Photo credit: AJC1
ProductTesting.uk.com is a company promising to provide free products for review purposes. Okay, they don’t say EVERYONE will get something but at least you could be in with a chance.
I get enough products from companies, agencies and my own pocket to keep me busy but thought, as lot of thse companies can be “too good to be true” to see what happens. Sadly, it was worse than I could have imagined.
Currently they are offering iPhone 4S’s and are heavily promoting this with a Google+ and Facebook presence.
Visiting their site you have to initially provide some contact details which they insist on – particularly a mobile number so they can “contact you if you are successful”. You are then presented with pages and pages of free offers to sign up for or questions to answer (most of which, inevitable, lead to more questions in the hope of getting you to sign up for something else). I was very careful and ensured I signed up for NOTHING.
About 10 minutes later I’d finished it and was told I could claim £20 from another site. I passed on this.
Within minutes I’d received a spam email and within hours I’d received 2 spam text as well. The company themselves have also sent me 2 emails even though I unsubscribed after the first one was received.
That was yesterday. Today I received a cold call asking me about my broadband supplier. I refused and told them I didn’t speak to cold callers. They stated they weren’t because they’d received my details from ProductTesting.uk.com (I should add that cold calling is, by definition, a call that was not asked for. Which I hadn’t). They were rude and refused to remove my contact details from their database.
How did this happen?
We do outline in the Privacy Policy- http://www.producttesting.uk.com/privacy.php that your data maybe shared with 3rd parties. When signing up you do have to check a box to acknowledge acceptance of these terms.
So, they’re going to hand your details over to anyone they feel like anyway. Why bother giving the options on the survey and not sign us up to everything anyway?
Indeed, their policy states…
By registering and entering your details you consent to us, our clients and selected third parties sending you information by email, post, SMS or telephone about products and/or services that have been selected based on your stated interests. You will also be contacted via phone by either O2, Talktalk, Vodafone or Prizestore.
The link to this, confusingly along with their “Terms”, is a tick box on the initial screen where you enter your first name and an email address. On all further screens there is no link.
It’s my fault, yes? It was clearly in their policy, which they linked to. Except, when you’ve gone through pages of having to turn down being contacted by third parties you’d think that would be it – how many people genuinly look through pages of terms and conditions before doing anything?
I’ve spoken to them on Google+ about this and they simply quote the fact that it’s in their privacy policy, as if that makes it all right. That makes it fine to be spammed by email and phone and to be phoned by rude, pushy individuals?
If Google updated their T&Cs for Gmail so that anyone signing up received this treatment do you really think that would be deemed to be acceptable? Or would you expect some clarity and for a company not to hide practises which, let’s be honest, people don’t like in the small print. Indeed everyone I’ve spoken to have been horrified by the fact that they do this.
I requested that they remove my details from their database and they provided me with an email address that immediately bounced. However, I then used info@producttesting.uk.com, which is shown on their website, and they responded to this one, stating they would remove my details. We’ll see.
Wednesday, 6th June
Even after un-subscribing from their emails repeatedly and them telling me that my details had been removed, I continue to get mails from them.
Thursday, 12th July
After discussions with an angry customer on their Google+ page it would appear that the company are sending out emails suggesting that they have actually won an iPhone.
I hope this makes your day, you have been selected test and keep the new iPhone 4S.
This is what you need to do once you have done so we can proceed:
- Sign up now and enter your details and complete the questionnaire.
- Use the product for 7 days and write a thorough review.
- Keep the product for your own use for ever!All the best,
Paul
It then directs them to perform the survey – I’ve removed the URL from the email as it will probably identify the source but it does take you to the front page where it does state “if you’re chosen”. Of course, if you’ve got there by clicking on email stating that you have been you would think nothing of it.
The email is sent from Paul Knapp.
The above was taken, again, from their Google+ page and not from an actual email – as soon as I can find someone who has retained one and can forward it on I will check it’s absolute validity. However, I have no reason to believe the above if false. Assuming it’s not, this is blatant false advertising.
Thursday, 19th July
Another email that they have sent out, suggesting that they have won (but in fact want them to simply sign up)…
You have been specifically chosen to test the all new ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ with the Samsung GALAXY SIII!
What is ice cream sandwhich you may ask?
Well it’s the brand new android operating system for phones, we need you to tell us if it’s good or not!
We will give you the Samsung GALAXY SIII so YOU can test the phone and new android system!
Also you get to keep the phone for your own use once you have told us your thoughts!
What are you waiting for? Register today!
I’ve now had one of these emails forwarded onto me so I can confirm their validity. Now, I’m no lawyer but I think this is stating that the receiver has won the product, even when they haven’t. We’ve now gone from morally questionable activities to a question of legality.
