Anyone who’s looking for a home business or work at home job has likely come across ads for paid surveys. Is this a legitimate way to make money? Many websites say it is and they claim you can make decent money in just a few minute’s time filling out simple surveys.
I looked into it a little further and found that you are required to give out a lot of private information. These companies say that they need you to fill out “screeners” to make sure you fit the demographic they hope to survey. Even if you don’t fit, and don’t get the opportunity to make any money, they get your information.
They also try to get you to sign up with other survey companies. My advice is to sign up with only one and see if it’s what you’re looking for before giving your information to several others.
Many of the offers I looked at were not paid surveys at all. Sure, they offered to put your name into a drawing for the chance to win a prize, but those great paychecks I kept hearing about seemed to be non-existent.
Also, beware of those “free” offers you’ll start receiving. Most take you through a maze of products to buy or to sample for the cost of shipping. Those free offers can get really expensive! While there were a handful of good deals, trial offers, and coupons, I still didn’t see an opportunity to make money.
Beware of the survey companies that charge you to join as well. Many are simply listings of surveys you can find yourself with a search engine, if you want to give surveys a try. Call me crazy, but I refuse to pay for the opportunity to work, rather than being paid to work.
I’m obviously not a big fan of surveys, but that’s just my opinion. Maybe you have had a better experience. If so, please comment and share your experience.