ComplaintsforNORC

• Initial Complaint

  02/20/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I have been trying since 12/6/23 to gain access to my account in order to redeem $70 ******* Gift Card. I have sent several password reset requests, and the resets do not work. Attempted to login to portal, received message access denied. Talked with several representatives and was told in some instances issue resolved, other instances account referred to another level.

  

  Business response

  03/07/2024

  Thank you for passing along this request. NORC at the University of Chicago is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization that collaborates with government agencies, foundations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to conduct objective social science research.
  
  
  Review Involves:
  Refund Or Exchange Issues
  
  Customers Statement of the Problem:
  
  I have been trying since 12/6/23 to gain access to my account in order to redeem $70 ******* Gift Card. I have sent several password reset requests,and the resets do not work. Attempted to login to portal, received message access denied. Talked with several representatives and was told in some instances issue resolved, other instances account referred to another level.
  
  
  
  Anticipated Desired Settlement:
  Other (requires explanation)
  Ability to access account and reward $70.
  
  Background and details:
  Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Below are the results of our investigation and the actions AmeriSpeak has taken.
  
  12/20/23
  Panelist reached out to AmeriSpeak Support via email, reporting that they could not access their AmeriSpeak member portal account. ******************** Support advised the panelist to use the self-service password reset functionality on the member portal.
  
  1/2/2024
  AmeriSpeak Support contacted the panelist, who informed AmeriSpeak Support that the requested password reset emails had not been sent to their account. The panelist was asked to confirm the email address they entered into the self-service forgotten password form. This information was passed on to the AmeriSpeak IT Team for review.
  
  2/23/24
  Panelist informed the AmeriSpeak Support team that they entered a different email address (a gmail.com email address stored as an alternate email address in our database and not the email address currently connected to their member portal account when requesting a reset password email.
  
  Following standard operating procedures of similar self-service forgot password functionality,emails containing links to reset passwords can only be sent to the email address already connected to the account. This is to prevent bad actors from being able to change password on accounts not belonging to them. Since the panelist requested the reset password email be sent to a different email address, we cannot send the reset password email.
  
  2/23/24
  Per the panelists request, AmeriSpeak Support updated their main email address in the database to the alternate one provided (gmail.com). The panelist was again advised via email that they must use this email address when using the forgot password functionality on the member portal.
  
  2/24/24
  The panelist reported that the password reset email still had not been delivered to their gmail.com email address. This information was passed on to the AmeriSpeak IT team, who reported seeing no issues and recommended that the panelist double-check their Spam and Junk email folders as the email had been sent.
  
  2/27/24
  Upon request from AmeriSpeak Support, the AmeriSpeak IT team processed a manual password reset for the account, emailed the temporary password to the panelist, and advised the panelist to reset the password.
  
  
  Summary of steps taken by NORC:
  The panelists password was manually reset in the AmeriSpeak systems, and a temporary password was sent to the panelist on 2/27/2024.

  Customer response

  03/08/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  ****************************************************

• Initial Complaint

  02/06/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I am receiving unsolicited mailers to my address. Attached is an image of the mailer that is being sent to my address.

  

  Business response

  02/09/2024

  Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Below are the results of our investigation and the actions NORC has taken.
  
  The address was randomly selected from the donor lists of the *******************************, who maintain contact information on their donors. Donors to the ******************************* are aware that their contact information *** be shared with a third party.
  
  Summary of steps taken by NORC:
  
  We have honored the complainants request and have added their ID to a list of cases that wish to unsubscribe or otherwise be removed from the Miami-********************* Study.  This means that NORC will not be sending any additional mailings to the complainant regarding the Miami-********************* Study. We have deactivated their case in the survey to make sure no new communications are directed to this complainant with the exception of any mailings that *** have been prepared or sent prior to this withdrawal action. 

  Customer response

  02/09/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

• Initial Complaint

  01/29/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Submitted survey or $10.00 gift card on 02/02/23 for the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, **************************, Executive Director. Should arrive in 7 business days. Then notified on 3/6/23 it would be 3-5 weeks. 3/27/23 email to [email protected]/2/23, sent email again to ************************************ 12/4/23 received request for more information and I responded back on 12/4/23 at 04:20 pm EST. 1/10/24, called the ************ number on postcard and sent to an un-named voice mail box. No more responses or gift card.

