Just yesterday I received a call stating that I was selected to attend a survey. An appointment was fixed at 1:45pm today and I attended. The session was supposed to last for half an hour but stretched to about forty-five minutes! I was asked a lot of questions and when it finally ended I was given a token of $40.00. Not bad huh for less than an hour of drilling?
Some of you may be skeptical whether this is selling of time-share or spa services. Let me assure you there are also true blue company sincerely doing some survey for products to be launched soon. There may be other surveys done and if some of you were involved, do share with us what you went through and how you were compensated. I have also heard of some hospitals looking for ‘guinea pigs’ to try out some pills or supplements. Would you go if the compensation is good?
If you think that the survey is good and want to recommend a friend to benefit as well, do refer us. Dun know what Terence will think. Are we advertising here? Sorry I just do not know what category this post should come under!
Dan
Hi Dan,
The intention of your Post is clearly not advertising. It is an experience of yours, and can be classified under “Reflection”.
Terence Seah
Hi Dan,
You can find these type of lobang on this website:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kangtao/
They pays for the survey done (same like what you had experienced) but do note that I personally have NOT gone for any of these “works/surveys” and get paid …….. so, goner please beware!
Hi Danz,
I went for a survey on Priority Banking for one local bank. The survey is about giving ideas / suggestions as to what are the best logo / icon / image / name … that can project a prestige banking facilities. The criteria for this survey is that you have to be a company executive, own a company or must have an annual income of certain amount (can’t remember how much). I was selected for this survey and was paid $150 for 1 ½ hrs with Japanese Bento Set dinner provided. My son also went for another local bank survey on launching a new product. He was paid $80 for 45 minutes.
Not bad hor, in the past, I was the guinea pig for some skin care products like UV face powder, whitening cream, eye cream and currently I am the guinea pig for face toner lotion. The payment is very little but these skin care products are of very good quality and I get to use it free, no need to spend money buying. There are others SHC members who went thru this kind of survey too.
Ah Nee
Hi Ah Nee,
…..I was the guinea pig for some skin care products like UV face powder, whitening cream, eye cream and currently I am the guinea pig for face toner lotion.
Beware,with so many of these chemicals they are putting on your face,it can be harmful as well.You name it ,the pharmaceuticals have it,
ammonium triethanolamine, calcium mormorchacha, alkysulphates,erythylhydroxyethylcellulose,sodium methylparaben,concentrated sodium hydroxide,phosphoric acid,etc……
Hi Dan
Just sharing my views.
You are right. Some survey are genuine while some are not.
Some years back, I was made to sit thru a survey that supposed to last 1 hr but we ended up sitting there listening to them for more than 3 hrs! The worst part was they tried so hard to convince us to take up those time-sharing thingy which some of my friends was conned to sign up..haiz. At the end of the survey, they promised to give us a voucher, a so-called free 2 nights stay at a certain resort, but guess what ?? it was all a hoax becos there was never a free date for us to go at all. So, please be aware that there’s such a thing going on.
However, I do came across some genuine ones, like those you have mentioned. I was paid handsomely on most occassions ranging from $50 – $200 for some focus group discussions for about 2 hrs at most. There was once, I went for one survey and was paid $200 bucks, no need to sit in the survey that day becos they hv over surplus of invitees, just signed my name and go off..sounds easy aye? (this is my only lucky one) :)
And yes, I was like Ah Nee, one of the guinea pig for some skin care products. So far we have no regrets nor complains. We give our feedback at the end of the survey and was awarded a small token cum use of products. (Quite good if you have no skin reactions.)….. Suzhang
Last year I went for a survey by Marriot Hotel and went
tru an hour of ‘time-share’. I know this word sounds like a
rip-off to many given the current court cases against the
time-shared companies.
But Marriot one is genuine and they offer a hotel stay at
Ritz Carlton or Marriot Singapore for any Fri or Sat at$88.
In the end, becos some convention friend has an
important guest from oversea, we manage to sell off at $180. So they also honor transfer or letting a 3rd party
use the voucher.
They still have a booth at Suntec recently but the offer
has offer to $188 already.
Condition is you need to sign up as a couple (not necessarily)
as spouses, and have a credit card.
Anybody who has sign up recently pls le t me know if anything
has changed.
james
Hi Dan Huang,
” Got a lobang ,call abang!”
