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Home > Are you Paying for those Unpaid Surveys?

Are you Paying for those Unpaid Surveys?

April 30th, 2006 at 10:19 pm



I was shopping with my husband today, carefully going down the list of sales teamed with coupons, when it happened. I saw a hair care product I just HAD to have!

My husband looked at me, and, being unfortunately well-trained by me at the bargain hunters’ game said:

“That’s not on the list.”

“I know” , I responded.

“Is it on sale? It’s not marked. I didn’t see a coupon.” Totally deadpan, serious.

“No, BUT I HAVE TO HAVE IT”.

“Why?”

Clearly he had no concept of the importance of full-thick-shiny-volume-without-frizzy tresses.

“It will make my hair look better”.

“Your hair looks fine.”

“No, it doesn’t. It lacks volume and shine. My hair is getting thinner. My color is dull. I’m getting old.”

He stares. 24 years of marriage; nothing on earth could get him to cross into that discussion.

“You don’t need it, and it costs too much.”

He obviously has no appreciation for my plight.

I threatened not to buy HIS favorite shampoo. Oops….

We left the store without any hair care products. Or words. Lots of feelings, though.

And then I just started laughing. Why?

I had fallen victim to the unpaid survey!

Many of us sign up for consumer panels and surveys believing that we will influence manufacturers’ product development. And influence we do, but not always in ways we anticipate. Unpaid surveys provide a unique opportunity for marketing professionals to evaluate consumer impressions. Surveys can persuade local retailers of the market for the product, and also predict sales rates, and resulting shipment and warehousing requirements.

Surveys provide an equal opportunity to make an impression on consumers. The 20 minute survey introduces potential customers to new products and promotions. The same product advertisement, photo, description, and price are viewed and revisited repeatedly, while the consumer is quizzed on the product:

• How well does the ad convey that this product has ingredients xxxx?
• Why is xxx good for you?
• Are people who use this product a) confident, b) successful, or c) joyful?
• Does this product make you feel like a better spouse, parent, team player?
• Does the price outweigh the potential benefits to your baby/family/pet’s health?


The products themselves may not be captivating, but the survey process may hold you captive. If you cancel out of the survey, you won’t receive rewards, points, or possible prizes. If you fail to respond appropriately to the questions, you will be unceremoniously booted out of the survey, and lose any possible rewards. You may also be denied opportunities to take future paid surveys. And, there is always the chance that at the end of a survey, if you have answered all the questions just right, you’ll have won the lottery: a follow-up survey or panel position with significant rewards. It’s a bit like kissing many frogs before you find a prince.

These surveys go beyond even a 20 minute commercial, with a focus designed to help you realize how desperately you need this product. It can’t make it to the store soon enough! The price is incredibly reasonable for such an innovative product.

Sound like brain washing? If you sign up for it yourself, it’s just good marketing!

13 Responses to “Are you Paying for those Unpaid Surveys?”

  1. markio26 Says:
    1146432637

    i am so, not into impulse buying now.. but, it does take alot of discipline at times...

  2. carol Says:
    1146433724

    I second that.

  3. Princessperky Says:
    1146492733

    ditto!

    You DH did great BTW Smile

  4. flash Says:
    1146601159

    He is great. He had his own moment today.

  5. flash Says:
    1146601202

    And I've been busy cleaning out my inbox. Deleting now, I'll have to go back and formally cancel later.

  6. mary2roy Says:
    1146693516

    i love those surveys, i always learn about new products that way

  7. dalene Says:
    1146693623

    i like the baby ones. i always hope they send diapers!

  8. mary2roy Says:
    1146693684

    do they? I never get products from them. How do you get them to send them to you?

  9. dalene Says:
    1146693808

    At the end they ask you to give your address and they will send stuff to you. then they send another survey later to ask you about it.

  10. Champion Cheapskate Says:
    1146751397

    Sort of reminds of the coupon or credit trap people experience. Half off on products you don't want or need. After all, who can resist a sale. My impulse is not to buy. I see yours is too Smile

  11. flash Says:
    1146765104

    Definitely!

    What I've learned about surveys:

    1. If they show you the brand, a photo, etc., they are past product testing or payment for info, it is strictly marketing to you and gathering data.

    2. If they offer a screening survey, take it. They are quick, and are used frequently to find people for paid surveys or product testing; it's harder for people to scam the survey just to get paid if they don't know what it's for.

    3. If the survey is about concepts and needs, better chance for a product test at the end.

  12. AWriterWithGuts Says:
    1167400279

    WOW ! great site. Thankful you take time to do it. I have one comment on "unpaid surveys" blog. I actually was signed up with a REAL PAID survey site that sent me real checks for $$cash. Only $10 or so for each one I did. I had a computer crash and never was able to find them. They were great. I last had contact w/ them before the crash, and I got at least 1-2 paid surveys/mo, was last in 2003. Some professional sounding corporation name and the contact was a woman named Pat or patricia, I think. Are there any real paid surveys on line anymore? I was with this one for over 3 years. Aloha, AWriterWithGuts

  13. swathi Says:
    1543661182

    Maybe you’ve even tried to take some before, and didn’t make any money.

    The truth is, unless you know the correct paid survey companies to work with, you will NEVER make good money.

    Luckily for you, I’ve found all of the best paid survey companies for you, and created a list of all of the best ones!

    http://www.takesurveysforcash.com?jamer5412



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