PRIZES TIME: Insight Annual Round-up 2013: Join our panel, let us know what you’ve enjoyed this year or what you’d like us to do next year - chances to win! NOW CLOSED

[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 events, 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 the following to give away....

~ A George Foreman entertaining 10 portion grill & griddle worth £69.99

~ £100 to spend on Method products for a shiny and squeaky clean-up in your home

~ Four sharing packs of Magnum chocolates worth £24 each.

All details are here: www.mumsnet.com/surveys/insight-annual-roundup-2013

In 2013 we have given away over £38,000 worth of prizes in the form of vouchers, books, beauty products, hampers and technology.

You have tested over £75,000 worth of products - including thoroughly testing the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, busting bugs with Lyclear and getting 'touched-up' clean with Mr Muscle!
We've gone all creative with food and leftovers with some amazing creations for Cadbury Pebbles, cooked once/ eaten twice with Colman's and even tried out pans for Tesco and Fissler

We've given hundreds of you a sneak preview of top kids movies: Cloudy2 and Despicable Me 2

On cars - MNers have been busy trying out the Toyota Verso, Toyota Auris hybrid and Toyota RAV4 - check out the videos here

And you've been sharing tips, experiences and comments on sponsored threads on everything from garden make-overs for B&Q, summer feet prep for Clarks, gluten free baking with Mrs Crimble to hot drinks for Tassimo

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, as well as often giving them the heads up about the latest things and chances to win on site. 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!)
~ Join the panel

Lastly - it's with much sadness that we report KatieBMumsnet is sadly off to pastures new at the end of the year .

Thanks as ever for your time and feedback - all very much welcome

AnnMumsnet, TheOtherHelenMumsnet, KatieBMumsnet (sob), AngelieMumsnet and MichelleMumsnet
x

[Sunny2013]

Thank you for all your product testing requests , survey requests , feedback , advice and more .... It brightens up the day reading all the various threads , and giving our thoughts and advise to these various posts.... I have enjoyed using my brain, offering my thoughts rather than just changing nappies and baby chatting xxx

What would I like to product test for you in 2014 :-) .. now that is an easy one ....

1. I would love to test ...lilos in the Maldives for as long as possible.
   
2. Suntan lotions anywhere that takes longer than 12 hours on a plane :-)
   
3. How children cope on a flight down under, or anywhere super long haul.
   
4. For this techno junkie mad family , anything electronical ...ipads, phones, laptops, tv's ....
   
5. Any new kitchen gadget that we never knew we needed till you ask us to test it ...
   
6. A job with Mumsnet that I can do working from home ....
   
7. Hoover testing.
   
8. anything that will make male teenagers clean and keep their rooms clean and put their dirty clothes into the basket rather than on the floor
   
   Good Luck KatieB , in your new job , you will be missed xx

[clubnail]

Some more ethical products. I don't buy cheese or dairy chocolate on ethical grounds.
More toiletries from ethical companies. I think you should be encouraging these instead of the ones that test on animals.

[QODRestYeMerryGentlemen]

I've enjoyed nosing round and answering surveys, product tested a few things and currently sipping my costa caramel latte from my tassimo I tested

However, I've never won anything and I'm usually lucky so I demand a recount ;)

Bye bye Kate, you're crazy bonkers leaving

[PigeonStreet]

Goodbye and good luck Katie.

I have applied for most of the insight tests and so far only got chosen for one. ( I've still not got the secret handshake obviously)

The one I got chosen for was cloudy2 screening in Manchester. Myself and the dcs had a wonderful morning. Ds still talks about it and the magic tickets we got given.

I've enjoyed reading most of the product tests, especially the cars and household stuff. I would like to see more family tests and tests on toys for older children as well as wine obvs..

Here's to being involved in more tests next year

[mjmooseface]

Goodbye KatieBMumsnet and good luck with your next adventure!!!