What a creative and catchy post!
V. Good. Keep it up! :)
Hi all
I received several missed calls from +91978850xxxx wondering which country this no belongs to?
Anyone knows please?
Thanks
joseph tan
Hi Joseph,
This number is from an Indian mobile phone. Unlikely, the call is from a callcentre operator, trying to sell you something.
Terence Seah
hi dan
i receive on a very regular basis (and still do) a list of clinical trials run by NUH inviting participants for oral medications relating to diabetes and cholesterol as i am a diabetic and also has high cholesterol; the payment is very attractive around $1500 to $2000 per trial of a couple of days including free stay at a hospital; but i have however never accepted any so far as i have a phobia of needles…
daniel ong
Steven @#4
No worry lah, my skin not sensitive. I have thick skin, all these chemicals you mentioned won’t have much impact on my face. Got a lobang, call Ah Nee…hehehe…..
Ah Nee
Thanks Terence for the clarification.
Ivan, the link was pretty interesting. Those of us who can do with some side income can contact the parties concerned.
Ah Nee,Suzhang and Steven, we do appreciate your sharing with us. No harm putting our skins on the line for some pocket monies.
Steven, those high sounding chemical name seems life threatening, where do you learn them from? I got the thought about the heading after attending the survey recently and felt that some of us could do with some earnings.
Hi James, Joseph, thanks for sharing, we hope that more would come forward to share their experiences.
Daniel, at what age did you start having phobia of needles? I have similar experiences with needles and blood. Twice I fainted at the sight of needle. On another occasion I heard of an accident nearby and wanted to see if I could help, instead I was carried back to a church nearby because I fainted at the sight of blood.
I am keen to know more of the lobang you mentioned. Right now I am participating in a clinical trial at NUH. I have to consume some zinc supplement to establish it effectiveness in helping those suffering from diabetes. I have to attend seven sessions, each time they will draw some blood and urine from me and I am paid $50 for each attendance!
Dan
Hi Dan,
….Steven, those high sounding chemical name seems life threatening, where do you learn them from?
Not to worry Dan,
It was taken from the label of Lactacyd ( L )with a( ph 3.5 )similar to our skin pH that I normally used as strongly recommended by my skin specialist from Parkway Parade because I had very sensitive skin.
I dare not even use the free soap provided by the hotels as some of them are harsh to my body and face and I will suffer from skin allergy; scratching like a monkey for days.
As a precaution,I feel safer to bring along my L whenever I travel overseas.
L contains a natural and mild cleansing ingredient extracted from milk. I believe the quantity of phosphoric acid and concentrated NAOH is very minute within FDA safety limits.
Hi Terence
#9
Many Thanks Terence
Cheers
joseph tan
Dan, I get similars calls everyday, usually from gals from the Mid-kingdom, speaking ever so sweetly.
I attended these presentations very selectively, not looking forward to any of their promises which were usually not kep but ratheer to talk turkey with these people, enjoyed myself as I asked them questions they had no answers to or would be too embarrassed to answer.
Once, I passed on an opportunity to try ssome beauty products to a fiend who likes adventure. She went, came back with some free products and tried them.
A week later, some hair growing on her face were gone but I saw a goatiee dangling from her jaw which she tried but couldnt hide. Some very tiny feathers replacing her eye-brows made her look gorgeous and cute.
I still have that number for nyone interesteed in a literal face-lift to try it out. Ai mai?
Hi Dan
i’ver done what Ah Nee #3, Suzhong#5, James #6 did and received the REAL $ rewards. as for Daniel #10 the drug companies normally will require the “guinea pigs” to pay several visits to a hospital over a period of 1-3 months and it includes 1 to 2 nights stay at a hospital. (but pay quite good ranging fr $600-$1500 per survey)
Am now a surveyor and need some “respondants” for various surveys/products/focus group discussion from time to time. now that i know there is a BIG LOBANG at SHC, when the need arise i’ll certainly put a post here!
Hi Ah Nee, I’m still called from time to time to be guinea pig of cosmetic products. wonder if it’s the same lab we’re talking about. if not, are you interested to be on the lab calling list?
Hi Frisna,
I think it should be the same company at Takashimaya. If not, you can put me on the lab calling list, thanks!
