Staywell Research does clinical trials. They advertise to the public to participate in the clinical trials and they pay you for your participation. The problem is, when it's time to be paid, they don't. Look on Yelp and you will see countless clinical trial participants who did a study at Stay well and didn't get paid. When you try to get your money they either don't answer the phone, don't answer e-mails, don't return messages. They hide. If you do ever get someone on the phone - they lie to you all the time coming up with excuse after excuse about why your check is late. If you do ever get paid after countless calls and many many many months of trying ... the check will probably bounce. It has happened to me twice! There is only one person who can pay you and that is the financial head of Staywell Research and his name is Alain Giraud. He has taken your money and used it for whatever he wants and when it is time to pay you the money is no where to be found. He already spend it! And there is no money in the bank to cover it. He tells the liars what to say and he knowingly hands out bad checks. He has done a good job hiding his name. He is from france and is in Manila most of the time hiding from you. If you use his name - Alain Giraud - you will have a better chance that they will pay you. Alain Giraud has your money.
I am filing a complaint to the medical research company, Staywell Research and it's parent company Medicus Research company, as of this date, Medicus who lost their lease and was eviction from their Agoura Hills, which is 28720 Roadside Drive Suite 310.
This company is a parasite in the medical research companies, as of this date, 8,April, 2015 I have not been compensated for my involvement for a medical trial study that occured between the months of October 2014 and January 2014, during this time period I was asked to download a application that was supplied by Staywell, during the day I was asked to photographed my weight on a digital weight scale,photograph the medical trial medicine by injecting with a syringe that was supplied by Staywell that was sent vis Federal Express Ground, into a glass of water and then video myself drinking the water, followed up by photograph all my meals, breakfast,luncj and dinner and then to follow up a diary questionaire.
In the middle of the Jan 2015, my study ended and I recived a phone call from Staywell asking me questions about my health and that I was promised that I will recieve shortly a package that I can send back the medical bottles and the syringe.
Three weeks later, I recieve another call from Staywell and was informed that my study is now ended and that byu going to a Staywell based site, I can apply for my compensation, for this I was promised $400.00 during the phone call, I wsss told that I haven't recieve the package to send the medicine back, I was told that I need to do is to take the orginal package to any Federal Express place and they will send the package back.
The next day I went to my local Fed Exp/Kinko's store and was told that Fed Express will not accept the package for Staywell has been negelcting to pay Federal Express, in short, Staywell hasn't paid Federal Express.
The followiing weeks has been trying to find ways to collect my compensation, to my delight, I found a group on Facebook who are also been waiting to collect their compensation.
We have attempted in going to the offices in Northridge and ask where our compensation are and when will we be recieve our payment.
This compnay has dodged even the most simplest questions and requests,and yet as we are waiting for our payments there ate many others who have been induced by the various trial studies to go and start their trial studies, little that they know that at the end of the study is just the start of waiting to be paid.
If anyone who reads this and has ideas on how we can get this company shut down, the doctor is charge to lose his licenses and everyone involved in the studies to be compensated.
Medicus Research aka Staywell Research doesn't honor their promises to pay participants! Very dishonest company. Medicus Research aka Staywell Research contacted me to participate in a medical study, in which I'd receive $400. I did so, and they fail to pay up. I completed the study and met their terms. As of December 2014 I had completed the study and asked for payment. Since then, they have been evasive, returned none of my 25+ calls asking for the whereabouts of my payment. The only reason I participated was because they promised to pay. They have not owned up to their promises. Very, very dishonest people; there are tons of Yelp reviews from people who have been ripped off like I have. This disreputable company should be investigated and/or shut down.
I was referred to Staywell Research by a friend. He was going to participate in a joint pain research study and asked me if I would like to participate as well. I agreed to participate and he would receive $25.00 for referring me. We signed up together, scheduled our appointments together and we both completed the study. We were told that we would receive our compensation by mail within 60 days. My Stipend Payment Log / Request for compensation was approved, dated, signed and submitted on 10/10/2014. As of today's date, I have not received my compensation, nor have I received any returned calls from the emails or messages I have sent requesting the compensation I had earned. This is absolutely ridiculous, unfair and very frustrating. I now see that I am not alone in this unfortunate situation after reading the horror stories that numerous people have published. I just hope Staywell Research / Medicus Research will realize their wrong doing is hurting their participants and finally make good on their promises. The participation in their study was enjoyable, however the resentments their shady compensation department causes quickly over-shadows everything!
