NOW CLOSED Sign up to the panel now and you could win a signed Nigella book or five Cadbury's Treasure Boxes

[AnnMumsnet]

Have a read of our thank you thread and you could win a signed copy of Kitchen by Nigella Lawson or 5 Cadbury's Treasure Boxes worth £50 in total......

Did you know that in the last year the Insight Team (Ann, NewGirlHelen and Carrie) have given away prizes for taking part in surveys, product tests, events, threads, focus groups etc, worth a staggering £25K? Loads of you have taken part in product tests - from the £1800 Samsung American-style fridge freezer to Walkers Sunbites (and many many things in between - so many we couldn't even begin to calculate the value of goods tested ). We are very grateful to everyone who applied to take part in a product test, took part and/or read the feedback. It's all about reviewing products on behalf of your community and sharing the love (hopefully!) with MN and with the company behind the product.

We've also asked you to complete a number of surveys - so thank you if you've taken the time to tell MNHQ or various clients what you think about a myriad of topics, from kids shoes to your experiences of miscarriage.

Many of these projects have been conducted on Mumsnet, but an increasing number of interesting market research projects are happening off site, via our research panel. If you are part of the panel, many and if you need to change any details we have on the database please email [email protected].

Now for the plea for help...we're always on the look out for new folks to join the panel - click here for more info or to sign up. Everyone who signs up using this link will be entered into a prize draw to win a signed copy of Kitchen by Nigella Lawson or five Cadbury's Treasure Boxes worth a total of £50

You can also enter the prize draws by adding your thoughts to this thread regarding...

a) suggested companies or products you'd like to see put to the MN test next year (no promises mind)
b) what you have enjoyed reading about, taking part in on MN (relating to product tests, surveys, discussions etc)
c) any suggestions for NewGirlHelenMumsnet's new nickname...she has been here a year now and is no longer NewGirl, but there is already HelenMumsnet so we are stumped.....(her surname starts with an R)

We'll do the draw at the end of January so you have plenty of time to have a think!

Coming up in 2012 alongside lots of new projects we are having a new page all about the market research we do, so watch out for that.

Merry Christmas to you all and best wishes for a Happy (and prize winning) New Year

Ann, NewGirlHelen and Carrie at MNHQ

Here's the link to sign up for the panel again

[AlmaWalkingInAWinterWonderland]

Hmm, MN test - mooncups? Fruit shoots? Actually, toys would be good, winter clothes, kitchen equipment.

I enjoyed the MN census, really liked the Bio Oil testing, and the testing of the Dettol No-Touch things. I was a bit disbelieving about both prior to testing and a convert afterwards.

[Seaholly]

Always happy to take part especially when the survey is relevent and generally the surveys aren't too long winded which helps, even though I have to be prompted with a reminder most times!

[northernmonkey]

My dc's also loved the sunbites test, so more family food ones would be great
I would alos like to see more kitchen appliances like the fridge test again (and please pretty please be selected this time)
Hows about a child friendly sofa
Oh and if you need someone to try out Johnny Depp for any reason, I would gladly product test him anyday

[doughnutty]

Food tests popular chez doughnutty!

Would love a changing bag/handbag test. Also, think my washing machine and dryer might be on their last legs, so anything like that would be useful.

Could Helen do a mash up name a la SuBo, SiCo??

[BehindLockNumberNine]

Not-so-new-girl-HelenMumsnet?

I have enjoyed doing the surveys, most were the right lenght and thus managable (and not coma inducing...)

Dh the children and I loved doing the Walkers Sunbites product test, and I particularly enjoyed the fact that they could be involved...
We also enjoyed the Dolmio tomato growing challenge, although mine did not grow too well....

I would be more than happy to take part in future product tests, cleaning products and beauty products would be good ones (as you can invite lots of people to take part as opposed to say white goods where the company would only send out say 5 products for 5 families to sample...

I shy away from any product tests whereby you have to video yourself or your family, we are not that sort of family...

A mobile phone / tablet style gadget test would be very much appreciated, as would bags - I am a woman of 40 years old and have still not found that holy grail that is 'the perfect bag'. They are either too big, too small, handles to short, across-the-body-strap too short etc.
Ditto purses.

[MarTURKEYSTEWart]

I would like to test beauty products, cleaning products and toys.

We loved being part of the panel, the surveys are never too long and we got to test some fantastic products - thank you

[Nevergarglebrandybutter]

I want more video diary reviews.
Especially if they are by me!
I had such a laugh making my ford video I'd be happy to do more video reviews. I think it might encourage more mnetters to hear the reviews too as we all know we're too nosey to ignore a video review to see what we all look like.

More hand dancing in the car I say.

[molepomandmistletoe]

YY to carpet cleaners and carpet stain removers, especially with adhd DS.
Paint
Pollyfillers
HOOVERS!

It's these things I go through the most because of DS alone and if anyone want me to try out a toy that they claim is tough or unbreakable then send it this way and I'll let you know how long it actually lasts during a meltdown!