Ah Nee
hi dan
as far as i can recall it may have been during secondary 1; at that time there was a cholera (not sure of spelling) outbreak and all students were given a jap against it; the pain was somehow unbearable and i fainted and ever since then i have had this fear in me; you can imagine what is was like when i was diagnose with diabetes as i had to prick my finger at least 3 times a day to test my sugar level;
the good thing was because i was so fearful of needles i immmediately decided to be in control of my diabetes in order to avoid the needle pricking; i have been so successful in controlling my blood sugar and cholesterol at present that i only need to go for my blood test every 6 mths; sad to say i am still afraid of the needles…will be happy to share my experiences a little more in terence diabetic group post in due course…
as for the clinical trials i will give you the next letter of offer if and when i receive same; actually i would be able to have quite a good monthly income from these trials if only i can overcome my fear of needles… sigh!
daniel ong
Dan & others,
Just wondering out loud…Do you have to sign a ‘health waiver’ when becoming ‘human guinea pigs’ for such clinicial trials for medicines, injections, cosmetic creams etc ???
Tks for sharing your experiences,
Jonathan
Hi Jonathan,
Are you refering to some form of imdemnity or insurance protection? I did sign a commitment form where I can opt out anytime.
Dan
Hi Dan,
Tks for info. Opt out form is good.
I refer to any signing of Indemnity or Waiver forms. Will the company be responsible if there is an adverse reaction in the body due to the product? Are they liable in such event?
Jonathan
Hi Dan and all
I did a survery sone years back too and was paid $100 for sitting in front of a PC answering a series of questions on skin care products. I took about an hour to finish, but overheard some womem who made it in 15 mins saying that they just anyhow click on the answers, irresponsible but they still get their money also.
Was asked to take part in skin care product by a local skin clinic whcih offer $300 for a 5 weekly trial but could not take this assignment because of my holidays.
Wouldn’t mind going for such trials, especially if this relates to diabetes, eyecare, skin car etc so Frisna, Daniel and all…..got lobangs hor not only call abangs hor, kakaks like me also don’t mind some extra cash to buy nice bajus and stuff too…I can do with a new DSLR camera so I can convert my old one to an IR one hahahahahaha
Sockie
Hi Jonathan @#21,
The company will not be responsible for any adverse reaction due to the sample trial products. That’s why we are called “guinea pig”…heheee….Trial at your own risk! :(
Ah Nee
Hi Ah Nee, mine is in different shop.ctr, will give you their name card at next sat. gathering
Halo kakak Sockie, the diabetes survey was done 2 months a go (n i had difficulty finding enough female ‘g.pig’.) for next one, will get ur contact no. at next sat mtg. ok?
Wah!…you all got lobang, get money..me…fell into lobang & lose money!…kesian not?!
I ever kena the time sharing scam!…they promise sweet nothings!..the problem with me is…im easily ‘trap’ & never learn my lesson!..ish!
I think we should be very very careful with clinical trials cause though the money may be attractive, it will never never compensate for the sufferings should something go wrong cause, it is after all a trial right and I’m sure you’ll have to sign an indemnity form. Unless of course, you have an existing health problem and the test is on the same but still…….
I used to work part time during the school holidays years back for a research company and did surveys/products/focus group discussions like Frisna’s at #16. The money may be much smaller but they are interesting and there’s no need to take risks on our health.
Daisy..
You are rite…we should be cautious…nothing is free!..
especially when u try face creams…suddenly when u wake up nx morning…your whole face got breakout!…who is liable for that?..then u hv to go doctor & spend more to rectify the poor cute pretty/handome face lor….haha
But if just survey..cakap2 & borak2 a bit & can get $$..why not..i also want leh..hee..good morning everyone! :)
Hi,
Dan, Ah Nee, etc were participating in what would be known as focus groups. Their objectives are usually either to find out your reactions to new products and/or to discover what new products you would buy. These are quite legitimate. Getting invited to such events is not easy. U have to fit their profile & is usually drawn from the company’s database.
Clinical trials that Daniel#10 mentioned has high payment to reflect the high risk. U are basically a guinea pig for a new drug, etc. They are trying to prove the drug as well as discover possible side-effects, etc.
