Baltimore Research Review

This review is geared toward anyone considering being a participant in a Baltimore Research focus group. I qualified for a study after I went through a 20+ minute survey over the phone. In addition to this call, I also completed an optional homework assignment which took another 20+ minutes to complete. I work in Columbia, but I made plans to drive all the way up to their Towson facility in order to participate in the survey. When I arrived, I was asked to complete more paperwork. The survey was supposed to start at 7pm, but as of 7:05pm myself and three other participants were still in the waiting room. Around 7:05pm, the other three people in the room were called to go into the panel, but I was left behind. It turns out that Baltimore Research sometimes overbooks their panels. Apparently, the client only wanted 3 participants. Not once during the process was I told that I may not be able to participate in the panel. I saw no mention of this on their website, in their email communications, etc. Granted, I was still paid for having shown up on time, but I was still aggravated that I had gone out of my way to come to Towson in rush hour traffic to participate.

If you're considering participating in a Baltimore Research panel, consider the amount of time you may spend on the qualification survey/call, a possible homework assignment, driving, paperwork when you arrive, etc. Knowing that you may be turned away, is worth it? I didn't think so.

This is a very nice Research facility. And the staff is very nice also.

I like earning extra money and baltimore research makes it easy

I have participated in many Baltimore Research focus groups for many years. I do not know how my experiences could be much better. I have always been treated with respect from the time of the first screening call until walking out of the door. I feel the employees have been trained very well. They gave me precise directions regarding what to expect, when to arrive (early), where to go, etc. The reception area is clean and inviting and the room you wait in always has snacks and water. To my recollection they advise you to arrive early and even have a monetary incentive for arriving early, a drawing which I once won. The focus group leaders are VERY professional and the rooms are comfortable. They start on time and end on time, thank you for your honest feed back, hand you your envelope and that is that. The only thing I can think of that would be better is if I qualified for more focus groups. The experiences are each different and interesting, every participant is encouraged to share views and the compensation is good. I look forward to qualifying for another focus group.

Awesome concept that pays pretty well.. very professional and enjoyable to be a part of it is a great feeling

Its great when u can attend, but their screening process eliminates most qualified people. I get to go once every couple years. I m a contractor, cat owner, coffee drinker outdoorsman n hv bn DISQUALIFIED from even those forums. Other Companies pay more, feed you n less stringent.

This place is great! I've done multiple studies there. Friendly staff, very fun looking place with the different decorative art displays. Love meeting the different people and giving my input at the studies. Getting paid some extra cash for my opinions doesn't hurt either.

It's been a good experience so far since I started participating in their research studies.

I m editing my original review where I said I didn t get a gift card for a survey that was promised. I did receive it. The first representative I talked to kind of blew me off but once the info got to other people they went above and beyond to respond to my concern. That kind of thing can happen anywhere. I wouldn t hesitate to work with them again.

Hey! If you get a chance please register here to become a participant. They have great studies and a wonderful staff!!!! The money is Waaaaayyy cool too. Go online and register today!!!! I did and they call me in to do studies of all sorts. I love it!!!

I liked Baltimore Research because they give you your payment upon completion of the focus group. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because they did not serve food like most focus groups for their 3pm meeting, offering only a bottle of water.

Great company you get paid to help then with research. Only thing is it's on a visa gift card and you can't take the cash out at an ATM

I haven't been getting calls from them at all very disappointed

IF you can qualify for a research study, take it!!! They are very professional AND pay u afterwards!!!!

35 minutes to get there for a research study that by there phone said i qualified for them after 20 monutes oops you don't qualify 35 more minutes driving time thanks for wasting my time amd gas

This was my first time at this facility. They provided just what was needed for us to do our work. We were satisfied.

I love this place . I learned a lot from here. Meet new people. An find out about new subject and places.

I gave honest, forthright answers to this organization. My answers to the pre-survey questions took a substantial amount of time on my part. Having been disqualified twice, I honestly don't think it is worth the effort anymore. There is no incentive whatsoever to even answer the questions put to you by these folks. I believe that with so many rejections (2 in one afternoon alone, with no explanation whatsoever other than "criteria not met") the whole process is useless. I am extremely disappointed. If it looks too good to be true, then chances are it is... I won't be wasting my valuable time with this laissez-faire organization in the future.

Staff was professional and friendly. Social distancing was practiced and enforced at all times. I was comfortable and felt safe during my 45 minute study. Paid via Visa gift card which was fine since it was drawn from Bank of America. I activated the gift card and visited the branch ATM closest to home. Withdrawing the cash was quick and easy. Will definitely continue to participate.

Thanks for always considering me for all your inquiries

Great place, also you can earn you some cash.. and learn new things

It is interesting to take part in the research marketing focus groups, and they give you a gift card for your time

The staff here is great everyone is so pleasant and polite. I don't get chosen to do allot of focus group studies but when I am chosen which is once a year. I am always placed with beautiful people in the studies. I have never experienced nothing negative always positive . The location is hard to get too on public transportation and its easy to ride past if u not paying attention to addresses. .

Beautiful remodel has just been completed on all of their focus group suites. Very professional staff when i have had the opportunity to participate. Parking is very convenient. I have every confidence that the intimation i provide is kept safe and secure.

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.

It's a very nice facility. It sits next to my tennis courts. Here's my Cabin which is 1 hour from here in the mountains. Check it out.

Great opportunity to make money and be part of something

Finally got a chance to participate in one of the studies and I had a ball and I learned some things about myself.

Great research groups and compensation is very well

If I could give negative stars, I would. I was treated so poorly today by this company's front desk staff. This was after I received a survey approval email today & one hour before the study was to begin. I contacted the office and was in full communication with staff about due to the short notice email confirmation sent today that I may be 5 min late, which didn't appear to be a problem over the phone, until I arrived at 11:04 am, this was after I've never been at the location before and finding the relocated conference room. No sooner that I'd arrived, I was treated so rudely by the receptionists, I asked to speak to the manager-- he refused to listen to my situation--- and did nothing but show me the door. I left never feeling so horribly disappointed by the manner in which I was treated by a company's staff. And no, I didn't get paid, either.
UPDATE: I was contacted by a representative of the company this week the about my experience and she was very understanding and empathetic towards my experience. My stars have changed because I believe management believes in listening to clients and also open to making Baltimore Research the best company it can be and the value of customer input. I'm very pleased I was not only listened to about my experience, but she was very interested in ways to improve their services on all levels and that was genuinely appreciated.