for 4 years now and take every opportunity I can! If you have some free time and would like to make a little extra cash there isn't a better place than this! read more

Great place to help out with studies for the medical field. People there are so nice and friendly

Our "go to" place for research in San Diego. Sasha and her team do a great job of getting us the participants we need for our studies. The only reason they don't get 5-stars is that the facility itself is a bit dated, but that is not something the local team can do anything about. When it comes to marketing research in San Diego, the team at Plaza is our first call! read more

I was lucky enough to have been selected for a research study group on chocolate with Plaza Research...poor me, right? Psssh. Although the study group was mainly about their marketing/packaging strategy we did get some free samples to take home. The time didn't run over and we received our checks as we walked out. I have Plaza Research programmed in my phone so I immediately pick up the phone and cross my fingers when I see them pop up on my caller ID. The study groups never pay poorly and who couldn't use a few extra bucks for their time? read more

Really can't sing the praises of this place enough. Sasha and her team are incredibly capable, helpful, and thorough and they've made all of our research projects (whether big or small, rushed well-planned) run smoothly and efficiently. Yes, there's been the odd case of participants not showing... but that's the nature of this line of research. Additionally, our show rates here have been higher than at many other focus groups centers we've used in CA and on the east coast. The final icing on the cake is the location. With UCSD and office parks in striking distance from the center, we've never had trouble recruiting participants for daytime or evening studies. read more

I have been lucky enough to qualify for a few studies/ focus groups. I participated both onsite at Genesee ace. and at a specific location. The process was clear and specific. It felt great to have my opinions count for something. Employees were very friendly. Would recommend putting your name in the database. read more

Getting paid to give my opinion, ya hear that Yelp? I was skeptical about this at first. But it is real and you really do get paid to test products and give your opinion on marketing strategies! First, call and go through the intake process, basically you and your household demographics. They put your info into a database. Occasionally you'll get calls asking if you're interested in a study and available on a particular day. If so, you go through a preliminary screening to determine if you fit the criteria they are looking for. You'll get a gist of what the study is about, but maybe not what the exact criteria is to keep it randomized. They also send emails weekly of different studies they are recruiting for, some have online surveys you can do to see if you match. They have multiple offices in different states. So you may be eligible for studies from another office that can take place remotely (online, by phone). They tell you upfront what it pays ($30-$300) and what it is about. The higher paying ones usually entail going to your house, a researcher following you on a shopping trip or multiple meetings with homework involved. It doesn't pay to be selective about which ones you apply for because you don't know what they are looking for. You may miss out on $50 and not even selected for $200. In office studies you show up, eat some snacks and proceed to the focus room. Depending on the study, there may be people behind a mirrored wall watching or it may be recorded audio or video. The moderator will tell you. Then the study begins. I've done everything from viewing raw commercials to print ads, compared packaging and texture of dog food, and took home samples of soap to test. Remember the grapefruit scented dish detergent? I voted for that! Even the Rainbow Tribe have done focus groups to give their opinion on Disney shows and toys - $150 for a 2 hour group answering questions about cartoon characters! Some people have said you can only do one study every 6 months. That is not true. It depends on the client. Some don't care if you've done a study recently, some do. Anyways, as soon as you complete the study you receive a check made out to "cash". There is no wait time whatsoeer, but guard the check with your life. Anyone can cash it and they won't replace it. Like the other Yelper said, if you are a minute late they won't wait. Be there or be square! read more

This company is dishonest, deceptive, and a fraud. They lie to participants, waste people's times, and give false dishonest testimony!! DO NOT GO HERE OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THE FOCUS GROUPS! The research they conduct and how they treat participants is ridiculous and incompetent!!! read more

Went in today for a printer study and it was as easy as pie. I work 10 min from the place and am very familiar with the area so such for the other who got lost! Made $125 in 15 minutes. Was asked to come at 6 but they let me get started early. Sweet... too bad I spent the money already in anticipation of getting it. Not sweet... Have a good experience overall and hope to be called back often! read more