Insight Annual Round-up thread 2016: chances to win NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

The time has come round yet again for the Insight team at MNHQ to host 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!

We have had lots of staff changes in the team this year and sadly RebeccaEMumsnet is leaving us at Christmas to go back up north - we wish her the best - she’s a .

Read on for the chance to win...
~ A Just for Tots weekend break at Butlins in Minehead in May - this would be for a family in a newly refurbished Seaside Apartment with premium dining (worth more than £800) or
~ A £50 giftcard to spend at M&S or
~ A £50 giftcard to spend in Matalan or
~ A REN skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Luxury set worth £49

In 2016, we have given away over £50,000 in prizes - mainly in the form of vouchers in exchange for sharing feedback, completing a short survey or for simply sharing a tip on a thread .

Our faves this year have been giving MNers and their families money to spend in PizzaExpress on their new menu, sending them to the Slumberland factory (and then hearing how their new mattresses helped make bedtime bliss), having a Wizarding Time with a massive MN group at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Watford and being one of the first to try and hear loads about new Coca-Cola Zero Sugar at Coke HQ. We LOVED your imaginary play tales for MegaBloks and we were thrilled when our baby names survey made the headlines.

For a chance to win one of the prizes, please do one of the below

a) Share on this thread what you have enjoyed taking part in this year, or appreciated reading about OR
b) Tell us on this thread what you’d like to product test next year OR
c) Join the panel * - where you'll have the opportunity to share your views with MNHQ on a variety of topics and with the companies we work with and chances to win vouchers OR
d) Follow us or retweet one of our tweets over on our new-for-this-year twitter page @MumsnetInsight *

• NB if you do c or d post on this thread to let us know you’ve done it to be entered into the draws!

Most of the product tests, surveys etc are on site but we also do a lot of projects with our lovely insight 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 do sign up now. You can select how often you get emailed and you can leave at any time if it’s not for you.

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

Happy Christmas!
AnnMumsnet, PoppyMumsnet, EmmaMumsnet, JustineBMumsnet (not that one), and RebeccaEMumsnet.

Terms and conditions apply

I LOVE the MN panel! This year I've been lucky enough to try the Valspar paint, to go to Harry Potter World, amongst other things. My DD has not stopped talking about the latter - it really was incredible, and we were treated so well and she felt so special! And I love the Valspar paint too - and I have recommended it to others and in fact bought some more for a different room. It really is durable and goes on so easily! I do also like the feedback threads - both for things that I've trialled, and things that others have.

One thing, I'd love it if we could revisit feedback, particularly of big ticket items, some months on. Eg I could talk about my beloved paint, but I'd love to have a further review of this like the fridge and the washing machines after a few more months of use.

Things I'd love to try? Robot hoovers! Or instant pots, I read about them a lot on here. Or window vacs, food processors (and we could share top tips?) . And mascara.

Oh, and socks and pants - which ones are really comfy and wash well.

would love to test some children's shoes as my boys seem to get through them quickly!
I enjou being part of the panel and reviewing products when selected

I would love to product test more restaurants or food items (especially chocolate)- it would definitely be an exciting treat, with lots of opinions and feedback! :D

I would love to test a bed/mattress. I have a really bad back and sciatica and am yet to find a mattress that doesn't leave me in pain in the mornings.
I have also already joined the panel.

I have watched people get picked for fabulous product tests with wonder and envy (washing machines, for example). However, I haven't had to buy dog food for nearly 6 months after being selected to take part in 2 different Pedigree trials.

MNHQ, you do well to bag the tests and prizes that you do. If you want someone to test a car, holiday or gin, I'm your girl!

I would love to do a product test , I've applied for th mother care cot one and I am hopeful . Due my first in Feb so I can see myself using this site more and more and would love to try out new products that I necessarily couldn't afford or would be an extra luxury to have as I will be a single parent

My best test by far this year was the Harry Potter studio tour. I didn't tell the children until I picked them up early from school and they were like bottles of pop for the entire journey! We still talk about it now, months later.

We've been on and on about how amazing it was for so long that my MIL and SIL are planning a trip there next spring to see for themselves.

But we've also enjoyed testing other bits, like Coke Zero, and the Santa's Magic Key children's book. I wish I'd been picked for that washing machine with the hatch to chuck extra bits in though!

Oh, and for those who want to product test a car, beware - I tested the SEAT Alhambra last year, and ended up buying one this year, most expensive product test ever

It is an amazing car though, and wasn't even on our short list before the test!

