Anyone know anything about Focuscope.com?

I just got an email from some company called Focuscope.com.

It says basically that they got my info from an internet search, and want my responses to help with a research paper they're doing. It says if I qualify they might want to do a phone interview for "compensation."

There is a Chicago based market research company with that website, and all the contact info they gave me matches. And I did recently send in for a promotion for the product they're asking about. So overall I'm not too worried about them being a real company.

Does anyone have any experience with them? What kind of "compensation" do they give for interviews? What are the interviews like? Anything else I should know about?

I really dislike doing surveys/interviews over the phone, so I'm probably going to tell them no, But if they're really good, I might reconsider. I've got until Thursday morning to send my response.

Tia!

IF you are still around I'd like to know what information you have on this company I found it in childrens summer guide and was thinking on signing up. Thanks

I got the following info from the BBB:

BBB issues Reliability Reports on all businesses, whether or not they are BBB accredited. If a business is a BBB Accredited Business, it is stated in this report BBB Definition:

report - A summary of activity reflected in a company's BBB file. Includes basic business background, BBB Accreditation information, and BBB complaint activity over the previous three years. Also reports may include any known government actions, advertising issues or other information that results from activity conducted by the BBB.
.
Name: Focuscope Inc
Phone: (708) 386-5086
Fax: (708) 386-1207
Address: 1100 Lake St

Oak Park, IL 60301
Website: www.focuscope.com
Original Business Start Date: January 1980
Principal: Ms. Ann Rooney, President
Customer Contact: Ms. Ann Rooney, President - (708) 386-5086
Employees: 75
TOB Classification: Market Research & Analysis
BBB Accreditation: This organization is not a BBB Accredited business.


The BBB has requested basic information from this company. The BBB has not received a response. Without this information, the BBB may not have current information concerning such things as the company's management or its nature of business.


Customer Experience

The BBB processed a total of 0 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period.


Company Management

Additional company management personnel include:

Mr. Kevin Rooney - Vice President


Additional Contact Information

Additional Addresses
515 N State St Ste 1920
Chicago, IL 60610




Industry Tips

Shop, Dine AND Get Paid?
Is This Survey for Real? (see article below)



Report as of June 24, 2008
Copyright© 2008 BBB®, Inc.


If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Reliability Report BBB Definition:

Report - A summary of activity reflected in a company's BBB file. Includes basic business background, BBB Accreditation information, and BBB complaint activity over the previous three years. Also reports may include any known government actions, advertising issues or other information that results from activity conducted by the BBB.
.

As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business.

BBB Reliability Reports are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information in this BBB Reliability Report is believed reliable, but not guaranteed as to accuracy.

BBB Reliability Reports generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Reliability Reports are subject to change at any time.
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ALSO, I got these tips in case they help (Sorry no direct help):

Is This Survey for Real?

Occasionally you may receive a call asking you to participate in a market research or opinion poll. Survey research is a legitimate and scientific process of acquiring data from the public. Each year, millions of consumers are interviewed on a variety of topics. Such information is used to develop new products, improve services and guide policy and legislation and is used by health care providers, the government, airlines, private businesses and others.
In calls to Better Business Bureaus, however, consumers express confusion on how to distinguish between a legitimate opinion poll or research survey, and a business that is trying to sell them something. How can you tell the difference? If you are not careful to make the distinction, you could end up providing information that will be sold to third parties, or used to generate contact lists for the sales of all types of products and services.

The Council for Marketing and Opinion Research notes that legitimate survey research companies should never divulge your identity, personal information or individual answers unless you specifically give them permission to do so. In addition, they should never sell or give your name or phone number to anyone else. No one should ever contact you as a result of your participation except perhaps to validate that you did in fact participate.

Before you respond to a market survey or opinion poll, ask these questions to determine if the telephone call, mail survey or email is a legitimate survey:

Are you selling something?
Will my participation in this survey result in anyone contacting me to try to sell me anything?
Will my name and personal information be sold or dispensed to anyone who will contact me to try to sell me anything?
A legitimate research company should answer no to all of these questions. Legitimate researchers and professional marketing and opinion research firms do NOT ask for money or attempt to sell products or services. Occasionally, survey research companies will offer a gift to the respondent in appreciation of his or her cooperation. Such a gift could be a cash donation to a charity, a product sample or a nominal monetary award.

If the caller answers "yes" to any of these questions, assume that you are dealing with a telemarketer who is attempting to sell goods or services to the public. It is usually wise to ask a telemarketer to mail you information on their product or service. Do not make an immediate decision over the telephone. At the very least, ask for their telephone number and address, so that you can check them out with the Better Business Bureau before you make a purchasing decision.

You should also ask for the name and address of the firm or research company that is supposedly conducting the survey or opinion poll. If the caller or marketer refuses or hesitates to provide that information, assume you are not dealing with a reputable research company.

Two other activities conducted under the guise of research are the practices of fundraising and political telemarketing. Before responding to any charity solicitation, whether it arrives in the form of a "survey" or a request for a donation, check with the Better Business Bureau.

If you are asked to respond to political questions, or polls around election time, ask for the name of the firm or the research company that is conducting the research. If the caller is reluctant to disclose the name of the firm or organization, take that as a sign that you are talking to a political telemarketer. His or her goal is to influence potential voters, not gather information that will be used to determine the public's opinion on a specific issue or candidate.
12/4/2002

© 2002 Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.