I Made Money Here! But, Don't Quit Your Day Job!
Written: Oct 25 '00 (Updated Oct 25 '00)
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Since, unlike many people, I actually enjoy doing surveys, I have signed up for all the online survey sites I can find. My favorite is Greenfield Online, which I joined last June.
Greenfield Online is a research company that carries out research online. They regularly post surveys on various subjects that you can complete by logging onto their site. But, first you have to register at the site, and complete some information about yourself.
Greenfield Online does not pay you to do surveys (unfortunately!). Instead, your name is entered into a drawing for a chance to win a prize. This can be as little as $5, or as much as $500. (I believe that's the largest amount offered.) Greenfield Online does, however, pay participants to take part in focus groups.
Any money won or earned at Greenfield Online is deposited into an account at iGain. Setting up this account is free and easy, and a check can be requested at any time, without reaching a certain balance, and at no cost.
When I first joined Greenfield Online, I thought that I would try it for awhile to see if I could win anything. After being a regular survey taker for almost five months, I have not won a dime! However, I did make money when I was selected to participate in a focus group.
In July, I got an e-mail from Greenfield Online, requesting that I take part in a focus group to discuss hair products. I was promised payment of $50 for almost two hours of discussion and, of course, I jumped at the chance. The day before the focus group was to meet, I got an e-mail clearly outlining what I would be doing. At the appointed day and time, I logged on eagerly.
There were about twelve of us and a moderator. It was all very friendly and low key. The moderator sent some people to chat rooms, and the four or five of us left chatted among ourselves. Within five minutes, the moderator returned to tell us that "the client has decided to go with a smaller group", and we wouldn't be needed. But she quickly added that we would still be paid. Great! Free money!
The site promises that you will see any money you make in your iGain account within six to eight weeks. I patiently waited for the e-mail letting me know that I had received the money, but two months later, no money. I e-mailed Greenfield Online, and got an immediate reply that they would look into it. Three days later, I got an e-mail saying that the money had now been deposited.
While I believe that this was a genuine mistake, I wonder if I would ever have gotten this money had I not followed this up. I have not requested a check from iGain yet, and have managed to raise that amount to $51.50. (There are some - but not many - ways of earning money at iGain, by clicking on sites and applying for credit cards.)
All in all, I enjoy Greenfield Online. I log onto the site every other day or so, complete the surveys available, and visualize myself winning. I keep my fingers crossed that I'll be selected for another focus group. Other sites offer payment for surveys but, I have found that the surveys are few and far between. With Greenfield Online, it is rare not to have a survey to complete every two days or so.
This site is not for you if you don't enjoy doing surveys, or if you want to make a lot of money. You will not get rich here. The $50 I made was good money for fifteen minutes' "work", but that is also the only $50 I made in over four months at the site.
For now, I'm going to stick with Greenfield Online. I can see a time in the future when I will get tired of not receiving anything, unless I actually win something, of course! I have read reviews from people who have won, so I'm always hopeful. In the meantime, I check in regularly to click on surveys.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
derval
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Location: San Leon, Texas
Reviews written: 49
Trusted by: 32 members
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