  

  Business response

  02/09/2024

  Thank you for sharing this complaint with us. NORC at the University of Chicago is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization that collaborates with government agencies, foundations, educational institutions,nonprofit organizations, and businesses to conduct objective social science research.
  
  Customers Statement of the Problem:
  Submitted survey or $10.00 gift card on 02/02/23 for the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, **************************, Executive Director. Should arrive in 7 business days. Then notified on 3/6/23 it would be 3-5 weeks. 3/27/23 email to [email protected]/2/23, sent email again to ************************************ 12/4/23 received request for more information and I responded back on 12/4/23 at 04:20 pm EST. 1/10/24, called the ************ number on postcard and sent to an un-named voice mail box. No more responses or gift card.
  Desired Settlement: 
  Refund Or Exchange Issues
  Action Steps taken:
  NORC has reviewed the complaint and the desired settlement. NORC has identified the complainant as a participant in a research study that was administered by NORC at the University of Chicago in 2023. This complaint pertains to not having received a gift card that was offered as a thank-you for participating in the study.
  Our records show that the complainant completed the survey on February 3rd of 2023 and her reward was sent on February 6th, 2023. On March 30, 2023, we sent a new e-mail with a link to redeem this reward. Our records indicate the reward e-mail was viewed and the reward was claimed on March 31, 2023.  Nevertheless,we sincerely apologize for the frustration and appreciate that the complainant attempted to contact us about the issue. We have now issued a new, physical gift card for the complainant. It was mailed via *** to the respondents home address on February 8, ****.

  Customer response

  02/13/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely, 02/13/24 - The gift card was received today.JMC
  
  *********************************

• Initial Complaint

  06/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This survey company NORC has been told over and over to stop coming to our home and wont stop! Ive attached pictures of the individuals that stopped by, Total of six people which seems to boarder on harassment. I will contact the police as this seems highly unusual for this type of persistency! The last representation said the system didnt say I had a hard stop. I thought when I said Im not interested that should be enough.

  

  Business response

  06/15/2023

  Thank you for passing along this review. NORC at the University of Chicago is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization that collaborates with government agencies, foundations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to conduct objective social science research.
  
  Complaint Involves: Advertising Issues
  
  Customers Statement of the Problem:
  This survey company NORC has been told over and over to stop coming to our home and wont stop! Ive attached pictures of the individuals that stopped by,Total of six people which seems to boarder on harassment. I will contact the police as this seems highly unusual for this type of persistency! The last representation said the system didnt say I had a hard stop. I thought when I said Im not interested that should be enough.
  
  Desired Settlement: No further contact by the business
  
  Background and details: NORC has reviewed the complaint and worked toward a resolution.
  
  As a background, our field interviewer visited the home to follow-up on the mailings that NORC has previously sent to the home to invite the household to complete surveys for NORC. The purpose of the visit is to answer any questions that residents *** have and to offer help as needed. It is our standard practice to stop any outreach effort once the resident requested to be removed from the contact list.
  
  In a review of our contact records, we were able to find the below notes made by the interviewer, which at that time, indicated that no such request has been made until June 4th, 2023. No other visits were recorded after June 4th.
  
  4/26/2023-Visit to address. Spoke to the Ring doorbell showing badge and sign. Left informational materials and in-kind gift on door. No interaction with resident.
  5/4/2023-Visit to address. Had conversation with resident through the Ring doorbell. Resident had difficulties hearing, so interviewer left contact information.
  6/3/2023-Visit to address. Left message through the Ring doorbell and left informational materials.
  6/4/2023-Resident called to be removed from the list or will call the police. Resident actually chatted with the interviewer for 23 minutes. Interviewer coded the address as Refusal and not to be visited again.
  
  Summary of steps taken by NORC: We have honored the complainants request and have removed the complainant from the projects contact list starting on June 4th, 2023. The complainant will not receive future communication from the AmeriSpeak team, including house visitation, with the exception of any mailings that *** have been prepared or sent prior to this withdrawal action.