It has been 16 months since Staywell Research promise to pay me $1,000 for Medical Research. Stay away from this company they promise to pay you more the second time to delay lawsuit in hopes that statue of limitations runs out and then they rip you off again. Why they havent shut them down is ther probably paying somebody on the inside. Go to another reasearch Facility there sociopaths go to another company.
I am contacting you in regarding Staywell Research aka Medicus Research
failure to compensate me for the participation and completion of Shakeology study named BODY1800
I entered into a contract on the date of 04/08/2014 with Staywell Research also Known as Medicus Research. I participated in they're Shakeology study named -BODY1800. I completed the full study 08/01/2014 and submitted my application for compensation.
The Contract states that they are obligated to pay me within 25 business days of the study completion date, in the amount of $1,100. Despite numerous phone calls complaints and emails, Staywell Research has failed to pay me.
I am reaching out to expose to you the way this company is running their business. Many Participants have to fight for the compensation they were promised. The company continues to write bad checks.
A number of participants have waited six months or longer to receive compensation from the company, and many are still waiting. The company sometimes asks a participants to accept a payment plan spread out five payments over a span of three months. When the consumer refuses the payment plan, Staywell informs them participants that agree to it will receive preferential treatment and their partial checks are processed first.
In addition many Participants have reported that they are given the runaround and are unable to receive firm confirmation that check has been sent. Unfortunately, some who have received checks fare no better since they are unable to cash Staywell’s compensation checks due to the company’s lack of funds. This creates an additional financial burden to participants when they incur bank fees due to Staywell’s insufficient funds.
Although Staywell’s Research Compensation website states, “The issuing of stipends within the agreed upon timeframe is an important part of our operations and professional reputation”, they are not living up to their agreement.
I have included a link to the Yelp Page so you can see it for yourself. yelp.com/biz/staywell-research-northridge
I created a Facebook page to Warn other or Staywells Research Unethical Practices and the Group Continues to Grow By Day.
Group Name : Staywell Research Ripped Me Off
facebook.com/groups/1606834922872578/
In the contract it states the the following ("IRB i a group of of individuals who perform the the initial and ongoing ethical review of the research study with the subjects rights and welfare in mind'') I know of many participants sending in complaints of non payment. How is this Ethical or Having our rights or our welfare in mind? How are so many of us not getting paid? Business Consumer Alliance has received over 100 complaints about Staywell Research AKA Medicus Research. There are complaints against them with numerous agencies.
In received a phone call over a year ago asking if Id like to participate in a study. They promised that I would receive a $500 payment for my time and a $500 bonus for completing the study program at Staywell Research. I said yes and was asked to show up to the Staywell research Dept. in Northridge that following Saturday.
That first day, I spent 3 hours in the waiting room and another 2 hours with the study JUST to see if I was even a good fit. They finally said YES I was a good fit and explained the process and the future payments I was to receive and I was to complete a daily food journal/ a weekly questionaire and numerous visits throughout the next 5-6 months.
As I left that day....on my way out.... The RED FLAG should have been this genlteman yelling and screaming at the ladies at the front desk about not receiving his payment. But I shrugged it off thinking it must just be a freak thing/accident.
So I continued and I did my part and really took this study serious. I drove 45 min there and back-each visit, I put this wierd powdery substance on ALL my food, I kept a daily journal, and never missed an appt. and I completed the program and I have still not been paid. I completed the program in May and its been going on 8 months and I have recieved numerous aplogies and false promises of payments to come and yet I have still received NOTHING!!!
I went there a week and a half ago to complain as I could not get through on the phone to the compensation dept., because their voice mails are always full and/or the line is busy. As I walked in the ladies at Staywell were very helpful and immidiatley got Robert from the compensation dept. to give me a call and thats when he promised me a check on Monday 12/22/14 for $500 AND ANOTHER $500 CHECK ON mONDAY 12/29/14 and HE ALSO PROMISED a phone call with a tracking number for me....Its been almost a week and he still hasnt called me and his line is always busy AGAIN.
Im am so frusterated and confused and just dont understand how they can do this to people. Please help! Its just not fair.
I SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH STAYWELL RESEARCH IN WHICH I AGREED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY "THE EFFECTS OF ANKASCIN 568 PLUS+ ON LIPIDS", GOING 5 TIMES TO THE CLINIC, HAVING BLOOD DRAWS, KEEPING DIARIES, ETC. I DID EVERYTHING THEY ASKED WHEN ASKED IT.
THEY AGREED TO PAY ME IN COMPENSATION $750 25 DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE STUDY.
