Ask people who have filed complaints to serve on the panel. Companies handle compensation for panel members in a variety of ways. There is no one right approach. Reimbursement may take the form of a modest honorarium calculated to cover gas and mileage, babysitting expenses and other incidental costs. Other companies provide a meal or gift certificate in addition to, or in lieu of, expenses.
Some companies provide a large honorarium to the organizations the panel members represent.
Others pay an honorarium directly to panelists on the assumption that some of them do not receive a salary from the organization they represent. Many consumer organizations have preferences as to how their representatives should or should not be reimbursed. Companies should, therefore, check with the organizations directly as well. The question of compensation for panelists is, however, controversial. Some consumer leaders have mixed feelings about accepting honoraria from a company because they are sensitive about the appearance of potential conflict.