So here is my question: What was the initial reaction from clients and market research vendors when they were told that telephone data collection was a viable alternative to door-to-door interviewing? Do you think they decided they didn't like this new methodology because they couldn't see the respondent's face if the interview was conducted over the phone? Or did they say they tried telephone interviewing once, didn't like it, and therefore were not going to use it again? Or perhaps they expressed concern that people were not used to talking on the phone for as long as a survey takes. Or maybe they said they were not making the switch because their clients weren't requesting they do so. I am asking because these are exactly the objections that I encounter when I recommend conducting online focus groups. Even though online groups have been available for at least seven years, there is still a vehement prejudice against this methodology, and the reasons are the ones noted above: they can't see the faces of the respondents; they had one bad experience that soured them "forever;" participants can't adapt to the new technology; and their clients aren't asking for it anyway.