Microsoft Usability Studies (Not spam, just lookin out)

[elguapo84]

Have any of you PNW guys ever heard of Microsoft usability testing? If not, go to www.microsoft.com/usability and fill out the general enrollment form then call 888-261-8488 and say that Reid Nelson referred you to participate in a usability study.
Essentially this is what happens...you go to Microsoft main campus in redmond and spend anywhere from 1 to 4 hours testing some Microsoft software or hardware, such as the Zune, xbox 360 or windows mobile. Then they give you 1 or 2 software "gratuities" depending on how long your study was, which you can then sell on ebay or through craigslist for anywhere from 250-400 dollars depending on which software you choose. I met a guy through craigslist who you can call and will meet you in redmond or seattle area and give you cash on the spot. You can do one study every three months, so around the 2 1/2 month marker call that phone number again and say its been about 3 months, and they'll get you signed up again. Just so you guys know the past three times I've done this I've made 640, 660, and 510 dollars, respectively. This is one of the main ways I've funded my m-tech, and is the financial source of my upcoming suspension upgrade. This is something you should all consider taking advantage of. My roommate lucked out and got a four week longitudinal study (1 hour each week, 4 days total) and he net 1350 for four hours of his time plus driving. Easy, legitimate, fast money. Selling the software is legal, but don't talk about it when you're at Microsoft, because its sort of looked down upon. Let me know if you have any general questions or questions about which product pays the best, etc...

[elguapo84]

oh by the way, you don't have to say that I referred you, but you can use my name if they ask...

[BigFurryWhale]

Sounds pretty awesome to me. I wish I lived closer to Redmond.

[Kruzen]

Just so you know, resale of these usability rewards is illegal and bound by the TOS agreement you sign in order to participate, if caught selling the software you will get assreemed by microsoft, its rare but its happened.

[Jscotty]

I appriciate the info and if I lived closer to Washington State, I would participate. But please do not tell everyone about this. You will mess it up for everyone who is in the program now. Eventually one friend will tell another and the key points of this will get lost through the exchange of information to the point where they start getting overrun with noobs who will show up at Redmond asking where and how they can get the free software to sell on Ebay. It sounds like you have a good thing going. Don't blow it for the other folks who are "secretly" abusing it and need the money. The last thing you want is a line around the building of people saying, "I was told that you guys are giving out free XBOX consoles to sell on ebay! Is this true?"

[Kruzen]

I appriciate the info and if I lived closer to Washington State, I would participate. But please do not tell everyone about this. You will mess it up for everyone who is in the program now. Eventually one friend will tell another and the key points of this will get lost through the exchange of information to the point where they start getting overrun with noobs who will show up at Redmond asking where and how they can get the free software to sell on Ebay. It sounds like you have a good thing going. Don't blow it for the other folks who are "secretly" abusing it and need the money. The last thing you want is a line around the building of people saying, "I was told that you guys are giving out free XBOX consoles to sell on ebay! Is this true?"

You don't really just 'walk on' to microsoft's campus :p so that won't be a huge issue.

They've been doing this for years and its not a huge secret, but I wouldn't go around ebaying products, because they do keep track of some of the products they give away to watch for people selling it. Keep it to private market if you're gonna do it.

[Jscotty]

True- Its not a secret at all, however, this kind of reminds me of that thing they had on the internet back in 1999 to around 2000 where they were paying people big money to take surveys and look at advertisments. The whole concept of getting PAID to surf the internet was very attractive to both advertisers and consumers until people figured out how to just milk these companies for any amount of money that they were paying out. And eventually these offers ended because of that.

Granted, Microsoft has probably figured this out far ahead of what my little brain could anticipate but I would hate to see them pull the plug because too many idiots are out there anxiously attempting to sell this stuff.

[elguapo84]

didn't realize it was illegal...I assumed that once they gave you the gratuity, that it was yours to do with what you wished. My dad works for Microsoft, and it is certainly illegal for him to resell products he buys at the company store, but I had no idea that selling usability gratuities was illegal. I apologize for the misinformation.

I asked one of the usability engineers there about selling the gratuities, and he didn't say anything about legality, but he did say they know what goes on outside of Microsoft, and to just not talk about it in the building. That being said, I'm advertising this to people who live in the PNW who are intelligent and respectful enough to participate in a study and keep the selling aspects of it to themselves. For those of you who have not done this before and are interested, sign up, but again keep the selling private. Thanks.

[Jscotty]

didn't realize it was illegal...I assumed that once they gave you the gratuity, that it was yours to do with what you wished.

It seems like that would make sense. And if you only participated in one project and got one item for your efforts and you decided to sell it, I am sure that there would be no harm or foul. But when you decide to do it as a career where you go week after week selling items repeatedly on ebay that can eventually become a problem.

I think it also protects Microsoft from their end because if you were getting money for efforts then it would become an issue of taxes, insurance, and labor laws. And this can get complicated if they simply want to use a cross-section from the local community. So by giving gifts I would imagine that this is the safest way to deal with the general public without having to be concerned about citizenship, criminal backgrounds, etc. Just get em in the door to test the software and send them on their way. And this is all speculation. I am sure that your dad would know more than I would about this.

[elguapo84]

It seems like that would make sense. And if you only participated in one project and got one item for your efforts and you decided to sell it, I am sure that there would be no harm or foul. But when you decide to do it as a career where you go week after week selling items repeatedly on ebay that can eventually become a problem.

I think it also protects Microsoft from their end because if you were getting money for efforts then it would become an issue of taxes, insurance, and labor laws. And this can get complicated if they simply want to use a cross-section from the local community. So by giving gifts I would imagine that this is the safest way to deal with the general public without having to be concerned about citizenship, criminal backgrounds, etc. Just get em in the door to test the software and send them on their way. And this is all speculation. I am sure that your dad would know more than I would about this.

Actually they have to do taxes for it because some of the products they give out retail for over 600...so if you opt for visual studio or project standard, you have to give them your SSN and address so they can send you a tax form. Unfortunately you can't do this week after week (I wish)...they've set it up so you can only go every three months. Although I'm sure a small minority of ebay sellers have been flagged down for selling usability gratuities, I've been doing it for the past three years without any problems. Maybe that's because I sell them locally for cash. Nonetheless, I still try to be low key about it when I'm physically on microsoft's main campus.