THE STUDY WAS COMPLETED ON 05/22/2014.
TODAY IS 12/11/2014 AND I'M STILL WAITING FOR MY COMPENSATION.
THEY DON'T ANSWER MY CALLS, THEY DON'T CALL BACK AND THE DON'T PAY.
AFTER I WENT TO THE CLINIC FOR THE SECOND TIME TO ASK FOR MY COMPENSATION AND WAITED 2 HOURS, AND SINCE THE STAFF CLINIC WAS WHO CALLED THEM, TODAY THEY FINALLY CALLED MY BACK JUST TO TELL ME THAT THEY WON'T PAY ME AS THEY PROMISED. INSTEAD THEY WILL BREAK MY COMPENSATION SENDING 5 CHECKS, ONE EVERY OTHER FRIDAY, AND THAT IS EITHER THAT OR I CAN KEEP WAITING AND THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE FOR HOW MUCH LONGER.
THAT WAS OFFENSIVE AND AN ABUSE.
I'VE WAITED FOR ALMOST 7 MONTHS AND THEY WANT ME TO WAIT MORE (MORE THAN 2 MONTHS).
STAYWELL DOESN'T HAVE THE MINIMUM RESPECT OR PROFESSIONALISM.
I THINK IT'S JUST FAIR TO GET PAID FOR WHAT WE AGREED IN A CONTRACT, SINCE THEY WERE PAID ALREADY FROM THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY.
Word of caution to any individual entering a study with Staywell Research! I completed a study with this agency over one year ago and have not been compensated for it. The contract the agency has people sign, clearly states that compensation takes between 60 to 75 days to be sent after the study is completed. I am appalled by the fact that there are agencies such as Staywell Research, who claim to have high standards in the studies they perform. I completed a vitamin study in November of 2013 and still waiting for compensation. It is clear that this agency lacks ethical compliance with individuals with compensation. The fact that Staywell Research steals from its subjects shows directly that they are not worthy of trust and I highly recommend anybody to not participate in their studies due to their unethical practices.
I have contacted Staywell Research repeatedly, and each time I was sent to a voicemail stating someone would return my call in 48 hours. They never returned calls. I went to the actual agency in Northridge and was told by the receptionist that they cannot do anything about it. One week later, the receptionist called me with a routing number for a check that I never received. I called customer service because there is no answer at the "compensation department" ever. Customer service claimed to have a compensation department representative call me back. Someone did call back to bribe me into agreeing to receive my compensation under a new payment plan. When I declined the offer, this person stated that they woud pay me an additional $100.00. When I declined and said I wanted nothing to do with this agency, and that I only want my compensation fully paid as agreed with the contract, she said that they would increase the incentive to $200.00 I told her to please stop offering me any extra money and that I just wanted the original, paid in full amount. She stated that they would send it in two weeks. It has been two months since that conversation and I still have not received my compensation.
This agency is by far engaging in extremely unethical practices. I strongly recommend that people Do Not become part of their extremely unfair practices. You will not be compensated. I am still waiting for my compensation, but I will make anything in my capacity to expose Staywell Research breach of contract!
I was in the process of signing up with this company for one of their research study programs and while doing my homework I found a rating report through Business Consumer Alliance, check for yourself!
In March/2013 I became a study participant in a weight loss study. I sucessfully completed the study on Mar. 8th 2014. Not paid as per written agreement. As of 10/5th/2014 I have not been paid. They sent a Non-Sufficient Funds check on 10/1. I called the Issuing bank before depositing.
Funds would not be available till 10/10, if the funds are not there on that date. I will be contacting the District Attorney's office, since it becomes a prosecutable crime issuing bum checks...I've already posted on Google, Facebook, BBB, Consumer Business Alliance, LA Dept of Consumer Affairs. I will see it to it's conclusion.
It wasn’t all that long ago that I saw a blog post on the internet, giving instructions to whomever reads it, directions in the development of what is called “multiple streams of income”. There are many suggestions for those who are struggling financially and looking to get some assistance. One of those suggestions is to engage yourself in a medical research trial. This kind of trial requires one to take a certain drug and or other type of pill, and perhaps some other form of trial application, and then after a hand full of months there is a compensation paid for the patient’s time and effort. One of these companies is named: Staywell Research.
