The Legitimacy of Paid Survey Taking
With the economy in the state it's in, many internet users are looking online for new ways to earn income.
One of the first opportunities most come across is the "get paid to take surveys" industry.
It certainly sounds too good to be true which raises the question of the legitimacy of paid survey taking.
First off, there are certainly market research companies that will pay consumers to take surveys, participate in focus groups and try out new products.
By "pay" I mean reward in points that can be traded in for prizes, gift cards, free website memberships, coupons, and more rarely - cash.
Unfortunately, as with any industry that involves money changing hands, not all websites or companies promising paid surveys are legitimate.
Some don't pay out on time or in the manner they promised, some let users take the survey then disqualify them for some reason, and others try to get people to pay for the opportunity to take one of their surveys.
Solid research can help you avoid the companies that don't pay out or attempt to get the survey without paying you for taking it but the companies that try to charge you up front are easy to spot and avoid.
Simply put, if any market research company tries to charge you to join their program or wants you to cash a check then write your own personal check back to them for a membership fee it's safe to say it's a scam.
That said, there are certainly solid companies that will pay you for taking surveys.
They're typically looking for feedback from a certain demographic so finding surveys for which you qualify can be hit or miss but the opportunity is real.
There are many places online where you can identify legitimate paid survey companies.
Do a search for "paid survey forum" and you'll find links to forums where paid survey veterans both share their experiences with various market research firms and identify those with the most lucrative offers.
Another option is to join a membership site that provides access to a database of paid survey opportunities.
These sites rate and rank each paid survey company to help their members identify the best companies and users often share their opinions in a private forum as well.
One thing to note, though, is that almost all of these paid survey membership sites have access to the same database of paid surveys.
The difference is in the value added features each provides so, if you join one, you shouldn't bother joining another as you're unlikely to find significantly different opportunities.
One of the first opportunities most come across is the "get paid to take surveys" industry.
It certainly sounds too good to be true which raises the question of the legitimacy of paid survey taking.
First off, there are certainly market research companies that will pay consumers to take surveys, participate in focus groups and try out new products.
By "pay" I mean reward in points that can be traded in for prizes, gift cards, free website memberships, coupons, and more rarely - cash.
Unfortunately, as with any industry that involves money changing hands, not all websites or companies promising paid surveys are legitimate.
Some don't pay out on time or in the manner they promised, some let users take the survey then disqualify them for some reason, and others try to get people to pay for the opportunity to take one of their surveys.
Solid research can help you avoid the companies that don't pay out or attempt to get the survey without paying you for taking it but the companies that try to charge you up front are easy to spot and avoid.
Simply put, if any market research company tries to charge you to join their program or wants you to cash a check then write your own personal check back to them for a membership fee it's safe to say it's a scam.
That said, there are certainly solid companies that will pay you for taking surveys.
They're typically looking for feedback from a certain demographic so finding surveys for which you qualify can be hit or miss but the opportunity is real.
There are many places online where you can identify legitimate paid survey companies.
Do a search for "paid survey forum" and you'll find links to forums where paid survey veterans both share their experiences with various market research firms and identify those with the most lucrative offers.
Another option is to join a membership site that provides access to a database of paid survey opportunities.
These sites rate and rank each paid survey company to help their members identify the best companies and users often share their opinions in a private forum as well.
One thing to note, though, is that almost all of these paid survey membership sites have access to the same database of paid surveys.
The difference is in the value added features each provides so, if you join one, you shouldn't bother joining another as you're unlikely to find significantly different opportunities.
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