  Customer response

  06/16/2023

   
  Complaint: 20153733
  
  I am rejecting this response because: The 23 minute conversation was not the first over the phone interaction with NORC to request to be removed from the list.   I explained this for 23 minutes until I told the NORC representative I had to disconnect as she continued pushing and even offered gift cards and or possibly cash.  I have other ring videos of other representatives stopping by that were not supplied. In total at least 8 visits from this company. Seems excessive for any business thats above board.  I find this extremely worrisome as down right scary.  After two attempts the contact should cease! 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

• Initial Complaint

  05/29/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Nobody at this residence has ever signed up for a survey from Amerispeak. Yet the last three Sunday evenings between 6:30pm to 8pm representatives from NORC Amerispeak have willfully ignored a clearly legible trilingual "No Trespassing" sign posted directly at the entrance of my private driveway. They then proceeded to trespass another half mile to the homesite to actively engage in unwanted solicitation. Remove myself and any other person at this residence from any and all formats of communication. Under no circumstances does your company or its agents have permission to enter and/or loiter on my private property.

  

  Business response

  06/02/2023

  Thank you for passing along this review. NORC at the University of Chicago is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization that collaborates with government agencies, foundations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to conduct objective social science research.
  
  Reviewer Involves: Outreach Disputes.
  
  Customers Statement of the Problem:
  Nobody at this residence has ever signed up for a survey from Amerispeak. Yet the last three Sunday evenings between 6:30pm to 8pm representatives from NORC Amerispeak have willfully ignored a clearly legible trilingual "No Trespassing" sign posted directly at the entrance of my private driveway. They then proceeded to trespass another half mile to the homesite to actively engage in unwanted solicitation. Remove myself and any other person at this residence from any and all formats of communication. Under no circumstances does your company or its agents have permission to enter and/or loiter on my private property.
  
  Desired Settlement: No further contact by the business
  
  Background and details: NORC has reviewed the complaint and worked toward a resolution.
  
  As a background, our field interviewer visited the home to follow-up on the mailings that NORC has previously sent to the home to invite the household to complete surveys for NORC. The purpose of the visit is to answer any questions that residents *** have and to offer help as needed. It is our standard practice to stop any outreach effort once the resident requested to be removed from the contact list.
  
  In a review of our contact records, we were able to find the below notes made by the interviewer, which at that time, indicated that no such request has been made.
  
  5/6/2023-Visit to address. Left informational materials on door with contact information. No interaction with resident.
  5/28/23-Visit to address, left informational materials. No interaction with resident.
  
  Summary of steps taken by NORC:
  We have honored the complainants request and have removed the complainant from the projects contact list. The complainant will not receive future communication from the AmeriSpeak team, including house visitation, with the exception of any mailings that *** have been prepared or sent prior to this withdrawal action.

• Initial Complaint

  01/28/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  What part of "I do not want to participate in your survery" do they not understand? Thought I finally got rid of them until a gentleman (I'm using that term loosely) barged his way into my grarage, after I told him I wasn't interested. Wearing a n95 mask ( mind you it's January 2023 now) after I told him no numerous times he got angry and raised his voice at me. He told me I was randomly selected, and that he couldn't randomly selected someone else. I said "I randomly don't give a s*** get off my property!"He walks halfway into my *********'m not a little guy but this guy is at least 6'3" and 300 pounds. Like a pushy salesman he tries to insert himself in. How the h*** do you just walk into someone's home? This is ******* and we have the right to stand out ground.Leave me the h*** alone!!!!

  

  Business response

  02/02/2023

  Thank you for passing along this complaint. NORC at the University of Chicago is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization that collaborates with government agencies, foundations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to conduct objective social science research.
  

  Customers Statement of the Problem:
  What part of "I do not want to participate in your survery" do they not understand? Thought I finally got rid of them until a gentleman (I'm using that term loosely) barged his way into my grarage, after I told him I wasn't interested. Wearing a n95 mask ( mind you it's January 2023 now) after I told him no numerous times he got angry and raised his voice at me. He told me I was randomly selected, and that he couldn't randomly selected someone else. I said "I randomly don't give a s*** get off my property!"He walks halfway into my *********'m not a little guy but this guy is at least 6'3" and 300 pounds. Like a pushy salesman he tries to insert himself in. How the h*** do you just walk into someone's home? This is ******* and we have the right to stand out ground.Leave me the h*** alone!!!!
  

