17 June 2008

The "Does Wegmans Rule?" Experiment


So, here's the thing.

Sean's Ramblings and Lacochran's Bloggery are teaming up for an experiment. And we need a few volunteers. This involves no mandatory pill popping or small cups of bodily fluids. Where we are particularly interested in getting info from the DC metro area, we will take input from all over the country or, what the heck, the world (as long as you figure out the drachma to dollar conversions, or whatever.)

Just the FAQs:

Q: What is this?

A: We're asking for volunteers (read: you) to take a simple checklist, that we will provide you, to a store, fill it out, and then send it to us at lacochran(at)hotmail.com and seanramblings(at)yahoo.com. You do not need to buy the very short list of items, just price them (pre-tax) and answer a few other non-personal questions.

Q: Why?

A: We were bored?

It's either a very scientific way to see how the glossy new Wegmans stacks up against the existing chains or it's a chance to flex your creative muscles in the short answer part of the form. Or both.

Q: What's in it for me?

A: By joining in the experiment you will get a free badge that reads: "I'm a super secret blog experiment shopper. Give me free stuff!" If you wear it (wearing it is optional), all kinds of free stuff might or might not come your way.

Q: How do I get included in this elite group?

A: Send an e-mail to either seanramblings(at)yahoo.com or lacochran(at)hotmail.com or both saying you want in. We'll send you the easy-peasy, one-page checklist (that you can print out multiple times for multiple stores) and your cool badge, which you can print, trim, and tape onto your Dukakis for president button. Hey, you weren't doing anything with it anyway. If you know what store you will likely be doing your secret shopper dealy at, let us know that, too.

Q: When do I start?

A: My, you are the eager beaver. Settle down there, Sport. There's no extra credit for enthusiasm but we do like your spunk. Wait, no bodily fluids in this experiment. Never mind. You can start once you receive your checklist and badge. Send your results to lacochran(at)hotmail.com and seanramblings(at)yahoo.com (if you send it to both of us you have a much better shot of at least one of us not losing it) no later than June 30, 2008.

Q: When will we see the results?

A: Sean and LA will pore over every tabulation and hanging chad until we have a definitive answer or we've had enough. Then we'll post the results. Also, particularly clever answers will be featured on one or both blogs.

Q: What else do I need to know?

A: Don't eat yellow snow.

10 comments:

GreenCanary said...

I like this experiment... I'm not 100% certain I understand what you're testing, but anything in which you get a badge is A-OK in my book.

Rahul said...

Ah Wegmans. the memories.

Being kicked out.
stealing candy.
taking control of the sound system and switching john Tesh to country music.
racing each other in the motorized carts.

Those were the days.

Kristin said...

I've never been to Wegmans. Do I qualify as an objective participant?

Anonymous said...

Oh, this sounds like fun!

What I enjoy about shopping in the District is noting what's on the shelves based on the demographics of the neighborhood I'm in. Near me, it's mostly older, black neighbors. Down near Columbia Heights, there are a ton of Hispanics. Down on P Street, it's the Will & Grace and Friends sets. Out in the 'burbs, it's mostly white folk. And believe me, some things are harder/easier to find in one store versus another.

Okay, I'm gonna email you so you can sign me up for this little experiment. I'm all about the badges, you know!

AbbotOfUnreason said...

Oooo ooo, I want a badge. Can I have one for my blog, too?

So, why not just put up the list here? Can I blog about it?

lacochran said...

Green Canary: I wish the budget allowed us to provide clipboards and visors, too. Maybe next year.

rs27: You rascal, you. Or was that what you were racing?

Kristin: Absolutely! You don't ever have to go to a Wegmans unless you choose to. We're looking for comparisons so you can go to a Piggly Wiggly or Joe's Corner Market or whatever. Sean and I will fill in the gaps as needed.

J.M. Tewkesbury: Excellent!

AbbotOfUnreason: As with everlasting gobstoppers: Everybody gets one and one is enough for anybody. We could put up the list right here but we want your email so we can sell it to various institutions. Did I write that or just think that?? Anyhoo... Of course you can blog about ANY old thing, even this!

Capitol Hill 20210 said...

ohh I wanna do this

lacochran said...

Capitol Hill 20210: Amazingly, there are still slots available! Get moving!

Anonymous said...

I wanna do it! I love grovery shopping and proce comparison. I once took a notebook around to Wegmans, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, and Harris Teeter and wrote a price matric of all my fave products. Wegmans won at the time. But I will play again. Is my comment here sufficient for signing me up?

lacochran said...

charlotteharris: Wow, you did the whole experiment yourself! Shoot us an email and we'll send you the official checksheet and badge. :)