To add insult to injury, I’m also told that the emails they send out no longer have an unsubscribe option too.
Top
I got this one in my inbox from the same product testing it reads>
“Gary, You have been selected to test and keep the iPhone 4S.”
So i did all the filling in 15mins worth of saying no no no no no, 2 mins after my inbox add 3 emails from them ( in my spam folder). But to read the heading> Gary, “You have been selected to test and keep the iPhone 4S.” one would say that you have got one and just need to fill in your details and hay presto, But no, this kind of email are missleading and should be stoped, although i will be contacting them and asking when will you be sending my iphone 4s??, but to all other readers STAY CLEAR OF EMAILS SAYING POSSIBLE WINNER OF ” ” has your inbox may get filled up with spam emails that you do not want. I allso get about 7 to 10 a week emails saying i have wone the lotery £1.0000.00, or your email was selected as a winner of” ” And the list goes on and on, But to summit up if you did not enter then you cannot winn. Thanks for reading gary
Thank you for your insightful post – I have had two emails from this company regarding a free iPhone4. I was in two minds, thought “maybe it’s a legitimate site as it has a co.uk ending” but also thought no-one gives anything away for free, there is always a catch.
I am naturally dubious about any emails that ask me to click on them and promise to give away expensive items like this, so I did a google search and this site was one of those that came up.
Now I know to delete the emails and not to bother. Thank you!
Cheers for this. i did exactly the same as Shaz. i was unsure if I might have entered a competition, especially as they misspelt my name in thesame way that i give to some sites.
Anyone thought of complaining to either the Information Commissioner’s Office or the ASA? I’m a little rusty on this, but I know that email marketing has to be OPT IN, and you have to have the clear opportunity to opt out. Also if you opt out and they continue to market to you that’s a breach of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) 2003.
I found this blog as a result of receiving one of their emails which seemed too good to be true. Thanks for the article as it confirms that it is!
HI,
I was wondering, you mention that you are sent stuff from companies and agencies to trial already. How would I get in contact with these legitimate testing companies?
Nick
Companies are happy to send samples for review assuming you have a good quality site that is already demonstrating appropriate review content. You can either approach companies directly or PR companies. Or wait and they’ll soon contact you once your site gets recognised.
When I first created this site I was reliant on my own products – once readership and interested grew I was approached by a company directly. The best thing to do is to make yourself open to PR news release, etc, and blog about these. Make sure those companies know what you’re doing and show an interest. From that product reviews should occur.
There’s no golden answer to this and, I’ll admit, the direct approach to companies has rarely worked for me.
Thank you for this web site David.
I like the others above received an email and was very tempted but thought, wait a minute, so i did a search for reviews on the company and ‘voila!’
I get enough SPAM to last a lifetime, I just want the ‘phone’ if they’re offering it!
Oh well.
Keep up the good work and thank you all for your comments!
Hi all.
I’m here to state that producttesting.uk.com is a completely genuine company. I too thought it wasn’t genuine but then I was selected to receive a new iPad to test and review and then keep ( I am typing on it for this!!)
Just to confirm I do not work for them and am a genuine reviewer. Check out my pic and review on their Facebook page if you don’t believe me.
I must have submitted 10+ questionnaire responses before I was selected. I also checked no to every offer as I didn’t want to receive cold calls and to date I haven’t received any!
You just have to keep trying I’m afraid.
Rob,
I have no doubt that they do indeed send these products out to a few select people. I’ve never questioned this. My entire article was about them spamming me, without request, by hiding it deep within their T&Cs.
David.
I’ve seen the “review”, and it looks more like an advert for Product testing than a review for the iPad. The review is poorly written, and has no useful substance, but is at pains to point out – several times – that Product Testing is not a scam honest.
I’m bombarded with crap from this website, have never opted in, and there is no visible way to opt out. That breaks the law, and in that respect alone, makes it pretty much a scam in my books.
Sorry Jason, I didnt know you were related to Shakespeare.
I guess I’m not as experienced as you in writing online blogs etc as I have better things to do with my time than prattle on to other like minded people like yourself who are an insignificant number
If you’ve been following their Google+ page you’ll see we are more than “an insignificant number”. It appears that the only people saying nice things about this company, apart from the staff, are the odd 1 or 2 who have actually been chosen to receive products.
Insulting those choosing to discuss a company that sends out spam, hides behind a T&Cs document and even sends out emails stating that people have won a product when they haven’t, is just rude. What we’re doing certainly isn’t “prattling” and a waste of time, but warnings others of all of the above.
So Its ok for one of your number to insult me then is it?