  Desired Settlement:
  No further contact by the business
  

  Action Steps taken:
  We have reviewed the complaint submitted. We were able to identify the survey the complainant had been contacted about. We would like to confirm that this is a legitimate, federally funded survey and is ultimately conducted for the betterment of society. All data-gathering procedures are consistent with the scientific literature on survey research and best practices in social science data collection.
  Trained NORC interviewers interacted with this household on five separate occasions. In the first visit, a household member indicated that he was interested in the survey and the interviewer left materials for the household to review.  During subsequent interactions the household indicated they were busy and then ultimately decided they were not interested in participating.  The case was finalized on January 30, 2022.  No additional contacts will be made to this household on behalf of this project.

  Customer response

  02/03/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  01/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I started doing surveys for Amerispeak maybe 6 to 7 years ago. I needed the extra cash at the time and was very happy to get it. They followed through with their end and there were no problems. Then, maybe 4 years ago, life changed and I didn't have time to do the surveys anymore. I wasn't interested in continuing and when I got a phone call from Amerispeak asking me to complete another survey, I asked them very nicely to take me off the list. Initially, they said they'd remove me and I thought that was that! But nope! That was not the end. Not even close! They started to call me. Almost every single day. I'm almost positive I blocked them a couple times, but they'd just call from a slightly different number instead! Nobody else's from Chicago calls me, just Amerispeak, so I always knew it was them. I've just accepted it, to be honest. I see a call from Chicago and I either hang up or I let them leave a message that I won't listen to. For years this has been happening. They will probably never stop! I must have felt hopeful the other day, however, and when I saw they were calling again, I answered. I put on my most professional voice and I asked them very nicely to STOP CALLING ME and guess what?! They hung up on me!!! They are still calling and I have a brand new message from them in my inbox. Do not, under any circumstances, give these people your number because they will NEVER leave you alone!!!!

  

  Business response

  01/20/2023

  Thank you for passing along this review. NORC at the University of Chicago is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization that collaborates with government agencies, foundations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to conduct objective social science research.
  
  
  Reviewer ********************* issues.
  
  Customers Statement of the Problem:
  I started doing surveys for AmeriSpeak ***be 6 to 7 years ago. I needed the extra cash at the time and was very happy to get it. They followed through with their end and there were no problems. Then, ***be 4 years ago, life changed and I didn't have time to do the surveys anymore. I wasn't interested in continuing and when I got a phone call from AmeriSpeak asking me to complete another survey, I asked them very nicely to take me off the list. Initially, they said they'd remove me and I thought that was that! But nope! That was not the end. Not even close! They started to call me. Almost every single day. I'm almost positive I blocked them a couple times, but they'd just call from a slightly different number instead! Nobody else's from Chicago calls me, just AmeriSpeak,so I always knew it was them. I've just accepted it, to be honest. I see a call from Chicago and I either hang up or I let them leave a message that I won't listen to. For years this has been happening. They will probably never stop! I must have felt hopeful the other day, however, and when I saw they were calling again, I answered. I put on my most professional voice and I asked them very nicely to STOP CALLING ME and guess what?! They hung up on me!!! They are still calling and I have a brand new message from them in my inbox. Do not, under any circumstances, give these people your number because they will NEVER leave you alone!!!!
  
  Background and details:
  NORC has reviewed the complaint and worked toward a resolution. As a background, listed below is our record of contact with the complainant and action steps taken.
  
  In a review of our contact records, we were not able to find any examples of the complainant contacting us by phone call, voicemail, or email to withdraw from the AmeriSpeak Panel. On the contrary, our records show interactions with the complainant indicating the complainants enthusiasm with AmeriSpeak and willingness to complete surveys.
  
  For example, in an email sent on 5/18/2020, the complainant requested that we contact them with more surveys, writing I love Amerispeak. Keep sending the surveys!More recently, on 9/2/2022 and 9/9/2022, the complainant interacted with interviewers over the phone to complete two more surveys.
  
  Although our surveys can be completed online, the complainant has indicated that the preferred method of contact is phone.
  
  However,pursuant to the complainants wish as stated in this review, we have withdrawn the complainant from AmeriSpeak as of January 19th, 2023. Please note that the complainant currently has a $5 credit balance for completing past surveys. A check can be sent to complainant as soon as the complainant confirms their mailing address. The complainant can contact AmeriSpeak via email at ********************************** or by calling ************** to confirm the address. Contacting AmeriSpeak will not reverse their withdrawn status from AmeriSpeak.
  
  We thank the complainant for completing AmeriSpeak surveys and voicing their opinions on a variety of issues impacting Americans.
  