[SantasSnowilocks]

i am more than happy to roadtest toys and see if they can be broken ds1 sees it as his personal challenge

suggestions would include: sofas, paint, drain unblockers, snack food, perfume, make up, beauty products, shopping bags, biscuits, white goods, nespresso type coffee machines, childrens and adults bikes.

My family had a great time being a Wii winner - we're on the video, which i love...

It's been really easy and fun being part of the Insight product testers.

My fave Helen Suggestions are HellsBells, HRHMumsnet, and HelensAGiver

[whomovedmychocolate]

Helenahandcart would be my suggestion

Dishwasher tablet/capsules. Painkillers (know that's tricky though). Also could we do service reviews rather than products? Much happier to go see whether Pizza Hut is really a lot worse than Pizza Express than heat up a frozen pizza.

Oh and I wuv you all and enjoyed all of it frankly. Even the bits I didn't (feeling benevolent).

[BehindLockNumberNine]

YY to service reviews, definately!! Customer service beyond crap in some places...
And yes too to dishwasher tabs, laundry detergent tabs etc.

I too have enjoyed it - bring it on for 2012

[ScorpionQueen]

I have been lucky enough to test a few things for MN, and always do the surveys. I also get a few free books but now I am a Kindle owner would love some kindle copies.

I would love to be a mystery customer for Mumsnet, testing customer service, family friendliness, food, drink etc.

Helenmumsnetthesecond?

[MrsShrekTheThird]

a) suggested companies or products you'd like to see put to the MN test next year (no promises mind)
anything whatsoever household and preferably edible . Children's clothing? Outdoor clothing, waterproofs, splash suits and the like? Dairy free / free from products? (that's only because I've got df kids and imho 'free from' must need better testers, most of it tastes cr@p!)

b) what you have enjoyed reading about, taking part in on MN (relating to product tests, surveys, discussions etc)
innocent was the most awesome. You only need to look at our fridge door to see just how awesome. Those magnets.... Did the first Pearson and enjoyed that too, plus a few surveys cos I'm opinionated Have found all the review results I've read to be useful, tbh.

c) any suggestions for NewGirlHelenMumsnet's new nickname...

why not just cut out the mums bit - so last year....Helensnet would be so much more, er, you

Do I have to re-register as a panel member or have you thrown away the key for those already in, no escape?

[StuckUpTheFarawayTree]

I'm not sure if my survey went or not. I completed it on my iPhone and got to the last question where my cursor jumped and the page changed. Is there any way to find out? Or should I try again?

[AnnMumsnet]

MrsShrek...a bit like Fiona you are forever trapped on the panel database - no need to rejoin - (though naturally should you want to leave please do let us know..!)

[LovesBloominChristmas]

I'd like you to put Clarks to the test, I know I'm not the only one who has has issues with their fitting.

[LovesBloominChristmas]

NewGirlHelen should become HelenMumsnet, and HelenMumsnet should become OldHelenMumsnet

[LovesBloominChristmas]

Or HelenMumsnetJunior and HelenMumsnetSenior?

[SantaIsAnAnagramOfSatan]

maybe supermarkets? i'm rather annoyed with my one doing some very dodgy scamming with pricing and so called 'offers'. re: something being clearly nearly twice the price it was a couple of months ago but now apparently being on special offer or at a new low price etc.

not sure how you'd compare them but it would be nice to have them garner our opinions on how they should label promotions - what we feel about messing about with prices and thinking we're idiots

no clue on the helen x 2 business. can't helen 2 just use her middle name or something? or maybe notsonewgirlhelen@mn

[sleepevader]

I love mystery shopping.

I think Asda should try and redeem their bad reputation by changing their accounting procedures and do some online grocery shopping mystery threads using mumsnetters from acrooss the country

[veryconfusedatthemoment]

hi, I have loved being on the panel - love giving my opinion! I would like longer for product tests - eg was very disappointed at not being able to do the Metro Bank testing. It was right up my street but the time was only a couple of days. As mentioned by pps would like to see feedback from companies.

Like the idea of more childrens products.

Sorry totally useless at funny nicknames!

[daisychicken]

I think I am still on the panel? I have enjoyed doing surveys and the matalan test. I think all sorts of things should be tested - a bit like the Which? tests - who better to trust but "ordinary" people?!

[northernmonkey]

I think your new name should be LadyHelenMumsnet

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Suggested products - I think we need to test and review far more chocolate. It would be hell, but we would do it for the greater good. Likewise puddings and cakes. Cameras is a good serious suggestion.

HelenTheSecondofMumsnet - for NewGirlHelen's nickname.

[HugosGoatee]

Thank you MN for making 2011, the year of my first pregnancy with horrible hyperemesis and complications and a difficult birth incalculably easier with the best support network I could wish for. Not massively relevant to thread but thought I'd share the love. More relevantly thank you for the amazeballs Samsung fridge which everyone has been gushing over since it made its appearance!

I'd like to sign up for the panel, will click on linky shortly. I'd second testing winter coats and services as well as products, also clothing ranges for little boys as I am already fed up with 'little terror' type stuff and the fact that everything has to be bloody blue because my baby happens to have a penis.