How are testers selected!

[florencebabyjo]

I think there are quite a few of us who were surprised that we weren't chosen for the F & F uniform test and the Pampers who needed 1000 testers. They wanted 100 testers and there didn't seem to be that many applied from the postings.
Could you explain how it works please, maybe they didn't use the 100 or 1000 in the end! Thanks, from one of several confused MNtrs x

We will reply - bear with us a bit

I'm another one who doesn't always post that I have applied. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.

Hello. We're sorry to hear that some of you are disappointed at not being selected for product tests.

We do do our best to make it all as fair as we can - and we do, whenever possible, check those who've applied to see if they post on the boards or have been registered with MN. It's not necessarily a requisite but it might tip the balance a bit when deciding whether to select one poster or another for the test.

Sometimes, though, we're just overwhelmed with volunteers: so being selected does come down to luck. Rest assured there's a lot which goes behind the scenes to ensure selected testers represent MN as far as possible.

Posting on the actual recruitment thread doesn't make any difference to your chances of being selected, by the way - although we do always appreciate it!

All I can say is please keep applying, adding comments to threads and joining in the activity (a summary of which is found here) - the more people who take part in things the more clients will want to use MN as a resource and the more opportunities we will have so it's a win win all round!

AnnMumsnet

I signed up for the uniform test & was successful. I didn't post on the thread.

Thanks for the reply MNHQ!
Good to know you don't have to post to say you've applied, I wasn't sure!

I apply, but rarely post.

There's a lot of MNers out there and lots apply for everything.

I was lucky to test the Dyson and bounced around for a week when we won that one. Still apply for everything relevant though got to be in it to win it

So, just to confirm, the comments we have to put in the application forms for the surveys are read by Mumsnet HQ, not Pampers or Tescos or whoever we are testing for?

Because I've been writing them to appeal to the companies and why I would be a good tester for their brand. A few years ago I was picked for quite a few tests but none recently. I namechange every few months so MNHQ wouldn't recognise me from my user name. If I start putting things like 'I'm a regular Mumsnetter and know all about the cube of poo and Pombears and the mumsnet scarf and stuff - please pick me!' would I be more successful in being picked as a tester?

Velvetstrider, the comments are read by both us and clients (sometimes anon). Don't worry though we do know who you are assuming you have kept the same email address. Best to put why you want to take part overall!

I applied for the pull-ups and received my free pack today. I'm afraid that I'm not a regular poster on here, but I do lurk quite often. I just don't have the time to keep up with the huge number of posts here, but I did chat more when my little one was having allergy issues.
Sorry if anyone feels that I've taken their 'prize' away from them, I only entered this test as it was the right time for my DS who has started to poo on the potty (when it suits him) but still had absolutely no idea what wee is!

NotDoris don't worry, nobody has a problem with lurkers or infrequent posters getting to try the products. I think people are referring to those who see the product test mentioned on another website, sign up specifically to get the freebie, then have no further interest in Mumsnet. They can't be good candidates for the companies requiring testers either, as they are unlikely to post feedback or reviews.

No one has a 'right' to a product test surely.... Up to the company to pick who they want if they are giving stuff away.... If they want to pick people new to the site thats their choice. Just down to good or bad luck at the end of the day. Either you're what they want or not.

Absolutely. But it's misrepresentative to then say "95% of munsnetters think..." Someone who signs up purely for product tests isn't a mumsnetter. If they're going to trade on the name then it's not on to pick people who followed a link from moneysupermarket.

Ah. So if I've always used the same MN handle (not changed) but have used 2 different email addresses interchangeably, according to what AnnMumsnet says does that mean I'm being penalised? I never get picked for anything either despite being a regular poster and at one point putting my name down for EVERYTHING. I've not done lately - was getting v disheartened

boymeetsworld - hmmmm tricky - its probably just bad luck but do keep applying and if you use more than one email/ username put them both on the form so we really know who you are!

So when is the next gin testing, Ann?

I used to get picked for nearly everything. Then I moved house and had to pull out of a test due to no Internet access for a month.

Not sure if I've been blacklisted for pulling out of a trial, or because my new address puts me in a different demographic, but I feel like the last kid left in the playground these days

gin...did someone say gin?! Ice Cold Diet Coke or a Magnum would be grand at the mo!!.....

nancerama - oh don't feel like that! All I can say is please just keep applying...all tests etc are oversubscribed but we do try to get a good spread of folks

Just out of interest Ann, how many people usually apply for each product test?

Say if an average test requires 100 Mumsnetters, would you normally get 150 applicants? 500? 1000? Half a million?

And has the number of applicants increased over the years? 3 or 4 years ago I seemed to get picked for at least 50% of tests I applied for, now I never get picked! My demographic hasn't changed, just wondered if the tests are more popular now?

There was a thread like this a couple of months ago that left me a little downhearted when I saw that some people seemed to get picked for ability everything - the lists of products some people had tested was immense. I've only ever had 2 and I'd assumed it was cus I didn't live in the right place or wasn't the right age that the companies wanted to hear from so I'd nearly been put off having applied for so many and only getting he little ones. But I'm a bit more heartened hearing you try and spread it round a bit.
I've got the pampers on my lo at the mo and about to post feedback.
Btw I'm not sure about calling people who don't post lots on MN lurkers - it's not like Facebook where people are just being nosey, I use MN lots for advice, support, product reviews but don't necessarily post tonnes. I do post when I've got something different to add to the discussion but not if someone has already said what I think. I don't think that makes me less of a mumsnetter than someone who posts every day, we just use the site differently.

*absolutely not ability. Sorry big thumbs, small phone

Velvet....let's just say not millions but certainly quite a few. Know I am being a bit cagey but we don't know who else is reading this do we??
I guess we have more folks applying for stuff each times but equally have more tests so lots of opportunities for testing! Our bit of MN is very busy with lots of chances to win/ take part every week.

Thanks maggietess.. Please do keep applying as, as I said, a lot of it is luck, and, as they say, you've got to be in it to win it!

I applied but post to say I had. I was lucky and did get accepted for the F&F one.

I only apply for tests that are relevant, ie, I wouldnt apply for nappy testing or toddler foods.

that should read *but didnt post to say I had

Is it pointless to apply for those of us who don't have children? I obvs wouldn't apply for things like pampers but things like food, etc where it doesn't specify that you must have children. Or is it pretty much always a prerequisite for the sponsors that they only want people with children to test?