Hi 👋🏻
I've just joined MN (DD 16/5/17) and have found lots of comfort and support already from threads about older mums, 1st time mums and common (and less common) pregnancy issues.
I've also shed a few tears at the bravery of some of my fellow MNers and their stories of DV shared over the festive period.


I've joined the panel in the hope I get to test and comment on some interesting issues/products.


I'd love to test run anything new-born related (automatic rocker chairs, cost, prams, car seats). I'd also love to try out any household tech that will make life with a new baby more manageable - a bottle warmer, robot hoover or similar time savers. And given our little old mini is on it's last legs and we have a pressing need for something safe and compact but big enough for a baby seat, lean etc if there are car tests going count me in. Please!!!


Plus edibles, vouchers and anything cat related ;) 🐱


Thanks to the MN team for everything you do and hope you've been able to have a bit of downtime over Christmas 🎄.


X



A robot vacuum cleaner - I detest hoovering and find hoovers too heavy or don't pick up properly or are too much faff to take out a cupboard and plug in then put away etc. It's not something you can try out before you buy and I've never bought one I liked yet. A robot one would be perfect for me - I think!

I've been really lucky over the last year or two and have been a product tester for Aldi nappies, mini milk ice creams, and a child tablet which felt very special.

I also took part in a live web chat about an Arla milk product and it's advertising. Made me smile when I later saw the adverts we were previewing 'go live'.

I've been in the insight panel for a while and enjoy completing the surveys; always easy to understand and takes hardly any time at all to do.

I would like to see in the future product tests for:
Some sort of tracking device/watch/wristband/SOS device for kids when out and about;
Any potty training system / product;
A Fitbit type of product
Cat litter / flea treatment
Menstrual cups - definitely
Naice ham
Gin - preferably Sipsmiths
Montblanc writing instruments
Mulberry double zipped Bayswater handbag
(This is turning into a fantasy wish list... oops!)

Thanks Mumsnet for all the opportunities to be involved in these tests and discussions.

Household gadgets and food - always my favourite product tests!

I have been lucky this year and have tested 2 books for me and 2 books for my son (he loved the Tom Gates and I enjoyed the Forgetting time), we tested the Kinder storymakers (which he still participates in) and we tested Aunt bessies roast potatoes and Matalan school trousers.
I would love to product test chocolate!

I really enjoyed the lidl threads in the summer, I won some vouchers for lidl and my opinion of the shop has changed since reading other people's comments in those threads and spending my vouchers.

This year I tested the visqueen bin bags. In fact, they've lasted me all year as I only use one a week so that's been great!

I generally apply to do most of the product tests, providing I fit the criteria but I can't remember being successful for any others this year.

I will also do most of the surveys and the highlight this year was winning a £300 John Lewis voucher for the insurance one. It enabled me to buy a new phone so I really appreciate that. I'd recommend the insight panel to everyone.

Oh yes, just seen mention of Matalan trousers - I did that one too.

As a family we loved the Harry potter tour evening, without MN there's no way we could have afforded to take all of us.

So again thank you for that.

I also had the Coke zero new recipe to test, DH didn't like it, I didn't mind it!

Completely selfishly I'd love to test a smaller car , I'm getting to the point that a people carrier is possibly too big, now the kids are older?
Before taking the plunge. And finding out I should have kept the people carrier

Also I'd love to try a lumia IPL thingy, there's such a range of reviews from being totally crap to brilliant that I can't risk the cash. shes says rubbing her stubble...

We were lucky enough to test a tablet and we also had the chance to test the Pizza Express kids menu - lovely treats and much appreciated!

Would love to test more household things but also things that would be a bit of a treat like days out or restaurant vouchers or maybe even a holiday ;)

We love product tests and this year we got deliveroo for a date night!
This was a real treat.

I would like to test more small household things - such as spiralizers, blenders, juicers etc. These can all easily be fads or successes but I am reluctant to spend out on them to find out.

I'd love to test water wipes or csp/mama cloth.

I'd like to test any products / activities to make life easier for my son with SEN - eg sensory products or autism / disability friendly days out.

I would love to product test exercise or fitness products.

I loved testing the pedigree food with my older dog, she eats better than she ever has done now.

I would love to keep testing toddler products, as my little boy grows, and our new baby arrives in April :)

Cadbury's panel has been good, though I have wondered whether I have accidentally forgotten to engage with something as everything's gone quiet! A way to check my insight panel status would be good?