I decided I would test this idea out, as one of several I will be reviewing over the next year, and I joined a trial. The ad for this trial on the local Craigslist stated that the trial would consist of a six month period with a “diet pill” test which would pay $500.00 with a $500.00 bonus if the person was still participating at the end of the trial. This would, of course, result in a $1,000.00 pay day for those involved. It’s important to note at this point that the ad makes mention of the total amount to be payed when the client is still present at the end of the tial. (Get your Orwell earphones working!)
In March of this year I joined the trial and was given a bottle of green pills which may or may not have been the real thing. The point, so I was told, was to use placebo pills in the tests to find out the ultimate result of whether or not the medical benefits actually worked. For myself, this had to do with weight loss. The pills themselves were actually appetite suppressants which were to be taken a half an hour before eating in order to discover the effects on my personal weight over the six months during usage.
I was also given several diaries and charts to keep a record going of daily activities, these included what I had eaten each day, how much I had walked, walking everyday being the method of approved exercise in this case, and other things like my daily weight and such. I was also given a thing called “Fitbit” which records your every movement during the day and reports that to a website where one can also record the daily intake of food, water, and watch the number of steps that I took each day. I really like Fitbit, and I would highly recommend it for anyone interested in tracking themselves on a daily basis. I know there have been complaints in the news about people gaining weight with this thing, but I believe you have to get past the initial temptation to eat more than you should, because Fitbit makes you think about it a lot more than usual. Once I got past that, I was fine.
One is also required to make several visits to the offices and also to speak with a nutritionist on the phone about your progress during the study. There is a lot to do, and if done correctly, then one should be paid for their time and effort. Therefore, I spent a good three months of the trial giving the system a good work out. I tracked all of my water intake, changed the food listing for my daily intake, walked everyday, took the pills, filled out the paperwork and also made the five mile trip to have my measurements taken and my weight recorded. Amazingly, the trial worked! The appetite suppressant was very effective and combined with the huge amount of water I had to drink and all the walking I had to do, I lost almost 30 pounds. I sit here today typing, six weeks later and the weight has not come back. Did I drink and walk the weight off? Hmmmm, could be.
During one of these visits, I saw a man come into the office and try to get his compensation, he had been given the run around several times over the phone and had never received anything. A manager then met with him and when he left, he still had nothing. I kept this event in mind the entire time I continued.
At the end of three months, I was told that the trial was over, and I was required to return Fitbit and my daily logs and the pills to the research center. I was also told that I would NOT be paid the money they owed me. I made an appointment with one of the managers to discuss the problem since it was not myself who had failed to complete the trial or had quit ahead of time. My position is that if the company says that at the end of the trial I am still on the project, then at that time, I will be compensated. Unfortunately, they play games with the definition of when things come to an end, and stick to the original ending date, which would have been some time in August, even if they, themselves, call an end to things. This is crapola of the highest degree.
I was told that because they had “over booked” the trial, they would have to let some of the participants go early and they would only be compensated for the visits they had completed. I had done five visits, but they insisted it was only four. It was not. I was only to receive $160 dollars instead of the $1,000.00 that the “bait and switch” style advertising had promised. No amount of the 45 minutes or so I spent arguing the case with the manager made any difference at all. According to him, they were continuing with the other people in the study and would not continue with me, which is odd, because I was actually making the thing work. Seems you “over book” because you expect a good number of people to do the study incorrectly or perhaps quit prematurely. So, therefore, you need me in the study in case that sort of thing still happens before the ending deadline.
Regardless, the arrangement is for a certain amount to be paid at the end of the study no matter who ends it. If I quit ahead of time, then I can understand their position, I did not complete the study and therefore, I am not present at the end of it. However, if I am told the company is ending the study, then the study ends NOW, and I am still here and should be compensated. They did not, of course agree, and despite the ease with which they could do this sort of thing over and over with many people involved, they stood their ground. This is called: “Legally scamming the public”.
If I were to join another study with any company like this, I would insist that they sign a contract written up by myself stating that if the company ends the survey, then they have to pay in full. They will, of course, never sign something that states this, which means they are playing the loop hole and probably paying out to NO ONE the $1,000.00 pay day. Basically, they get to a point where they feel you have made the thing work, and they have all the info they need, and then they pull out on you and leave you with pocket change. There is very little evidence to prove that this is NOT the case.
There are many such complaints about this company on the internet and I would heed them and myself well if you feel you might be able to make some side money from this endeavor. I realize there will always be the person who will tell you that this has never happened to them and that they make a living doing this sort of thing, but that is not my testimony. I sit here with no payout from this company more than 35 days later and honestly, I expect to receive nothing.
StayWell Research Reviews
The keyword is Alain Giraud...