I haven't been part of the Insight panel for too long, perhaps about 6 months? But I have loved it so far! I feel like I am part of this super (not-so-secret) club and it's all so exciting. I've been a part of the Mr Muscle Cleaner product test which was fun and I still use it now! And I've taken part in an Organix weaning group which was nice as, being a young first time mum, I don't really ever get to impart any of my 'wisdom' on new mums, 'cause they're usually older than me and don't want to listen to someone younger than them!!! So it was nice being slightly ahead of other mum's in the weaning journey to share what had worked for me and my son and give some advice :)

I like filling out the surveys and questionnaires and always take my time and answer them properly. It gives me a nice feeling knowing my participation in those surveys contributes to some 'ground breaking' research, or something! :P I always feel like my thoughts and opinions are valued and needed which is why I always complete the ones relevant to me.

I liked reading about the National Trust attractions as we are interested in places like that but haven't been yet. It was nice to see other people's experiences of their visit, and I look forward to visiting them with my family in the future!

I would love to see product tests for outdoor related things like, baby carriers, camping, tents, mountain buggy's... Or mystery visits to other family attractions, gyms, restaurants... Household items like vacuum cleaners, irons etc. And obviously anything food or chocolate related!!!

I think the insight panel is a wonderful idea in that it's a place where selected people can try new things, products, places etc and share their feedback for others to read and try for themselves. I hope it continues!

[SachaF]

I was very impressed with the Tesco school uniform range that I tried out, and have possibly converted :) My little girl just loves the detail on the shoulders of the white blouses.
I liked the smell of the method laundry liquid and the refillable bottle (although it can be a bit messy) and have converted to this brand, although I think my previous brand is owned by the same company anyway!
I didn't know about the gluten free test, that would have been great to take part in! Although possibly not as a lot of their stuff contains egg.....

I thought the turn around time for the B&Q and Tesco's tests were too short. Hence I didn't apply for the B&Q revamp tests (and my lounge still needs a makeover!). For Tesco's clothing I would have thought they would also want some long term feedback, eg after 4months of use my girls shoes still look lovely whereas my boy's will probably need replacing soon.

I would also like to see outdoorsy stuff to test next year, maybe a Bear Grylls explorer/adventure type pack, tarpaulin den building, wellies, sunglasses etc. or arts and crafts stuff- recently I've had craft sets with no bristles in the brush, or poor instructions that a child can't follow, so I think this is definately an area that needs more real life product tests!

[Santaspelvicfloor]

I've enjoyed the chocolate ones. It really depends what I'm planning to buy. But then again I also like testing stuff I haven't considered buying

Lyclear was useful and I would probably use it even though my review wasn't raving


Cleaning products, cooking and gadgets are my favoured

[firawla]

this year I enjoyed watching the videos about the b&q unloved rooms, and would have loved being picked for that one. my children really loved being picked for the cloudy 2 screening, and would love to see more cinema screenings coming through the insight panel next year.
i also found seeing peoples experiences with the cars quite useful and would like to see more of that next year.
the panel is great, thanks to all for running it and good luck in your new job to katieb

[scrappydappydoo]

I've loved being part of the panel - best thing was the Tassimo machine which we use everyday but even if I don't win things the surveys have been interesting.
More product tests as opposed to surveys and I agree about toys and activities for older children that would be great, more food would be fab - healthy stuff. Maybe instead of having one prize you could offer a one use discount code or something when you've completed a survey so more people are winners

[poopoopoo]

I have enjoyed answering surveys and giving my opinion on products, I particularly liked eating the chocolate! We missed out on the film but tested out a restaurant- which was sooo nice. I look forward to any opportunities next year. I would love to try out a car for on holiday! or try out a holiday.........
Thank you for the opportunity of taking part. Have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

[butterflymum]

Well, I'd just like to sincerely than Mumsnet Insight for not letting me on the 'chocolate testing' panel.

The call went out that they were desperate for more folks to join, including Northern Ireland based mumsnetters, and I, having had my arm twisted and feeling duty bound to stand up and be counted, responded, the thought of delicious chocolate was not foremost on my mind at all.

Alas, it was not to be, but this of course must have been down to the 'crystal ball' used at mumsnet towers, that let them see that chocolate testing would not have been good for my figure and that anyhow, I am already sweet enough as it is .

For this non-opportunity, I and my willpower applaud them.

[upthehammers]

i've been selected for one or two things (kelocote and TableTable meal) and loved being able to try out products/places I wouldn't usually have bothered with.

Would love to see more kitchen bits up for reviewing.