Im nothing but a genuine user of producttesting and was merely commenting that they arent a scam website as I had received a product which, according to your sad friend above, abused me for writing a poor review on.
Sorry for not being a well educated computer geek, i guess ill just have to ask the government whether they still want me to work for them as i’m obviously too thick to hold down the very important job that i do!!
“One of my number”. What does that mean?
Jason never “abused” you – I’d suggest you look the word up. He said the article you wrote wasn’t to a very high standard and I’d back that up – it wasn’t. I think you’re confusing “abuse” with “criticism”.
However, calling him my “sad friend” and then sarcastic remarks about not being a computer geek, that is insulting.
I don’t know what you are prattling on about, but a poorly written “review” is still a poorly written review. Why are you comparing people to Shakespeare and getting all sarcastic about it? We aren’t.
The fact that this scam company has chosen what you have written as a review that they use to sell their product, is just confirmation to me that they are really not worth dealing with.
Don’t take it so personally. They have used you, and now you just have to take the hit. You have been chosen as the fall-guy, and you accepted.
I’m happy to learn and improve, and I don’t make excuses for what I am not good at. Try it. You never know where it might take you. But please don’t expect the world to owe you pat on the back just because your words were used.
– Jason
Ibet robs one of the bots employed by product testing on giving my details to product testing I have been plagued by emails from every company under the sun also cold calls my emails have gone from none existent to at least 20 a day get lost product testing your driving me mad .
to be true , i am aslo not Shakespeare, but this stupid website is pissing me off by sending spam emails everyday I even notified them and clicked unsubscribe but they keep on sending email
Hi ev1
I only can tell you all who don’t believe that this product testing web site company is a honest and best product testing company I ever had to do with. I got a £100 Asda voucher bot long ago, and you can read my review on FaceBook and on Product testing Blog. 1 I thought it is a scam too because there are some black sheep on the internet, But again this is a real honest and great company and if you have not been chosen jet to test something it is because there are lots of people who want to get test products. Keep replaying on Face book and you will get a test product in future.
Oh ps about spamming, you can still unsubscribe from their emails and I only get emails with test products offers, competition or survey sites where you can really make some money. I find this emails very useful
Yes, you can unsubscribe but when they pass your details onto a number of third party companies you’ll potentially be doing a lot of unsubscribing. Indeed, I wasn’t talking about the emails THEY send.
Err, no you can’t. They still send out spam even when you “unsubscribe”.
I got promised a test iphone. Spent ages filling in pages of questions. I have now been deluged with spam phone calls, spam texts, and am thinking i may have to change my telephone number.
They are a bunch of time wasting twats. If I could find them, I would sue them for the trouble I have been caused.
As per a previous comment, I have to say I disagree with your initial statement – I thought it was clear that they only had a few to give out to people. However, yes, I then got deluged with spam and that, I think, is the issue. As for your final comment – their details are quite easily available, but I suspect your threat to sue was not serious anyway.
David.
they are now sending emails with no unsubscribe function which i believe is illegal they have also blocked me making comments on there posts …
spam spam spam thats all you get ..
I don’t think it’s illegal. Not nice, though.
by and by main part is they are wording emails saying you have been choosen etc …
they are jokers but i was like you also said didnt want info but still they send it
latest email
Congratulations Neil,
You have been specifically chosen to test the all new ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ with the Samsung GALAXY SIII!
What is ice cream sandwhich you may ask?
Well it’s the brand new android operating system for phones, we need you to tell us if it’s good or not!
We will give you the Samsung GALAXY SIII so YOU can test the phone and new android system!
Also you get to keep the phone for your own use once you have told us your thoughts!
What are you waiting for? Register today!
http://www.producttesting.uk.com/s3/?campaign=Product+Testing&keyword=160712-txt-gfar
Thanks David – Gmail put their “you have been selected test and keep the new iPhone 4S” email straight into my spam folder, but like others I wondered if it might be genuine. Your article confirms that Gmail has the right idea. Cheers.
BTW it was them who left out the ‘to’ in “… selected test …” in the email; I just copied/pasted it. Not a good start.
Thank you so much. Your information has been invaluable. I received the email from producttesting today and normally I delete all of these type of messages, but just for one minute, I considered opening it up (I view all emails through “view message source” and never open them if I don’t know who they are because of all the dogdy emails out there.
I received the ‘Ice cream sandwich’ one today. 5 times. So I emailed the info@ address they provided and told them to stop. I then received the email a 6th time, as if they were mocking me.
I have their postal address. I think I’m going to go over there with all my junk mail, kebab menus and assorted household, paper based garbage (including an old binbag) and drop it all over reception…
Anyone coming?