Staywell Research does clinical trials. They advertise to the public to participate in the clinical trials and they pay you for your participation. The problem is, when it's time to be paid, they don't. Look on Yelp and you will see countless clinical trial participants who did a study at Stay well and didn't get paid. When you try to get your money they either don't answer the phone, don't answer e-mails, don't return messages. They hide. If you do ever get someone on the phone - they lie to you all the time coming up with excuse after excuse about why your check is late. If you do ever get paid after countless calls and many many many months of trying ... the check will probably bounce. It has happened to me twice! There is only one person who can pay you and that is the financial head of Staywell Research and his name is Alain Giraud. He has taken your money and used it for whatever he wants and when it is time to pay you the money is no where to be found. He already spend it! And there is no money in the bank to cover it. He tells the liars what to say and he knowingly hands out bad checks. He has done a good job hiding his name. He is from france and is in Manila most of the time hiding from you. If you use his name - Alain Giraud - you will have a better chance that they will pay you. Alain Giraud has your money.
I am filing a complaint to the medical research company, Staywell Research and it's parent company Medicus Research company, as of this date, Medicus who lost their lease and was eviction from their Agoura Hills, which is 28720 Roadside Drive Suite 310.
This company is a parasite in the medical research companies, as of this date, 8,April, 2015 I have not been compensated for my involvement for a medical trial study that occured between the months of October 2014 and January 2014, during this time period I was asked to download a application that was supplied by Staywell, during the day I was asked to photographed my weight on a digital weight scale,photograph the medical trial medicine by injecting with a syringe that was supplied by Staywell that was sent vis Federal Express Ground, into a glass of water and then video myself drinking the water, followed up by photograph all my meals, breakfast,luncj and dinner and then to follow up a diary questionaire.
In the middle of the Jan 2015, my study ended and I recived a phone call from Staywell asking me questions about my health and that I was promised that I will recieve shortly a package that I can send back the medical bottles and the syringe.
Three weeks later, I recieve another call from Staywell and was informed that my study is now ended and that byu going to a Staywell based site, I can apply for my compensation, for this I was promised $400.00 during the phone call, I wsss told that I haven't recieve the package to send the medicine back, I was told that I need to do is to take the orginal package to any Federal Express place and they will send the package back.
The next day I went to my local Fed Exp/Kinko's store and was told that Fed Express will not accept the package for Staywell has been negelcting to pay Federal Express, in short, Staywell hasn't paid Federal Express.
The followiing weeks has been trying to find ways to collect my compensation, to my delight, I found a group on Facebook who are also been waiting to collect their compensation.
We have attempted in going to the offices in Northridge and ask where our compensation are and when will we be recieve our payment.
This compnay has dodged even the most simplest questions and requests,and yet as we are waiting for our payments there ate many others who have been induced by the various trial studies to go and start their trial studies, little that they know that at the end of the study is just the start of waiting to be paid.
If anyone who reads this and has ideas on how we can get this company shut down, the doctor is charge to lose his licenses and everyone involved in the studies to be compensated.
Medicus Research aka Staywell Research doesn't honor their promises to pay participants! Very dishonest company. Medicus Research aka Staywell Research contacted me to participate in a medical study, in which I'd receive $400. I did so, and they fail to pay up. I completed the study and met their terms. As of December 2014 I had completed the study and asked for payment. Since then, they have been evasive, returned none of my 25+ calls asking for the whereabouts of my payment. The only reason I participated was because they promised to pay. They have not owned up to their promises. Very, very dishonest people; there are tons of Yelp reviews from people who have been ripped off like I have. This disreputable company should be investigated and/or shut down.
I was referred to Staywell Research by a friend. He was going to participate in a joint pain research study and asked me if I would like to participate as well. I agreed to participate and he would receive $25.00 for referring me. We signed up together, scheduled our appointments together and we both completed the study. We were told that we would receive our compensation by mail within 60 days. My Stipend Payment Log / Request for compensation was approved, dated, signed and submitted on 10/10/2014. As of today's date, I have not received my compensation, nor have I received any returned calls from the emails or messages I have sent requesting the compensation I had earned. This is absolutely ridiculous, unfair and very frustrating. I now see that I am not alone in this unfortunate situation after reading the horror stories that numerous people have published. I just hope Staywell Research / Medicus Research will realize their wrong doing is hurting their participants and finally make good on their promises. The participation in their study was enjoyable, however the resentments their shady compensation department causes quickly over-shadows everything!
