Question

Topic: Research/Metrics

To Choose A Reliable Trend Research Company

Posted by Anonymous on 8/4/2008 at 7:58 PM ET 25 Points
There is this trend research company that has approached me and tried to sell me this subscription package (newsletters 5 issues per year, cds about style, etc). This is how they get the data from according to the web site:

(1) Room Views track the most important home furnishing ideas being seen by consumers in the media and marketplace, (2) Room News report on specific consumer shifts in value or lifestyle, and new home-based products entering the market, and (3) Room Cues inspire new product and room ideas based on popular market images and emerging style preferences.

I am going to write to them an email to inquire about how specifically they obtained the data, since I would like to make sure whatever they offer is a good representation of the real trends out there…are there any other questions I should ask to find out whether I should invest the money in subscribing to their service? Please help



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RESPONSES

  • Posted by jenshinn on 8/5/2008 at 7:02 PM Accepted
    I can honesty say that I have never heard of this company before reading your posting. So I don't know anything about the accuracy of their data or sources.

    Before investing in any purchase I ask myself:

    1) What exactly am I going to do with this information? Write down your answers look back at them when it's time to renew to confirm the information has served it's purpose.

    2) Is this the only source for obtaining this info? Look for their competitors and check out their pricing.

    3) How will I know if my money is well spent? Will it get me three new clients? What will my Return on Investment (ROI) be?

    4) Is there a trial membership? Or can I cancel before my subscription is up?

    Finally I would spend sometime on their website and read through prior Blog postings. There will most likely be a theme to how they present their findings. Make sure the format will fit with how you want to use the data.

    Thanks for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
  • Posted on 8/5/2008 at 9:57 PM Accepted
    I agree with the poster above - can you get a trial membership, or at least a sample of what they purport to offer? You'll want to make sure that what they're offering is truly of value to you - at the very least you should be able to get a table of contents and a sample of some pages of a report to see if the information may be worth the investment. You still may not know for sure, but at least you'll have a better indication.
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