StevenA
02-02-2008, 03:31 PM
Here's some information in case others got the same letter I did. I got a letter in the mail from a company called Television Preview, inviting me "to participate in a survey whose findings will directly influence what you see on television in the future". Included were four free tickets to a viewing event at a local hotel this Saturday night. The letter, and their website (http://www.televisionpreview.com) make it sound like you are being asked to evaluate potential new television shows. However, after dong a little digging around on the internet, I found out that in reality you are being asked to unknowingly evaluate the commercials embedded in the shows. The television shows are either rejected pilots or shows that were on so long ago and got such low ratings that you probably won't remember them.
According to what I've read, when you arrive you are handed 2 booklets filled with pictures of air fresheners, paper towels, toothpastes, and other household products. You pick your favorite products before you watch the shows, and then again after the shows. They tell you the questionnaires are so they can tailor the door prize to your preferences if you win it. In reality, they are evaluating whether any of the commercials changed your mind about your favorite products, but this is never mentioned to the participants.
The company behind this is a legitimate consumer research company called RSC the Quality Measurement Company, and there is a reason for their tactics. In order to get truly unbiased results the victims, I mean subjects, should be unaware that they are being tested. Still, it seems that the ethical thing to do would be at least to reveal the true purpose of the event to participants after it's over.
They are not trying to get any money or personal information from you, so it's not a scam in the typical sense. It's probably harmless, but it is deceptive. I haven't made a definite decision but I'll probably pass up the offer.
According to what I've read, when you arrive you are handed 2 booklets filled with pictures of air fresheners, paper towels, toothpastes, and other household products. You pick your favorite products before you watch the shows, and then again after the shows. They tell you the questionnaires are so they can tailor the door prize to your preferences if you win it. In reality, they are evaluating whether any of the commercials changed your mind about your favorite products, but this is never mentioned to the participants.
The company behind this is a legitimate consumer research company called RSC the Quality Measurement Company, and there is a reason for their tactics. In order to get truly unbiased results the victims, I mean subjects, should be unaware that they are being tested. Still, it seems that the ethical thing to do would be at least to reveal the true purpose of the event to participants after it's over.
They are not trying to get any money or personal information from you, so it's not a scam in the typical sense. It's probably harmless, but it is deceptive. I haven't made a definite decision but I'll probably pass up the offer.