It has been 16 months since Staywell Research promise to pay me $1,000 for Medical Research. Stay away from this company they promise to pay you more the second time to delay lawsuit in hopes that statue of limitations runs out and then they rip you off again. Why they havent shut them down is ther probably paying somebody on the inside. Go to another reasearch Facility there sociopaths go to another company.
I am contacting you in regarding Staywell Research aka Medicus Research
failure to compensate me for the participation and completion of Shakeology study named BODY1800
I entered into a contract on the date of 04/08/2014 with Staywell Research also Known as Medicus Research. I participated in they're Shakeology study named -BODY1800. I completed the full study 08/01/2014 and submitted my application for compensation.
The Contract states that they are obligated to pay me within 25 business days of the study completion date, in the amount of $1,100. Despite numerous phone calls complaints and emails, Staywell Research has failed to pay me.
I am reaching out to expose to you the way this company is running their business. Many Participants have to fight for the compensation they were promised. The company continues to write bad checks.
A number of participants have waited six months or longer to receive compensation from the company, and many are still waiting. The company sometimes asks a participants to accept a payment plan spread out five payments over a span of three months. When the consumer refuses the payment plan, Staywell informs them participants that agree to it will receive preferential treatment and their partial checks are processed first.
In addition many Participants have reported that they are given the runaround and are unable to receive firm confirmation that check has been sent. Unfortunately, some who have received checks fare no better since they are unable to cash Staywell’s compensation checks due to the company’s lack of funds. This creates an additional financial burden to participants when they incur bank fees due to Staywell’s insufficient funds.
Although Staywell’s Research Compensation website states, “The issuing of stipends within the agreed upon timeframe is an important part of our operations and professional reputation”, they are not living up to their agreement.
I have included a link to the Yelp Page so you can see it for yourself. yelp.com/biz/staywell-research-northridge
I created a Facebook page to Warn other or Staywells Research Unethical Practices and the Group Continues to Grow By Day.
Group Name : Staywell Research Ripped Me Off
facebook.com/groups/1606834922872578/
In the contract it states the the following ("IRB i a group of of individuals who perform the the initial and ongoing ethical review of the research study with the subjects rights and welfare in mind'') I know of many participants sending in complaints of non payment. How is this Ethical or Having our rights or our welfare in mind? How are so many of us not getting paid? Business Consumer Alliance has received over 100 complaints about Staywell Research AKA Medicus Research. There are complaints against them with numerous agencies.
In received a phone call over a year ago asking if Id like to participate in a study. They promised that I would receive a $500 payment for my time and a $500 bonus for completing the study program at Staywell Research. I said yes and was asked to show up to the Staywell research Dept. in Northridge that following Saturday.
That first day, I spent 3 hours in the waiting room and another 2 hours with the study JUST to see if I was even a good fit. They finally said YES I was a good fit and explained the process and the future payments I was to receive and I was to complete a daily food journal/ a weekly questionaire and numerous visits throughout the next 5-6 months.
As I left that day....on my way out.... The RED FLAG should have been this genlteman yelling and screaming at the ladies at the front desk about not receiving his payment. But I shrugged it off thinking it must just be a freak thing/accident.
So I continued and I did my part and really took this study serious. I drove 45 min there and back-each visit, I put this wierd powdery substance on ALL my food, I kept a daily journal, and never missed an appt. and I completed the program and I have still not been paid. I completed the program in May and its been going on 8 months and I have recieved numerous aplogies and false promises of payments to come and yet I have still received NOTHING!!!
I went there a week and a half ago to complain as I could not get through on the phone to the compensation dept., because their voice mails are always full and/or the line is busy. As I walked in the ladies at Staywell were very helpful and immidiatley got Robert from the compensation dept. to give me a call and thats when he promised me a check on Monday 12/22/14 for $500 AND ANOTHER $500 CHECK ON mONDAY 12/29/14 and HE ALSO PROMISED a phone call with a tracking number for me....Its been almost a week and he still hasnt called me and his line is always busy AGAIN.
Im am so frusterated and confused and just dont understand how they can do this to people. Please help! Its just not fair.
I SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH STAYWELL RESEARCH IN WHICH I AGREED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY "THE EFFECTS OF ANKASCIN 568 PLUS+ ON LIPIDS", GOING 5 TIMES TO THE CLINIC, HAVING BLOOD DRAWS, KEEPING DIARIES, ETC. I DID EVERYTHING THEY ASKED WHEN ASKED IT.
THEY AGREED TO PAY ME IN COMPENSATION $750 25 DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE STUDY.
