Oh Yee Of Little Faith...the Tides are Turning!
Written: Feb 27 '00 (Updated Apr 24 '00)
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: On 4/24/00 I received an email for another member notifying me that I had been reported for abuse because I had posted two reviews on StartSampling.com.
I honestly did not know that I was breaking any rules. I've been told that we can write additional editorials on a topic, but not on products. I apologize to anyone I may have insulted with my mistake. It was never my intention to deceive Epinions.com or any members.
To correct my error, I have combined the 1/29/00 review with this review of StartSampling.com.
Even though it wasn't long ago since I wrote my original epinion "I LOVE A CHALLENGE" on StartSampling.com, with the recent changes in their website I believe it is relevant to write a new review on the improvements they have made and to include information about the point system I left out of my original review. My initial thoughts about the site haven't changed--I do still love a challenge and I think people who have not seen the "old" website still should know what it was like.
For those of you who may not be familiar with StartSampling.com here's the scoop... StartSampling.com is a website where members can request free product samples (based on availability) and accumulate points through a number of ways. When members accumulate 2,500 points or more they can cash in their points for free gifts: i.e. books, videos, CDs, DVD player or TV. Each day a member visits the site, the member earns 10 points; by referring new members to the site, members earn 5 points for each new member. Members can choose to clip and mail in manufacturer UPC codes from products which they have purchased as a result of seeing or sampling the product from the StartSampling.com website and accumulate points that way as well. Other ways to earn points include reading brief descriptions of each of the companies featured on the StartSampling website. Points are also earned each time a member acquires a sample from StartSampling.com and may earn additional points by returning to the website after they have tried the sample they have received and write a review on the product. Even if a sample isn’t available, members can read the description of each of the companies and earn points.
Many epinions have been written complaining about the site regarding its lack of giveaways and the amount of time it takes to accumulate points. Maybe I should keep this a well-guarded secret, but the tides are turning at StartSampling.com. This week the company unveiled its new website with a much more colorful and creative look and everyday I've visited the website there have been samples available. In my first review about StartSampling.com, I commented that the company needed a new webmaster to put some spark in the website. Someone from StartSampling must have read my Epinion, because their website looks great! They've added color and graphic touches to the website and have made it easier to navigate through the site. With the old site members needed to type in their name, password and date of birth in order to move from one screen to the other. Now members only need to enter this information when logging onto the website, ordering samples or upon entering into their accounts to check point totals and prize availability.
On a separate note concerning samples, members may only order one sample within a 24 hour period and only one sample of an available product is permitted. In other words…if you have three kids and you want all three of your kids to sample hot cocoa with you, you’d better plan on one sip per person because you’re not going to receive 4 packets of hot cocoa mix from StartSampling.com.
Initially, like many other reviewers, I had my doubts as to whether or not StartSampling would make it. Most reviewers approved of the idea behind the site, but were frustrated with its lack of samples. I justified my membership and daily visits by "joking" that it was the "CHALLENGE" of seeing whether or not samples would be available. At this point it appears that StartSampling is forging ahead and has taken steps to update its website and make samples available to its members.
For those who have stopped visiting the website, I recommend that they take a second look. To those of you who may read this epinion and then visit StartSampling.com…believe me…they’ve come a long way!
As far as who would be interested in this site...people with a sense of humor and patience!
I LOVE A CHALLENGE Originally submitted 1/29/00
Pros: The idea for StartSampling is a good one with a great deal of potential!
Cons: People love free things and love playing games, but they get tired of seeing the same screen day after day with nothing to offer.
Until I became an epinion member I had never heard of StartSampling.com. From what most of the epinion members said it was a good deal "IF" you were able to get any freebies. I've always loved a challenge (especially if I don't have to leave a comfortable chair during the challenge), so I guess that's why I decided to look at the StartSampling website and register.
Well, I'm here to tell you that the morning of Friday, January 28, the stars, the moon, the sun and the tides were all in alignment...and I achieved the impossible! After three weeks of almost daily (I didn't remember to click on the weekends) clicking on StartSampling.com and finding all the free samples sold out, there was a green light beckoning me to "click it" to receive free TEA BAGS!
Now, did I really want tea bags? No! Did I really want anything they had on the list? No! Then what did I want? I wanted something for nothing!!! And if the stars, the sun, the moon and the tides realign I will someday in the not too distant future (okay, maybe distant future) find tea bags in my mailbox!
Okay, seriously people. I've read a lot of complaints from people who are not happy with the StartSampling website, but there have been epinion members who have reported that they have "received" freebies from StartSampling. I am (okay, may be) living proof that the StartSampling website does work.
The focus of most of the epinions I've read about StartSampling has been the lack of freebies. This looks like a site that trying to grow and I'm not sure if they're going to make it. It looks like they could have a fun website that people will want to visit. They have several different games for members to play, but I think their problem is a lack of prizes (products) and a stale webpage. People visiting the site really want prizes/products, even if they don't want what they win (tea bags for instance) they still want to be able to say they "won" something. Another problem with the website is its lack of creativity. I think they need a new webmaster to put some spark in the site.
Although the website is easy to navigate through, it's a pain in the neck because you need to enter your password and your birthdate what seems like every screen in order to see what is on the page you want to look at.
I'm giving Start Sampling 3 stars because I really like the "idea" behind it (and if they read my epinion maybe I'll get my tea bags sooner). :-)
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
mkosak
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Member: MaggieMae
Location: San Diego, California
Reviews written: 56
Trusted by: 60 members
About Me:
Writer... Mentor... Teacher... Mother...
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