[Khaly]

I have yet to take part in a product test. I have tried for a few, was particularly interested in the Tassimo product test.

[madmumm]

I particularly liked the school uniform reviews, DS1 has just end started school this year and found it so helpful to read how other mums find the uniform as there is so much choice out there, and whether it really is worth spending more for better quality.
This year I have also enjoyed the car reviews from a family point of view rather than a purely driving point of view as car magazines often provide. Very useful when considering new cars and even DH was interested in reading them and he already knows lots about cars!

[gazzalw]

Oh I forgot the B&Q Unloved Room challenge - that was brilliant. DS and I got our 15 minutes of fame:-)!

What about something to do with crafting activities???? And yes to all manner of items aimed at older children!

[JimbosJetSet]

I have very much enjoyed being part of the panel and I am willing to test anything that is relevant to my family...

I have had a major issue with SurveyMonkey recently though, I have been unable to load the surveys on my iPhone (or even more frustratingly, I have been able to load the surveys but when I click on 'complete survey' at the end, it crashes then). So I have been unable to enter anything recently unless I've got access to a computer.

Is it just me with this problem??

[asuwere]

I've done a couple of tests which have been great - it's always nice to get something in the post that's free! I also like doing the surveys for products that haven't been released yet - makes it feel like my opinion will actually matter more.

there has been quite a big range of products this year so can't think of anything else in particular... Would be nice to try a new buggy :)

[MimsyBorogroves]

I've loved being part of the panel again this year - it gives me an opportunity to use my brain writing reviews!

As daft as it sounds, I really enjoyed the rapeseed oil challenge and the difference it's made to our use of oil. The cheese scones are still a regular feature of our menu.

I'd like to see more toys for school aged children, and more books - preferably in kindle format so that I could join in with the discussions.

[DeathByLaundry]

I liked trying out Cif and the wholegrain challenge. Nice to do things you can incorporate into everyday life. DH did the chocolate panel jammy bastard but mercifully shared the goodies with me at the end! I like the way your surveys are laid out and that comments are free and unfettered - some other panels I've been on make you endure long boring irrelevant questionnaires. On MN you can just tell it how it is!

I wasn't selected but I liked the B&Q challenge thread.

I'd like to see trials of food (less luxury and more everyday things as a pp already mentioned) and beauty stuff.

[BooBudolphMeowson]

I LOVE Method Lavender cleaning spray and our local Tescos has stopped selling it, I am bereft! I was pretty tempted to buy a box of 8 sprays on Amazon or something but I have no where to store them, and now I have half a spray left and I am reserving it and keeping it for precious things.

[majjsu]

I can't believe I joined a year ago. I hardly got chosen bar Mr Muscle and pressed oil but enjoyed taking part. Enjoyed reading a lot of the things tested.

I would like tests on waterproof coats/jackets for adults/children. Agree testing the best products of Value ranges would be good.

[auntielaraine]

New to this - not because I am a new Mum - far from it - a very old one, but migrated from Gransnet via a survey.
Looking forward to being chosen for an trial, survey, opinion - I'm always ready to take part. Happy 2014

[Willemdefoeismine]

Testing the rapeseed oil and currently the Flora have made me do more cooking :-)

The DCs loved the Speedo event although I was a lot less keen on getting into my bathers !

I would love to have been chosen for the coffee machine one but hey you win some, you lose some...

More: what about educational apps/websites etc...seeing as education is a major topic of conversation on Mumsnet?

As someone who has incredibly unruly hair I would like to be involved in trialing hair products or even a trip to the hairdressers for an expert cut and advice!

Possibly style makeovers for the family?

What about product trials aimed at teens in particular???? They are after all the Mumsnetters of tomorrow and sooner than the younger DCs who seem to get a lot of things to trial!

But thank you for the opportunities we have had - very enjoyable!

[sassolino]

I enjoy reading reviews, but haven't been chosen to review anything except the Red Cross app. Hopefully 2014 will be more inclusive for me.

As a foodie blogger, I'm always happy to discover new food products. So anything foodie-related would be a bonus.

Crafts, books, toys would be fab. Wing-walking, test-driving, celebs' biographies is a no-no for me.

Merry Christmas!