THE STUDY WAS COMPLETED ON 05/22/2014.
TODAY IS 12/11/2014 AND I'M STILL WAITING FOR MY COMPENSATION.
THEY DON'T ANSWER MY CALLS, THEY DON'T CALL BACK AND THE DON'T PAY.
AFTER I WENT TO THE CLINIC FOR THE SECOND TIME TO ASK FOR MY COMPENSATION AND WAITED 2 HOURS, AND SINCE THE STAFF CLINIC WAS WHO CALLED THEM, TODAY THEY FINALLY CALLED MY BACK JUST TO TELL ME THAT THEY WON'T PAY ME AS THEY PROMISED. INSTEAD THEY WILL BREAK MY COMPENSATION SENDING 5 CHECKS, ONE EVERY OTHER FRIDAY, AND THAT IS EITHER THAT OR I CAN KEEP WAITING AND THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE FOR HOW MUCH LONGER.
THAT WAS OFFENSIVE AND AN ABUSE.
I'VE WAITED FOR ALMOST 7 MONTHS AND THEY WANT ME TO WAIT MORE (MORE THAN 2 MONTHS).
STAYWELL DOESN'T HAVE THE MINIMUM RESPECT OR PROFESSIONALISM.
I THINK IT'S JUST FAIR TO GET PAID FOR WHAT WE AGREED IN A CONTRACT, SINCE THEY WERE PAID ALREADY FROM THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY.
IF SOMEONE COULD HELP ME TO I'D APPRECIATE IT.
Word of caution to any individual entering a study with Staywell Research! I completed a study with this agency over one year ago and have not been compensated for it. The contract the agency has people sign, clearly states that compensation takes between 60 to 75 days to be sent after the study is completed. I am appalled by the fact that there are agencies such as Staywell Research, who claim to have high standards in the studies they perform. I completed a vitamin study in November of 2013 and still waiting for compensation. It is clear that this agency lacks ethical compliance with individuals with compensation. The fact that Staywell Research steals from its subjects shows directly that they are not worthy of trust and I highly recommend anybody to not participate in their studies due to their unethical practices.
I have contacted Staywell Research repeatedly, and each time I was sent to a voicemail stating someone would return my call in 48 hours. They never returned calls. I went to the actual agency in Northridge and was told by the receptionist that they cannot do anything about it. One week later, the receptionist called me with a routing number for a check that I never received. I called customer service because there is no answer at the "compensation department" ever. Customer service claimed to have a compensation department representative call me back. Someone did call back to bribe me into agreeing to receive my compensation under a new payment plan. When I declined the offer, this person stated that they woud pay me an additional $100.00. When I declined and said I wanted nothing to do with this agency, and that I only want my compensation fully paid as agreed with the contract, she said that they would increase the incentive to $200.00 I told her to please stop offering me any extra money and that I just wanted the original, paid in full amount. She stated that they would send it in two weeks. It has been two months since that conversation and I still have not received my compensation.
This agency is by far engaging in extremely unethical practices. I strongly recommend that people Do Not become part of their extremely unfair practices. You will not be compensated. I am still waiting for my compensation, but I will make anything in my capacity to expose Staywell Research breach of contract!
I was in the process of signing up with this company for one of their research study programs and while doing my homework I found a rating report through Business Consumer Alliance, check for yourself!
In March/2013 I became a study participant in a weight loss study. I sucessfully completed the study on Mar. 8th 2014. Not paid as per written agreement. As of 10/5th/2014 I have not been paid. They sent a Non-Sufficient Funds check on 10/1. I called the Issuing bank before depositing.
Funds would not be available till 10/10, if the funds are not there on that date. I will be contacting the District Attorney's office, since it becomes a prosecutable crime issuing bum checks...I've already posted on Google, Facebook, BBB, Consumer Business Alliance, LA Dept of Consumer Affairs. I will see it to it's conclusion.
It wasn’t all that long ago that I saw a blog post on the internet, giving instructions to whomever reads it, directions in the development of what is called “multiple streams of income”. There are many suggestions for those who are struggling financially and looking to get some assistance. One of those suggestions is to engage yourself in a medical research trial. This kind of trial requires one to take a certain drug and or other type of pill, and perhaps some other form of trial application, and then after a hand full of months there is a compensation paid for the patient’s time and effort. One of these companies is named: Staywell Research.