Follow me – Twitter @thehanvinator
I will, and take my bin bags as i got loads from them saying the same, please let me know when you are going?
I too have just received the Galaxy SIII ‘specifically chosen’ email, despite having never registered with producttesting.uk.com. Suspecting it to be too good to be true, a quick Google search brought me here.
The concensus is to steer clear then? I’ve only just got a Lumia 800 so the attraction is not for a new phone but everybody loves free shiny shiny!
I’d steer clear unless you like spam, cold calls and disappointment.
This company is bordering on the criminal with their dubious activities. if they were based in the USA, the directors would be facing up to 25 years each in jail! Unfortunately we are a little weak in the UK when it comes to protecting innocent people from scum like these
Don’t be tempted by their ads, actually Gmail does filter out their emails and places them automatically in the spam bin where they belong. If you are being spammed by them as a result of registering there seems to be very little that you can do, only wait for some new legislation to jail these cyber bandits!
Is there an option to change your e-mail address in their database? if yes, put their own e-mail address in it, they won’t be able to unsubscribe themselves!
Be extremely careful with the third parties. Cold calling is defined as someone who has no prior relationship calling you. Agreeing to contact with bla bla group and associates defines a relationship and so they are allowed to call you. No point arguing with the 6 pounds per hour agent, they unaware of the laws and have some mananger breathing down their neck.
At first sight looked genuine but as usual I googled the name and…Thanks for the warning.
Avoid producttesting-uk-com like the plague
hello. I am so worried. I never answer these emails, but thought I would try and get a good phone for my grand daughter (I am 68). what did worry me and I should have stopped there and then, was the fact I could not open their privacy policy and terms. I then returned their email asking why, but that oo bounced back. Foolishly I did complete the ever ending survey putting no to everything, but straight away got two texts which I deleted immediately for fear of being charge or whatever. So I will watch my emails too and delete accordingly. They will get fed up in the end surely. thank you for all your advice, I wish I had read your site before committing myself.
Hi, thanks for this article. I have begun product testing.co.uk research and been watching them closely for a consumer piece on my blog, and Googled around to see if others have had any troubles with them. I do think that they appear to be part of a long line of companies, that whilst maybe not quite classed as a scam, are very misleading and not very proper with their way of acting, service wise. I and many of your readers maybe too, fed up with receiving emails where in the itle it say you have one this or that, you will be given this, ect only for it to be a disappointing piece of marketing trickery. Ill keep watching and researching this company, but their are defiantly somethings misleading about them, and if you sign up to that free £20 offer, it just signs you up to a cashback site, where it deposits £20 into your account, but you need about £100 to be able to cashout-hardly a free twenty quid!
i signed up asked me for mt mobile number i was in 2 minds but decided to put it down half way through answering the questions i got 2 text witch i didnt sign upto? will i be charged?
Unless you responded to it, you won’t be charged, but you might find you get regular spam emails as a result.
David.
go on sign up and put in the phone number of a ppi firm
Just out of interest, I googled the ‘Product Testing UK’ address post-code (ME14 5PP) and it came up as a ‘Conference and Banqueting’ business -
http://www.turkeymill.com/conferences/location
The business is called ‘TURKEY MILL’ – after reading this blog it looks like that’s a very apt name !
Thanks for this. I’m always super skeptical about these kind of things, which is why I checked it out first. Glad I did. I get enough spam texts and emails as it is, without them being added to by these guys!A
Like many previous comments I have just had an email promising me a MacBook Air after 7 days testing I can keep …….. So obviously I’m gonna sign up straight away……… NOT. And having googled the company I too found this blog as the first on the results page so cheers Dave Like the idea of posting a PPI companies details though , get your own back LOL
Hi guys, only recently came across your site and have to say that I seem to have found a lively conversation to stumble upon. Surly the basic question to ask is why? That is why would companies want to give out items as well established such as iPhones and Mac Books. These are not new products to the market that require product testing or reviewing. I am sure that one or two “lucky” people will receive an item, to keep the site legal. But the truth I am sure is that this is just a company looking for contact details for 3rd parties to the follow up on for future sales. The purchasing of contact databases is expensive, far cheaper to give away the odd phone. This way they not only get cheap contact information, but they can also sell the information on as well.
This firm is not listed in the Company House database. This should immediately alert one to something being amiss.
Spamming is illegal and companies have been prosecuted. If you feel strongly about it, complain to the Information Commissioner’s office. If enough people do so, maybe action will be taken.
I am glad that I came across this blog. I was being offered £70 worth of free Sainsbury petrol and that immediately jumped out at me as being too good to be true. No established company will give things away like this to all and sundry.
I was perfectly right in deciding to carry out independent research.