NOW CLOSED: Insight Annual Round-up 2012: Join our panel or let us know what you’ve enjoyed this year and what you’d like us to do next year. FAB prizes up for grabs (again)

[AnnMumsnet]

The time has come for the insight team at MNHQ to do our annual round up of the year, to plead for those of you not yet on our panel to sign up and to thank you all for taking part in some amazing projects this year!

(In case you don't know insight covers surveys, product tests and sponsored threads on MN, as well as bloggers reviews, and reviewers recruitment)

Let us know what you think on this thread and you could win another prize!
We've got:

A Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 worth c£180 courtesy of the team at TalkTalk more details here

A whole years' supply of Aldi nappies from the folks at Aldi - worth c.£500

And thanks to the Royal Academy we have two x 4 adult tickets to their new exhibition showcasing Manet early next year. There are two prizes each of 4 tickets (if children under 12 they will go in free so the winner can invite another 2 adults) - worth £120. More info here

In 2012 we have given away over £25,000 worth of prizes in the form of vouchers, books, beauty products, hampers and technology.
You have tested nearly £70,000 worth of products - including having your DCs put My Little Pony, Chicco toys and Wonderbook Book of Spells to the test.

We've surely made (some of you) look younger or slimmer with product tests for Garnier UltraLift, Origins Plantscription and M&S shapewear.

We've helped feed the family by trying out the HomeCooker from Jamie and Philips, scoffing Kingsmill Fruit and Fibre bread and helped make dishes tasty by introducing Bisto Stock Melts.

We've got you talking about a range of topics - from baking for the Big Fair Bake, visiting National Trust properties with the family and cleaning with Ecover.


What have you enjoyed taking part in this year? Or appreciated reading about? What would you like us to product test next year?

Most of the product tests are on site but we also do a lot of projects with our lovely research panel. If you are not yet on our panel please see this link for more info or to sign up. You can select how often you get emailed and you can leave at any time if it?s not for you.

So to win one of the lovely prizes please do one of the following:
~ Post on this thread about what you've enjoyed doing insight-wise this year or what you've appreciated reading about
~ Post on the thread any suggestions for product tests etc you'd like to see next year (no promises but we can try!)
~ Post on the thread to say you have joined the panel

Thanks as ever for your time and feedback - all very much welcome
AnnMumsnet, TheOtherHelenMumsnet and KatieBMumsnet
x

[YulePutTatOnMyChristmasTree]

I enjoyed testing the aldi face moisturiser I don't think I was selected for any others this year but would love to have done one of the car tests.
More tests involving slightly older children would be good and maybe pet products too. I like reading all the reviews and doing the surveys although I never can think of anything to say in the 'please explain why' boxes!

[LittleLolly]

I joined the discussion about infant colic, which my DS is suffering with at the moment. I picked up a couple of tips to try and won a shopping voucher which was a lovely surprise!

I would like to try makeup/ toiletries, a shark steam cleaner, baby toys. To be honest, I will sign up to try anything!

[FrillyMilly]

This year I've tested the metanium, aldi toiletries, kingsmill bread, method washing liquid and had a dyson arrive this morning!!it would be good to get feedback from the companies. For example I have not bought the Kingsmill bread since the test due to lack of fruit so may change my mind if they came back to say we listened to what you said and added more fruit.

I think I would like to see cosmetics products available to test other than anti wrinkle creams. I know most of us are mums but we still like to look/smell nice and are not just trying to reverse the clock.

[MikeLitorisHasChristmasLights]

I'm already on the panel and have got to test some great stuff in the past.

I think more kitchen gadgets would be good and cars. Maybe an extended testdrive and get to keep the car at the end?

[fallingandlaughing]

I love doing the panel. It is nice getting a wee parcel in the post with something new to try or even a prize! The surveys and the challenges can be fun too.

[NowBringUsSomeFriggyPudding]

It's been great fun taking part in some if the priduct tests, especially when the family can get involved. We enjoyed the fruit bread taste test and the sunbites. I actually enjoyed the ecover wipes, which was a bonus as it made me clean the house all in aid of research. I've just tried the washing liquid too which was interesting.
I guess as a family we like the food tests! But I just enjoying receiving free products and giving my opinions! Also maybe new innovative products/concepts would be fun. I agree with one of the previous post regarding having more 'winners', ie splitting the prize a little. Just gives us a little more hope!

[ISawSantaKissingThePortlyPinUp]

I loved the origins serum trial, the dc's really enjoyed the My little pony trial :)

[aristocat]

I am already on the panel and love being a tester The highlight for this year was our National Trust video - it was sooooo much fun to do and my DCs had a brilliant time.

I enjoy reading all product tests and our views do definitely influence my purchasing decisions.

Thanks.

[SweetMingePie]

This is my second (I think) year as a tester/panelist and I love being on it. I've tried products I wouldn't usually buy or didn't know exist, some I've gone on to using just from the tests.

The food tests are always good.

I would like to see more product sets taking part up north, they always seem to be London based and feel I miss out by not being able to take part.

