watchLAB

I signed up for watch labs. Immediately was emailed studies on a regular basis. After filling out lots of surveys, I got a call. I missed it but called back 30 minutes later. No answer. Called again, no answer. Finally get someone who answers who takes a message for me and says they will call me back in 20 minutes. No call back. I called 7 more times with no answer before I gave up. How do they ever get people for studies if they don’t answer their phone. Definitely won’t be wasting my time anymore.

I have always had a positive experience when dealing with WatchLAB, whether it be on the phone or participating in a study. Every focus group I have participated in at the Chicago location has been well run, informative, interesting and fun. I did take part in a study off site which was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed the moderators. They pay what is promised and immediately after the study. Very much worth your time and effort.

My experience with Watchlab has not been so fantastical. They flood your inbox with surveys from survey monkey, you fill them out (and are prompted to forward them to all your friends) and then maybe you get called back by someone from Watchlabs.
Once you’re called back, you get asked the same questions on the survey you originally filled out by the Watchlabs intern. Then someone else decides if you’re the right fit for the survey. Once you’ve been vetted you will sometimes be chosen. Once chosen you then need to figure out availability and transportation to whatever site they’re holding the actual focus group at.
The pay is usually good when you can get it. I’ve filled out what seems like 100s of surveys but only got paid for maybe 4 or 5 of them before I started deleting them from my inbox. The advertising is not the reality with Watchlabs, or at least it wasn’t for me.

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The breakdown:
Signing up for studies: Online then a phone screen to see if you qualify
Length of studies v. $$: Awesome at least $ 75/​hr
Parking: Not reimbursed and very pricey in the area
Public Transport: Abundant — Red Line to Chicago/​Grand, State St. busses
Refreshments: Pop & water