Most of the calls you receive are disguised sales events for time share, land banking, hotel/entertainment packages. U usually have to suffer through long pres where hard selling is done (toned down a little since cooling down period law).
The focus groups events as daisy #26 mentioned are really the best reward/risk but, as I said, diff to get invited to
ah nee@23
Tks for info regarding trial at your own risks. Seems a cheap way for companies to test out new products, without any complaints/lawsuits against them if something goes wrong. Anyway, guess it up to us to weigh the pros/cons for such trials.
andrew@28
agreed, focus groups/surveys tend to be ‘safer’. Just fill out forms or talk-talk for awhile (sometimes got food also ;-)) then get paid $$.
Daisy@26 & Nor@27 & Others,
Many websites for those who are interested to contribute & earn some spare cash. Do a search on internet by keying “earn spare cash”.
Frisna, Ah Nee,
I also interested leh.
Got any ‘lobang’ for me?
Good morning Mary Chan,
Be the guinea pig for skin care products is getting very popular. We wanted to register some SHC members who are interested, but was rejected by the company. They have more than enough names on their list currently. Got ‘lobang’, can include you lah………
Ah Nee
Lee Ah Nee
Yes please do. Doesn’t have to be cosmetic products only. Surveys too.
Thanks
Dear lobang kakis,
A recent announcement in the SGH inhouse newsletter:
“SGH Sleep Disorders Unit is conducting a research study
on sleep disorders. Healthy volunteers above 60 yrs w/o
existing sleeping problemsare invited to undergo an overnite
sleep study and receive a free sleep evaluation by a
consultant neurologist. Volunteer will be provided a Class
A ward and amenities for nite of the study and paid $100.
The study of normal sleep patterns is needed as a basis of
comparison with ppl suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.
For more info, pls drop email to James Tan @ cl_tan@utac.com.sg
I’ve not called the no. as I’m too young to qualify yet.
Those who try kindly feedback your experience.
james
Well, well, well James-T @ #33, yr invite to the Sleep Disorder Test is anything but well. Imagine this.
Our SHC active activists – and they are not small in number – sign up for this Test. Even tho they are pampered with Class A cxomfort, do you think they will sleep? Nothing to do with disorder. It is in the order of the day (and into nite) that they will chat, chatter, danz, sing, sommersault from 1 bed to another. What kind of sleep pattern will the hospital get out of paying each of us $100?
But then there’s no telling that it will and is really the key to opening the mystery surrounding Parkinson’s disease, and provides the cure. In the most improbable is where the answer lies.
Hi fellow diabetics,
Here’s some research ad by NUS that I read in a Diabetics magazine:
“Volunteers w diabetes are invited to be screened for a
clinical research program.
You will be reimbursed for your time and transport.
Some participants may be offered the opportunity to take’
part in a study of an investigational/test medicine for
diabetes”
http://www.med.nus.edu.sg/lilly/HV_Advert_Eng%20(PR%20OCT%2007).doc
Contact info and sign-up form are available in
http://www.med.nus.edu.sg/lilly/
I’ve not called them yet as I can’t spare so much time
for the trial.
Those who want to try kindly feedback yr experience.
james
Abang, got a lobang!
Anyone keen to undergo a clinicsl trial at NUH, email me at ‘danzjoy@gmail.com’
Only for smoker.
Dan
There will be no sequel to ‘Live to eat’. I just went for my medical test and found that my glucose level has shot up to 12.2. Danger, and high alert was wat the doctor told me.
Instead a post on ‘Eat to live’ will be upcoming. There will be more emphasis on eating healthily and I will be advocating vegetarian diet. How about we form a support group along the line of the ‘Anonymous Alcoholic’ which allowed us to come together and give moral and healthy tips to each other.
In line with this, I got a good lobang, the Singapore Polytechnic is recruiting Type II patient to attend a free Taiji class to test their effect on diabetic patients.
Those who are interested may contact Miss Joanne Lin at ‘s41842@sp.edu.sg’
Dan
Hello, Abang got lobang!
Anyone keen to take up a project that pay at least $14.00 per job, potentially can earn up to $28.00 if two jobs are completed withing an hour. More if you can do three jobs, need to factor in travelling time. Training will be provided. You are required to own a car or a motorcycle.
We are in the fiber optic line, contact ‘danhuang7728@gmail.com’ for detail.
Dan