In my quest to find more money (while also cutting back my spending) I ran across some online marketing companies.  They hook you up with surveys or online focus groups or to use products and discuss - all of these supposively pay decent $$$. 
My question for all of you savy interet debt management peeps is...is this a scam? 
I answered one survey that led to another and another and another and so on until my hand hurt.  The other one wanted me to pay for sepcial software. 
In theory it sounds like a good thing becaue I have been paid to be in focus groups (in person) and to answer surveys at the mall.  But it seems like a scam online.  Does anyone know of any that are not scams?
Thanks for your help and thoughts!

I'm leery of anyplace that asks for money upfront. I mean if they're legit they're suppose to be paying you. Right?

I do Pinecone and they're good. But they make you promise not to discuss any of their offers with anyone. So all I can tell you is that they pay but it ain't very often that you get a survey from them. At least I haven't so far.

I'm also trying to do the "mystery shopper" thing. And like I said, I would try to stay away from anyplace that asks you for money. I signed up for a free version with a company and so far they've hooked me up with one place in my area that needs a secret shopper for one shopping experience. I haven't gotten back with them yet.

You can make a few dollars here and there but a lot of it is just getting reimbursed for things, like meals. But I'm all for getting a free meal here and there.

I wouldn't pay money to try to make money. There are survey sites that will pay money for your answers but it might take some time to earn money. My sister just received a $31.00 check from one of these survey sites.

Thanks for the wise words.  I am interested in the secret shopper gig.  I'm so regretting the one site I signed up with to fill out surveys because they've infiltrated my email...urg, spammers.  My needs for money overcame my internet smarts.  But, the good news is that I finally got a job this week and hopefully I'll be able to finally get caught up on my debts.  Thanks again!

Hi Cathy,

I stopped doing the surveys after one week.  I was ready to put a pencil in my eye, because it would have been less painful then doing any more surveys.  Second bad thing I would get 200+ emails a week from all their sub groups. 

My sig line has a pretty good one.  I only get an email from them saying that I have emails in their internal mailbox.  I no longer wake up seeing 100s of ads in my personal email box. All Ads for reading are on their site.

There is a sister site that I joined, and I will let everyone know if they work out as well.  We really have to help each other to be successful. 

I’m lucky, that I have 3 websites and unlimited email boxes.   I have one nicklists1 another Affiliate1 and Affiliate 2 etc.  That’s so I can separate different projects.  Also I don't have to worry about bounced emails, or not getting emails because of the spam filters used by the Free email accounts.  If you can get a free Gmail account for any online marketing, projects etc.

I’m also a firm believer in paying forward.  When I can,  I do upgrade the people in my down lines that can’t afford it or are leery of the plans.  As the plans work I will be putting them on my websites for others to check out. 

Any Internet venture will take time.  There are no overnight get rich quick.  Unless you have 100,000 people that are all looking for what you have to offer, getting rich overnight  it will not happen.

To succeed, you need like-minded people in whatever you are doing.  That takes time.  You need people that have not been burnt before or people you can convince that you will help them succeed. 

Wishing you much success
Nick
Nick4033

Last edited by Nick4033 (2008-05-30 11:27:47)