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Original poster

Mumsnetters being used as market research tools

9 replies

serena · 03/04/2002 23:20

I wonder if I'm being unfair, but sometimes I get the feeling that there are people who use Mumsnet as a way to do research on baby/lifestyle products. Tell me I'm just paranoid because I was accused of being a "Troll"

OP posts:

tigermoth · 04/04/2002 08:52

No Serena I do not think you are paranoid. Speaking as someone who works in advertising, I have spotted the odd question which, IMHO, looks rather loaded. I don't think it's the rule, though and I don't think it can be helped.

sis · 04/04/2002 10:42

not sure what you mean, serena, but I am guilty of asking about sofabeds. Having asked friends and family about buying a sofabed, I wasn't convinced that i had got the full picture, so, I asked for suggestions from mumsnetters. The info i got was very useful and I now have a great sofabed (funny how they always look smaller in the shop than when they arrive in my home!).

If that is the sort of lifestyle research you meant, then yes, I've done it, but for personal use and not for advertising/marketing purposes. I am sorry, if I shouldn't have used mumsnet in this way but it seemed silly not to ask the question and end up regretting the purchase of a fairly expensive piece of furniture.

tigermoth · 04/04/2002 13:29

sis, no worries! I could be wrong, but I don't think that is what serena meant. I think she was referring to someone at an advertising agency, marketing department etc joining mumsnet specifically to ask a product-related question -and the response to be used for work-related purposes.

Ems · 04/04/2002 13:44

Dont panic Sis, you used Mumsnet in the way it should be used!

susanmt · 04/04/2002 13:57

Sis I am always asking questions like this. I too though have noticed some loaded questions. I think they are few and far between though and we have to try to not be paranoid in case we put off people who are genuinely looking for help and advice.

emmagee · 04/04/2002 15:06

Having worked in research and marketing I doubt someone would use it this way as you really have to put together quite a complex 'sample' when you're doing market research to make it meaningful, and since we are all anonymous etc it would be fairly meaningless.

sis · 04/04/2002 15:32

thanks for the reassurances Ems and tigermoth.

bea · 04/04/2002 16:15

oh dear i know what you mean sis about feeling guilty about product advice etc!!!

can anyone give an example of a 'loaded' question... as i am completely naive about this sort of thing!!!

Rhiannon · 04/04/2002 19:16

How about the beer commercial and it's offer of a great £300 fortune! R

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