Paid Survey Scams - Should Advertisers Be Responsible?

What are Paid Survey Sites?

Panda Research is not a bone fide consumer "survey" site but is among a growing number of businesses (or individuals) that get paid by advertisers for sending them qualified leads and business. This is done under the guise of "completing a survey" which can entail as little as providing an email address, to signing up for a free trial, to paying shipping for a "free product" or actually buying something, in some cases. The customers who follow the requirements for each paid survey, or offer, in turn are to be compensated for their patronage of select businesses. But as you might surmise, some paid surveys don't pay up and it appears some advertisers do not care.

Potential Income or Potential Victim?

I signed up to take paid surveys at PandaResearch.com in early September, 2006, in hopes of making a little extra money for Christmas. Circumstances as they are, a few-hundred bucks makes a notable difference. I imagine people with limited resources are a majority of paid survey participants and yet there is major growth in this industry. This means consumers referred from these paid surveys are making purchases. Further, the growth in the number of paid survey sites is considerable.

In essence. these paid surveys also serve as quasi-rebate resources, whereas the consumers may not expect to make money but at least get some of their money back. This by selecting offers that pay the customer for purchasing products or services they want. Otherwise, paid surveys typically appeal to the young, those on fixed-income and stay-at-home parents wanting to make money at home.

Someone is obviously making substantial money, fairly or not, through Panda Research and other paid survey sites. Though fair is fair for everyone, rich or poor, those with limited income need even more protection against false claims because the consequences have a greater negative impact. Some beyond the scope of this article. But consumers who don't know the facts and read the fine print can actually lose money as well as time. This through inadvertent or overlooked charges made to their credit card.

A Lesson about Paid Surveys and Advertisers

Though I am a Net veteran of the early 90s, and hence know better, I simply forgot to check out Panda's reputation. However, I did read the Terms of Service (very important with these paid surveys) and noted numerous other Web sites had recommended them. This of course is to gain a few affiliate bucks I realize, with some wishing to give their customers more paid survey choices - a poor one in this instance.

I didn't plan on making substantial money but as I joined several other paid survey sites, some good, some not, I learned there is a modest amount of money to be made. The main attraction for me at Panda Research was getting paid via reputable companies by signing up for information and free trials for items I already possessed an interest in.

The link between the reputable companies and the paid survey Web sites are very flimsy at best. The paid survey Web sites infer a good reputation by having some well-known advertisers. However, the advertisers are not responsible for paying you directly, but they are responsible for paying the survey Web sites who advertise them. It is obvious some advertisers need to be more selective with their affiliates as are many companies who individually review Web sites and affiliate applications. Perhaps this is why most paid survey sites have the same advertisers? Are they lax or simply unconcerned with their reputation?

Three Months Later - Where is the Money?

More than three months after I completed the paid surveys, Panda Research owes me well over $100 and probably closer to $200. Actually my "pending amount" is $157.50 and the "approved" amount is $87 (this is a problem as I'll explain). Also of note, $80 is from one source, where I willingly spent money, leaving only $7 that Panda Research approved among the several other paid survey offers I completed.

The biggest paid survey offer that they have not yet approved is for a Blockbuster Trial (claimed to be worth $30, though my account record shows $22). It is here I have the biggest concern and evidence of their questionable practices. I approached Blockbuster on the matter and they confirmed my free trial, to myself and Panda Research. This fulfills my end of the paid survey bargain. So why isn't it approved? Is it because this $22 would allow me to cash out?

Paid Surveys - Cashing Out or Dishing it Out

Individuals are not able to get their money from Panda Research unless they have at least $100 in "approved" paid survey offers, hence my $87 is currently useless. As this is a much higher requirement than most paid survey sites (most average $25-$30), I would not have bothered if I hadn't counted on the money from Blockbuster ($80 + $22, to make my total $102). The rest of the survey offers, sites I spent my time on, often paid little, though collectively it seemed worthwhile if added to my expected amount.