  Summary of steps taken by NORC:
  We have honored the claimants request and have completed the process of removing the complainant from AmeriSpeak. The complainant will not receive future contacts from NORC or AmeriSpeak, with the exception of any mailings that *** have been prepared or sent prior to this withdrawal action.

  Customer response

  01/23/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************************

• Initial Complaint

  12/16/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I asked to be removed from their list in 2021. I know this, because I also worked for them after losing my career in covid, and they were a terrible employer. They kept contacting me with obviously irrelevant employee related content after I quit, I asked to be removed from ALL their lists then and when I received a survey call ... and again in Dec 2022 I received ANOTHER call from the *** for their survey. When I called back? NORC again. This is illegal. They need to stop. They should be fined. I'm complaining as a citizen receiving calls from a number I specifically asked to be removed from, but what's worse is how they treat their employees. They wasted our time in many hours or training at a basic level, then treated me badly when I had intelligent questions working from home remotely on my very first day.

  

  Business response

  12/23/2022

  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to respond to this complaint. NORC at the University of Chicago is an independent 501(c)3,not-for-profit research organization that collaborates with government agencies, foundations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to conduct objective social science research. We have been conducting research in the public interest since **** and we are always trying to improve our operations so thank you for reaching out to us.
  
  We have reviewed the complaint submitted. We were able to identify the survey the complainant had been contacted about. We would like to confirm that this is a legitimate, federally funded survey and is ultimately conducted for the betterment of society. All data-gathering procedures are consistent with the scientific literature on survey research and best practices in social science data collection.

  We are sorry this person had such an unfortunate experience with NORC. The phone numbers called for the survey, the National Immunization Survey, are not cross referenced against existing or previous employee records. The project team was unaware of the request not to be contacted by NORC for any purpose.  We have removed the phone number from the project sample and confirm that we have made sure this person will not be contacted again by NORC.

  Customer response

  12/27/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. If they do it again, they should be fined like a business would
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

• Initial Complaint

  12/15/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company sent me a ***** document stating they wanted to ask me questions in return for some gift card. A few days later they showed up at my home banging on the door flashing her Norco badge into my door camera. My husband answer and told her nicely we would not be interested. She asked to talk to me and he told her I was in the bath. She told him very rudely and pushy that she would be back. A few days later I see she was back but I ignored the door as my husband was not home. My son was riding his bike and she cornered him when he was coming home. Later that night I called and complained and said to LEAVE us alone! But nope they wont stop calling now! This is insane and is harassment. I am also filling out a police report about this. These people need to understand NO means NO! Leave us alone means YOU ARE NOT welcome to come over or call! I will say it again tell your employees to loose my number and address and never contact us again!

  

  Business response

  12/21/2022

  
  Action Steps taken:
  We have reviewed the complaint submitted. We were able to identify the survey the complainant had been contacted about. We would like to confirm that this is a legitimate, federally funded survey and is ultimately conducted for the betterment of society. All data-gathering procedures are consistent with the scientific literature on survey research and best practices in social science data collection.

  
  Trained NORC interviewers made in person contact with the household on two separate occasions. In the first visit, a household member indicated that he was willing to participate but that his wife was not interested.  The interviewer made an appointment to revisit at a time both the husband and wife would be home.  The interviewer arrived at the appointed time but the respondents were not home. The interviewer left a card for the respondents to get in contact to complete the interview. After this visit a call was received from one of the respondents on our toll-free line asking us to not visit again.  The case was finalized on December 13, 2022 and no additional contact was made with this household.  The complaint with the Better Business Bureau was made three days later.  