I decided I would test this idea out, as one of several I will be reviewing over the next year, and I joined a trial. The ad for this trial on the local Craigslist stated that the trial would consist of a six month period with a “diet pill” test which would pay $500.00 with a $500.00 bonus if the person was still participating at the end of the trial. This would, of course, result in a $1,000.00 pay day for those involved. It’s important to note at this point that the ad makes mention of the total amount to be payed when the client is still present at the end of the tial. (Get your Orwell earphones working!)
In March of this year I joined the trial and was given a bottle of green pills which may or may not have been the real thing. The point, so I was told, was to use placebo pills in the tests to find out the ultimate result of whether or not the medical benefits actually worked. For myself, this had to do with weight loss. The pills themselves were actually appetite suppressants which were to be taken a half an hour before eating in order to discover the effects on my personal weight over the six months during usage.
I was also given several diaries and charts to keep a record going of daily activities, these included what I had eaten each day, how much I had walked, walking everyday being the method of approved exercise in this case, and other things like my daily weight and such. I was also given a thing called “Fitbit” which records your every movement during the day and reports that to a website where one can also record the daily intake of food, water, and watch the number of steps that I took each day. I really like Fitbit, and I would highly recommend it for anyone interested in tracking themselves on a daily basis. I know there have been complaints in the news about people gaining weight with this thing, but I believe you have to get past the initial temptation to eat more than you should, because Fitbit makes you think about it a lot more than usual. Once I got past that, I was fine.
One is also required to make several visits to the offices and also to speak with a nutritionist on the phone about your progress during the study. There is a lot to do, and if done correctly, then one should be paid for their time and effort. Therefore, I spent a good three months of the trial giving the system a good work out. I tracked all of my water intake, changed the food listing for my daily intake, walked everyday, took the pills, filled out the paperwork and also made the five mile trip to have my measurements taken and my weight recorded. Amazingly, the trial worked! The appetite suppressant was very effective and combined with the huge amount of water I had to drink and all the walking I had to do, I lost almost 30 pounds. I sit here today typing, six weeks later and the weight has not come back. Did I drink and walk the weight off? Hmmmm, could be.
During one of these visits, I saw a man come into the office and try to get his compensation, he had been given the run around several times over the phone and had never received anything. A manager then met with him and when he left, he still had nothing. I kept this event in mind the entire time I continued.
At the end of three months, I was told that the trial was over, and I was required to return Fitbit and my daily logs and the pills to the research center. I was also told that I would NOT be paid the money they owed me. I made an appointment with one of the managers to discuss the problem since it was not myself who had failed to complete the trial or had quit ahead of time. My position is that if the company says that at the end of the trial I am still on the project, then at that time, I will be compensated. Unfortunately, they play games with the definition of when things come to an end, and stick to the original ending date, which would have been some time in August, even if they, themselves, call an end to things. This is crapola of the highest degree.
I was told that because they had “over booked” the trial, they would have to let some of the participants go early and they would only be compensated for the visits they had completed. I had done five visits, but they insisted it was only four. It was not. I was only to receive $160 dollars instead of the $1,000.00 that the “bait and switch” style advertising had promised. No amount of the 45 minutes or so I spent arguing the case with the manager made any difference at all. According to him, they were continuing with the other people in the study and would not continue with me, which is odd, because I was actually making the thing work. Seems you “over book” because you expect a good number of people to do the study incorrectly or perhaps quit prematurely. So, therefore, you need me in the study in case that sort of thing still happens before the ending deadline.
Regardless, the arrangement is for a certain amount to be paid at the end of the study no matter who ends it. If I quit ahead of time, then I can understand their position, I did not complete the study and therefore, I am not present at the end of it. However, if I am told the company is ending the study, then the study ends NOW, and I am still here and should be compensated. They did not, of course agree, and despite the ease with which they could do this sort of thing over and over with many people involved, they stood their ground. This is called: “Legally scamming the public”.
If I were to join another study with any company like this, I would insist that they sign a contract written up by myself stating that if the company ends the survey, then they have to pay in full. They will, of course, never sign something that states this, which means they are playing the loop hole and probably paying out to NO ONE the $1,000.00 pay day. Basically, they get to a point where they feel you have made the thing work, and they have all the info they need, and then they pull out on you and leave you with pocket change. There is very little evidence to prove that this is NOT the case.
There are many such complaints about this company on the internet and I would heed them and myself well if you feel you might be able to make some side money from this endeavor. I realize there will always be the person who will tell you that this has never happened to them and that they make a living doing this sort of thing, but that is not my testimony. I sit here with no payout from this company more than 35 days later and honestly, I expect to receive nothing.
Be forewarned!