In dealing with Panda Research on this matter I have received at least 3 form emails explaining that it takes 6-8 weeks to approve a paid survey offer and that I am only approved if I satisfy the requirements and that they need confirmation. This I sent. So by November, knowing I met the paid survey requirements and finding they wouldn't acknowledged the problem, I saw the $100 plus dollars evaporate.

Paid Surveys and Scam Reports

My fears were confirmed when I looked up the keywords "Panda Research.com" and "Scam" on the Net. I saw I was not alone, not by far, unfortunately. Web sites such as ripoffreport.com and scam.com (to name a couple) contain some of the complaints. More than one individual claims to be owed over $1000.00, several more at least $100. There are enough paid surveys to earn $1000 if you are willing to spend money at the advertisers for their product or service.

How many brick-and-mortar companies can get away with essentially not paying an advertised $1000, or even $100, rebate, incentive or free offer for that matter? The same is true of online businesses, though lagging by far, there are resources to fight fraud and questionable business practices online. I am sure paid survey sites like Panda Research expect them not to be used.

Paying Survey Scams a Reality Check

I decided I was not going to let this lie and expressed this to Panda Research, who has since quit communicating with me. I have looked up the parent company and the attorney general (just in case) as well as other sources to send my complaint. I share below the information for others who have been scammed by this and other companies, and/or who wish to avoid being a victim of scams. My estimate is that some of these paid survey companies are making thousands, if not tens-of-thousands, a month by either committing outright fraud or by creating so many loopholes and delays that people just give up. And a small minority simply have poor affiliate record keeping.

Survey Companies and Advertisers Take Notice

The advertisers pay good money for qualified leads and a substantial amount of it belongs to individuals who, like myself, spend the necessary time and/or money at these sites, provide our useful, and personal, marketing information and often have to deal with some resulting spam as a consequence. Enough complaints targeted to the right sources, rather than scattered here and there, should yield some action and may at least discourage these practices elsewhere. Perhaps advertisers will be a little more selective in their affiliate programs and investigate these paid survey site complaints. While Blockbuster was supportive (and I will contact them again), but showed little concern of their reputation. I wonder how Netflix (another paid survey offer) would handle the matter? I guess I'll find out as that is the service I chose.

Are Paid Surveys Worth It?

After all this, I have come to the conclusion that most are not. A select few paid survey sites are worth it if you do a little homework and have the facts and fine print. I know of two so far that are timely and accurate at paying and there may be others. It is certainly not the best way to make, or even save, money online.

Paid Survey vs. Consumer Surveys

The bone fide survey sites, (e.g. Nelsien Media, Harris Poll etc.) where you actually answer survey questionnaires, are in a different category. They offer cash and prize contests and other perks with little risk sharing your personal information. These at the very least are far more interesting and worthwhile from a consumer standpoint. Your opinions affect products and services as they are developed.

Protect Yourself from Paid Survey Scams and Get Paid

1. Read the Terms of Service (TOS) Carefully
(Not only will you find information on payout but you may find all the excuses they can use to get out of paying.)

2. Save every confirmation e-mail from the paid survey offers and other correspondence from the applicable companies whose offer you accept.

3. Use one email address for all of your paid surveys, or they may not credit properly. Sign up for a good free e-mail account, if needed, with a decent spam filter. (e.g. Yahoo, MSN etc.) Make sure your spam filter is set to allow the desired emails to come in.

4. If you are signing up for a free trial make sure you understand the cancellation and billing policy in the TOS. Some less ethical companies will charge you if you don't cancel some days in advance.

5. For a paid survey offer to be credited, you often have to confirm your interest by clicking on a link (e-mail verification), don't forget to do so.

6. Be cautious with your personal information and especially your cell phone number. (Check the privacy policy). Reputable companies, like Blockbuster, Efax etc., do not call to solicit but some basement companies, or commission sales people (e.g. school admissions) do. If you have to pay for incoming calls this is a real burden.

7. Look for adequate contact information. Check who the company is registered to: Type "WHOIS" followed by the domain name (someplace.com) in a search engine such as Google.