I've been a member of
Opinion Outpost for a long time. While they have always been great about sending checks quickly and accurately, and there are other positives, I have recently been debating my membership. This is a tough one.
With
Opinion Outpost, I always know I can make some money. I can, often, cash out at least $5 every few days. A few days ago, I cashed out $5 one day, $10 the next, and $5 the next. I hate to leave something that reliable... the other positive is... even though it's rare, I know (unlike with Greenfield and a few others) that real people do win their contests. I, once, won the $50 instant win... made up for quite a few of those where I answered too many questions, only to find out that I didn't qualify, and therefore would be paid nothing.
The problems I'm having with Opinion Outpost... first, like I just mentioned, all those surveys I screen out of. At least on most of their surveys, you screen out pretty quickly, so not a lot of time is wasted, which is more than can be said for a lot of companies. The real problem, however, comes with the fact that I'm starting to question their, hmm, how should I put it? Integrity? Ok, first, this only happened once, but it really, really made me angry... I completed a LONG survey. It was one that wasn't immediately credited, no big deal. But then, I get an email from them a few days later... saying I took TOO LONG to finish the survey, so I wouldn't get any credit at all, after spending all that time! Oh, talk about boiling! I wrote them back, and explained that I understand the whole "timing surveys" thing, to ensure that panelists are, in fact, reading the questions and answering honestly and responsibly... but to say I took too long?! This wasn't something where I left the computer and forgot the survey... I was actually completing it! I told them, if anything, that should show them that I was taking the time to read the questions carefully, so that their client would receive the most accurate information possible. No luck.
The other problem, that's making me wonder about them, and this one happens more often than it should... I complete a survey, yes, do the entire thing, and get the screen thanking me for completing the survey... then, it doesn't redirect me to Opinion Outpost to be credited. THEN... Opinion Outpost gives me some crappy message, saying I didn't qualify or the study was full, or they had too many answers from my demographics... you know all the excuses they can come up with. This happened again yesterday, and I am NOT happy about it.
Overall, I think Opinion Outpost is a decent company... but where do I draw the line? I AM giving them my valuable time, and my opinions, which yes... those are worth money, or we wouldn't have so many companies offering to pay to get them. Companies make money from our opinions, as they get our ideas on how to better market their products to people like: US!
Anyway, even with my complaints, I still don't think I can unsubscribe just yet, because I do earn regular payments from them... but if these problems keep happening, it won't be for much longer. I'm already doing pretty long surveys for them for a measly buck or two a pop!
What do you all think? What are your opinions???
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