Testpoint recently conducted a recruitment of five people in Milan and Naples who were interested in replacing their built-in dishwashers and were willing to test a new model of this appliance at their homes for three months. At the end of the trial period, the respondents retained their dishwashers.
A home test with a truly unique placement
Dishwashers are now present in virtually every home, and built-in models are highly sought after and appreciated because they integrate seamlessly into the kitchen cabinetry with a control panel hidden at the top of the door.
The reason for choosing a built-in dishwasher is essentially aesthetic: there are fully integrated models, with the controls on the inside, and partially integrated ones with the control panel visible from the outside. Furthermore, there are standard-sized models and “slim” models suitable for a smaller number of place settings.
Testpoint recruited five people willing to test new built-in dishwasher models, both standard and “slim,” for three months. Respondents were located in Milan and Naples. The dishwasher was then “placed.”
How the test was conducted
The unique feature of this test was its recruitment. Testpoint recruited five users of built-in dishwashers who were interested in replacing their existing appliance with one of the dimensions included in the test. Upon completion of the screener, the selected individuals were informed of the brand of dishwasher they would receive.
Once the respondents were located, the dishwasher was delivered by Testpoint technicians who installed the test appliance and disposed of the old one. A representative from the manufacturer was always present during installation to supervise all operations.
Respondents were immediately asked to complete an initial questionnaire lasting approximately 15 minutes: the questions concerned first impressions (the appliance’s aesthetics, functionality). After a month, respondents were asked to complete a second questionnaire, this time lasting about an hour. A third questionnaire was administered at the end of the trial, that is, after 90 days.
These last two questionnaires explored all aspects of the washing process, from the results of cleaning and drying on plates, glasses, and pans with the different washing programs, to other aspects such as noise and vibration.
