They called me, confirmed if I got a new E60 and wanted to see if I'd be willing to participate in their market research. Apparently its 2 hours at a Holiday Inn and they will pay $250 at the end. It seems like they will be gauging interest on future automotive technologies and products (NAV, iDrive, etc).

Has anyone else done this?

$250 for 2 hours talking about cars sounds awesome, but I hope its not a scam...

How did they know I got a E60? It sounded shady when they said cell phones and guests must be left outside. If I get kidnapped inside no one would know! But having it at a Holiday Inn must be legit, right?

 

I did a similar thing for Porsche before the Boxster was released. No photos, no pens or pencils or paper of any kind. The car was held together with chewing gum and duct tape, especially under the engine "access" lid.

 

It probably is not a scam. Just do it. I go to them all the time. I'm actually signed up with several Focus Group agencies that I've been going to for years because of all the products we use at work, or like us, new cars we buy, or household items, or electronics, etc...anything. Some are boring, some are great. If they ask you if you care about alternataive fuels and how much more you would pay for the technology, just say no...then you won't have to stay even longer... (Unless you are interested)... just something that happened at the last focus group I went to.

 

I just got contacted about a focus group for Porsche. It's pretty common marketing practice, and of course they don't want any cell phones, since most have cameras, and they don't want any pix of their prototypes getting out.

 

Nah its not a scam... I've done a few for MINI and got $200 at the end and yes you spend 2 hours or so there to discuss cars and what you like to change and stuff... Let me find the write up I did for one of the MINI research I've done.

here you go heres one of the more interesting ones I've been to and I made a write up and Gabe posted it on motoringfile.com

http://motoringfile.com/2005/03/07/inside_...sumer_research/

 

sounds cool, id love to volunteer for one of these things.

 

Please don't ever say the 5 is an E... that's an insult.

 

A couple years ago, I was invited to a NYC focus group on what turned out to be the reincarnation of the landmark 1970s Op-Ed ads for Mobil Oil. It was an entertaining evening (decent deli sandwiches and $250 cash); what I enjoyed most was listening to others' opinions. My suspicion of the true sponsor proved true a few months later when the new Mobil issue ads started appearing in the NYC Times, and other major dailies.

They had secured our names from policy-maker lists for energy, environment, business, media, etc. Yours was obviously provided by BMW. At least you won't be watched/filmed, as I am certain we were (the big mirrored wall is a dead giveaway) all located in a professional market research office, on lower Fifth Ave.

Go and enjoy yourself. I just wondered if I had to report the $250

Cheers,
Ray Hull

 

Nah, I typed in "E60" but I guess the subtitle was 2 characters too long so the "60" got cut off.

You thought I was talking about a MB? How dare you!