Michael Rottman

Review of Baltimore Research

For any company looking for a market research firm...

For any company looking for a market research firm in the area, I would suggest you go with another firm (there are multiple) that treats their research participants better than this place does, unless you wish to have potential target audience consumers walk away with negative feelings towards your company. *if your a participant, DEFINITELY stay away*

I was emailed twice & received 4 phone calls from this company today because they really needed to make their participant quota during today's snowstorm. I then agreed to participate in their focus group-same day and at 8 pm. I was called 30 mins beforehand to confirm whether I was on my way, for which I responded "yes my GPS says I'm 25 mins away, I'm coming from an hour away so I may be a minute behind" For which they responded "Great, see you then" .
I arrived at exactly 8:01 pm & was at the door of their small office building at 8:02 pm, while trying to find the correct door, i was called at 8:04 pm by the same man i spoke to before saying simply " You did not arrive by 8 pm & you will not be paid" & I explained to him that I was literally inside the front door trying to find the right office room. He said "It does not matter, you will not be paid"

I have done a handful of focus groups over the years & have never been treated with such disrespect for my time. I cannot believe that a market research firm does not understand the value of treating their participants respectfully, since well, you know, we are their client's target audience.

Although I know Omaha Steaks was not directly responsible for Baltimore Research's poor treatment of their participants, I am now left with a poor taste of Omaha; so my office will never be ordering from them in the future.

I do these focus groups for fun but this place really ruined the whole experience this time.