  Customer response

  12/22/2022

  Complaint: 18596535
  
  I am rejecting this response because it is partly inaccurate. My husband was bullied by this interviewer the first time. He said no that he wasnt interested and she said she needed to ask me.  She would not accept no for an answer that day from him.  At that point I didnt know who you were and have never heard of your company. I went onto BBB website to learn- which I did learn enough to know that I was not interested either. That is when I called that ************************************************************************** the gift cards and to not contact us anymore. Communication should have stopped right there. 
  What went wrong in all of this was that this interviewers behavior that first day was off. She shouldnt have been so pushy like she was. She needed to be respectful when someone tells her that they are not interested. On the second time she should not have approached my son like she did. She is a stranger to him and that was very scary. Look at that through *************. A stranger approaches you and asks you where your mom is then gives him a letter/ That was scary for him. That was her second mistake she made. Then her third mistake made was what you didnt share above in your response back. Maybe you really didnt know about this. After my call saying to stop contacting us (few days later), this interviewer called again and left a voicemail. She said how is she supposed to talk to us if we never answer the **** phone. Swearing was her words not mine. Maybe she was calling to apologize and was angry I didnt answer or maybe not. Clearly though she either didnt get the message to stop all communication or she simply didnt care to listen and called anyways or I sure hope she called to apologize. 
  After this voicemail is when I filed a BBB. 
  
  
  To sum it all up here as I said before we are not interested at this time. Its Christmas time and we have a lot going on. I dont have time to deal with this right now. 
  Maybe in the future we will consider it but that will be if and when we have time to do so. Right now no. If and when we do want to participate we will call the 800 number. For now please take us off all lists with ya all. Please let that interviewer know to not call anymore please. 
  I am not looking for anything from this complaint other than simply agreeing not to call/text, email, send anything in the mail or come to our home. 
  Thanks!
  

  

  Business response

  01/05/2023

  As previously stated in our response, this case was finalized on December 13, 2022 and no additional contact was made with this household, nor will it in the future.

• Initial Complaint

  12/05/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I received a letter via ***** back in July 2022 regarding taking a NORC survey. I wasnt interested in doing this so I threw the letter away. A very pushy NORC interviewer showed up at my door in August (on a Saturday) trying to pressure me into doing an interview right then. I had family visiting from out of town (he saw the car in my driveway with the out of state plates) and told him (nicely but firmly) I wasnt interested in doing a survey then or ever. I thought that would be the end of it. This man has come to my house on at least 4 more occasions. I did not answer my door each time, but he did catch me outside one of those times. I told him AGAIN that I wasnt going to give him an interview and to just go away (again firmly). I really thought that was it until yesterday (Sunday) when he showed up again, this time leaving a note promising me $250 to do the interview. In my opinion I find him rude, aggressive and borderline harassing. His name is *****************************. I dont want him on my property again, and I will contact the police department if he returns.

  

  Business response

  12/12/2022

  I received a letter via ***** back in July 2022 regarding taking a NORC survey. I wasnt interested in doing this so I threw the letter away. A very pushy NORC interviewer showed up at my door in August (on a Saturday) trying to pressure me into doing an interview right then. I had family visiting from out of town (he saw the car in my driveway with the out of state plates) and told him (nicely but firmly) I wasnt interested in doing a survey then or ever. I thought that would be the end of it. This man has come to my house on at least 4 more occasions. I did not answer my door each time, but he did catch me outside one of those times. I told him AGAIN that I wasnt going to give him an interview and to just go away (again firmly). I really thought that was it until yesterday (Sunday) when he showed up again, this time leaving a note promising me $250 to do the interview. In my opinion I find him rude, aggressive and borderline harassing.His name is ____ I dont want him on my property again, and I will contact the police department if he returns.
  

  Business Response
  

  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to respond to this complaint. NORC at the University of Chicago is an independent 501(c)3, not-for-profit research organization that collaborates with government agencies, foundations, educational institutions,nonprofit organizations, and businesses to conduct objective social science research. We have been conducting research in the public interest since **** and we are always trying to improve our operations so thank you for reaching out to us.
  
  We have reviewed the complaint submitted. We were able to identify the survey the complainant had been contacted about. We would like to confirm that this is a legitimate, federally funded survey and is ultimately conducted for the betterment of society. All data-gathering procedures are consistent with the scientific literature on survey research and best practices in social science data collection.
  
  A trained NORC interviewer made in person visits with the household on a few occasions. Upon initial contact a household member indicated she was not aware of the study and accepted print materials about the study. Follow-up on initial contact was made according to scientific best practices and standard non-response protocol. The household address in the referenced survey was scientifically selected and cannot be replaced. However, participation is and has always been voluntary. To that end, NORC has already placed a block on this address and will not contact them again about their participation in this survey.
  
  We do appreciate that the complainant did express their concerns with NORC staff, and contacted the Better Business Bureau with the intention of assuring that her requests were escalated. We hope that we have adequately addressed all the concerns expressed by the complainant.

  Customer response

  12/15/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

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