[SweetMingePie]

Oh, forgot to add, the excitement and anticipation when the deadline closes and waiting to see if my email box pings when the testers have been chosen is often the highlight of my day

[AnnMumsnet]

Just to be clear folks - you don't have to be on the panel for product testing - most recruitment is on site here - though there are some product tests, events and surveys which are solely recruited via the panel

Thanks so much for all the kind words so far and feedback - really interesting!

[SantasHugandRollintheSnow]

I've joined the panel. I think mumsnet reviews will always be the most honest out there

[SantasHugandRollintheSnow]

Ps I was on the mama mio product test which was lovely, their products are so nice.

[poachedeggs]

I've had three different toys of cleaning products to test and despite their brilliance my house is still a shit tip. So please can we test and review cleaners in 2013?

I've loved the reviews, especially lovely was the one where DS got to appraise some V-Tech adverts. They went down so well he asked Santa for one of the products. Fortunately I won an Amazon voucher in the prize draw! :)

I'm a member of a few panels and this is the best in terms of the products, the surveys (they make sense, aren't overlong or boring, and ask relevant questions) and the prizes!

:)

[TotallyEggFlipped]

I've tested the kingsmill bread, the method laundry liquid and the stock melts. I love giving my opinion (so it's nice to actually be asked for it.) I find the product tests and reviews are great for discovering products I might otherwise have missed. I'm not sure if I would have noticed the stock melts, but they're now something I buy regularly and I've told loads of people how good I think they are.
I'm happy to test anything, but whiskey, wine or chocolate would be particularly well received in my house.

[HilaryM]

I think I've only done the method laundry liquid this year*, but am happy pottering about filling in surveys and whatnot. I will try to sign up for more of the test-y threads next year I think.

*Method will be pleased, am now a convert!

[missorinoco]

Another Method convert here, and I am quite a cynic. I tested the bread - uninspired, the Method and Ecover.

I like product tests, I get to try something new and see what i think. I bought the Orange hair and body wash for kids recently having tested it - mine loved it and it will entice them into the shower when needed.

What would I like to test? - a Jamie Homecooker [enticing grin]. More food products. I wasn't selected for the stock pots but that sort of thing would appeal to me.

Also, last year you did tomato seeds, we loved those and I attempted togrow some again this year less successfully. More seeds would be good.

But mainly, thanks MN, I appreciate the opportunity to try these things.
Happy Xmas!

[maybeyoushouldrivesantassleigh]

I've tested M & S Shapewear - now a convert to thigh shaping shorts and Method washing liquid which was surprisingly good too.

I'd love to see kitchen gadgets tested (and be chosen to test them!) also maybe nut-free/allergen free foods if they exist

I'm thoroughly enjoying the opportunities to test goods and give feedback.

[kez1212]

I have tried a few things this year, aldi nappies (am converted), and aldi baby toiletries, method washing liquid (Converted), ecover wipes, primula pods and metanium. I also appeared in a bio oil promo on facebook, although that wasnt as good as I thought it would be! I really like the chance to try and review new things especially as I tend to look at peoples reviews before I try/buy something new, especially bigger items. I was rather gutted not to be trying out the Dyson over Christmas though, but nevermind.
I like trying out all different things but think more style/beauty products would be good, hair dye, cosmetics, deodorants. Also more activities/holidays for families with young children, 0-3yrs.
Thanks for the products, Merry Christmas!

[Elfontheshelfiswatchingyou]

I really enjoy the product testing and have been very lucky to have tested the Wonderbook, Book of Spells, Method, a2 milk and a My Little Pony Toy this year, as well as a few things last year.

I always try to give full, detailed feedback so the companies feel they are getting their money's worth and we get offered more stuff to test.
:)

Testing is enough but I would be chuffed to win one of the incentives, and the idea of splitting them is a very good one.

I'd love to test days out or weekends away with/without the kids.

[AmandinePoulain]

I am enjoying testing my shiny new Avent breastpump.

I would like to see more 'mystery shopper' type of tests - there have been many a few threads complaining about Mothercare for example - a panel of mumsnetters could tell them exactly where they are going wrong - we'd get a better shop out of it and they could increase their profits - it's a win win. Also, maybe more in local - local cafes or attractions could invite local mumsnetters to try their business and this could be linked to the MN Local site for the area?

[prettybird]

I thought I was on the panel but only seem to get emails re surveys rather than product testing.

Maybe I'm the wrong demographic (50+, one ds aged 12, living in Scotland) or do I just miss the requests for product testing?

[SuiGeneris]

I enjoyed testing the Chicco toys, especially because what we received is not something we would have bought for our DCs, but they loved it, at least in the beginning.
I also enjoyed the Method test and would like to see more tests of household items (e.g. kitchen stuff, cleaning stuff) and educational books/apps. More technology would also be very interesting...

[BustyDeLaGhetto]

I've been signed up about a year but haven't been selected for much. How the arse did I miss a HOOVER GIVEAWAY?

I tested the L'oreal cream, Method liquid and Aldi nappies and wipes. The nappies are the only thing I would buy again, although I'm trying to use more Eco-friendly products now.

I'd like some more cosmetic testing please, chiefly skincare, haircare and make-up, because I am narcissistic and shallow :)

[preety18]

I've recently joined and had the opportunity to try the method washing liquid. I love reading the feedback of product testing and hope I might join in more the future. Would like to test anything really which the family can use :-)