I received a survey in the mail about my new Fit. Since they had a URL, I completed it online. If you get one of these, be aware that it took me at least half an hour to finish it. There are lots of questions, including how much you paid, down payment, trade-in, and interest rate, so be prepared.

The printed version is nine pages long.

 

Why on earth would they ask anyone about down payment, trade-in or interest rates since everyone would be different anyway ? Kind of personal don't you think ?

Found this....

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archive...ritz-research/

 

I hope you got paid for that!

 

I might win $$$!

 

I remember once that I received a rather long survey in the mail, that I could not explain why I was asked to fill it out. I started looking at the questions, which were all over the board, and noticed several that inquired about smoking. Others touched on the subject of chronic illness. A simple question about how you feel about auto makers not providing ashtrays and cigarette lighters, reveals more than you think.

After some research (which was difficult due to a lack of information on who originated the survey), I discovered it was an insurance company behind the whole thing. I determined then that the questions regarding health issues and smoking, were an attempt to classify my eligibility for life insurance and what rate I would pay.

I tend to avoid providing any information to anyone, that I question the need for. For instance, why does your dentist need your social security number? I don't finance dental costs, and my dental insurance has it's own unique identifier, so I refuse to give that information as a matter of principle.

If Home depot, and Target can't safeguard peoples personal information from hackers, what makes you think your local dentist can?

People are so accustomed to answering any question they are asked, the amount of information given up is astronomical. All that information is stored somewhere in a consumer database, which is added to and expanded on, your entire life.

It is nothing short of an invasion of your privacy.

 

I love the attitude projected by surveys that the people taking the survey should be impressed that their opinion is being sought. Whenever someone approaches me with a survey the first thing I ask is "How much are you paying?" That very quickly establishes how much my opinion is worth to them!

Most surveys have relevant questions buried in a mass of irrelevant questions, as the smoking survey above represents.

 

When I get a E-Mail I don't know from who, I just delete it.


When I get a telephone call and I don't know the person I just hang up.


When I'm asked to take a survey (except from Honda) I refuse.


That's what I do.

 

I own a business that services the market research industry. Maritz is a credible research facility, and by filling out the survey you may have qualified to participate in a focus group on the subject. They will pay very decent money if you do get requested. So, I suggest you keep an open mind.

 

Why would any rational, intelligent person fill out an unknown survey. My phone rings and I do not recognize the number I do not answer, if it is important they will leave a message. Open an email from an unknown source, you gotta be s&*^ing me?

Paranoid, no common sense. JIm

 

Yeah most calls I get on my cell phone are telemarketers so if it's important they will leave a voicemail otherwise I ignore them.

 

"rational, intelligent person"

You're assuming a lot. By the way, there are two "^" in "s&*^ing."

 

No I was insinuating something.

"s&*^ing." Spell check did not catch that? JIm

 

Well, considering how much money these companies make collecting and reselling information, they had better pay well for focus groups. Myself, I don't care to share information with marketing groups. I also teach my kids to avoid providing much to strangers. I understand they have a job to do, and I don't criticize anyone for trying to make a living. Just not on my personal information.

 

I haven't given my banking info or social security number to any Nigerian lawyers, and I haven't wired money to phoney relatives who are stuck in foreign prisons.

This was a survey sent on behalf of Honda concerning the purchase of the Fit. I knew that Maritz, like J. D. Power, was a legitimate survey organization. It didn't ask for any info that is too personal or too dangerous to give. Although we all like our privacy, we really don't have any. There isn't any bit of "private" information that isn't stored electronically somewhere. If I can tell Honda what I like and dislike about their products, it might mean that future Hondas will be more to my liking. No harm done.

 

I blew through that thing in 5 mins.

Hope I win!

 

Having worked for one of the largest database marketing firms in the world let me just say....

They really know all about you right now anyways. These surveys just help paint a better/clearer picture.

 

That's because you're a racer.

 

On a related note, my sister had a job in graduate school where she had to call people from a list (can't remember where they got the list..?) and ask them about their bowel movements ;-P

I enjoyed filling out the Honda survey, personally. It gives me the chance to let them know short people don't like being hit in the head with the sun visor....

 

I got one from Maritz but it was almost entirely about the Ford Focus, Chevy Sonic, Hyundai Accent, and Mitsubishi I-Miev as they compared to the Fit. They must have been identified as the primary competitors.

 

Interesting. I guess the questionnaire evolves over time. I know someone who lives in Dunedin, but I can't recall who it is. There are two possibilities.