<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Boraxo:
So they are offering $100 to schlep through traffic to Mt. View during the middle of a workday? Is this some kind of joke?
The serious market researchers in SF usually conduct their focus groups at night, so as to get a sample of people who are gainfully employed.</font>
As a "serious market researcher," I can tell you: this ISN'T from a serious market researcher. The vibe I get is that this is from the design team, inviting people to their offices to do informal research. That's why it feels quick/dirty/informal and includes bad hours (it's during their working hours) and is an insufficient amount of money given the target.
"Serious" market research--in this case, formal focus groups--are generally conducted in the evening when the target market is available and most facilities are in easy-to-get-to locations.