Pinecone Research "Household Questions"

[robinb]

These are really beginning to annoy me, anyone else? I like their regular surveys. I think they're fairly fun. I try to answer the questions as thoughtfully as I can because that's what they're paying me for! More "Mouse Money"!

BUT ... these "Household Questions" are far too frequent and I don't get paid for them! I've had 4 of the freebie surveys in the last month and only 1 regular survey that I've been paid for. The last "Household Questions" one I started today I STOPPED because the questions were far too personal!

I know they say they want to build better panels for their customers ... but they are also asking about brand names. Do you think they're selling the information that they are gathering? Of course! And not paying us a dime. Also, the say each one should take less than 5 minutes. Fine. But the 4 I did took 20 minutes or my time that I gave to them.

Am I a little honked off? Yes! Maybe it's just holiday stress .

 

[LI Debbie]

but all in all, pinecone is a pretty decent company and I've done many surveys and tested some products for them too. They always pay promptly which is not something you can say about a lot of companies.

I also do www.aolaadvantage.com for American airline frequent flyer miles. You can do surveys for Opinion Place through that site every two weeks. Each time, you have to go through a "qualifying survey" which allows them to collect all kinds of information about your buying habits. Very often you go through the whole process and then they tell you that you don't qualify.

My point is that this is, in part, how these companies make money. I guess if we want them to continue in business and to pay us, we have to put up with this nonsense.

But we don't have to like it.

 

[jennymouse]

I was sort of wondering the same thing....I've been filling them out anyway, because I've had a guilty concious for cashing a check they sent me without doing the survey....I tried to do it but it was already over....I didn't know it when I deposited the check. They never asked for the money back, or anything...and I've gotten two more paying surveys since.

 

[MiknMinMouse]

Can anyone post more information on Pinecone Research? How did you become involved?

 

[jdads2]

I was able to join Pinecone research when Mal posted a "get to the site quick" link. I don't believe that they have open enrollment all the time. I am willing to bet it is when they get low on the number of people who fill out thier surveys.

As for the surveys being too personal... I never felt that they crossed that "line". Of coarse I am the kind of guy that posts pictures of himself in a Winnie the Pooh costume

 

[robinb]

They asked me if I currently used birth control. IMO, that crossed the line.

 

[dmslush]

Just a friendly warning, if pinecone discovers someone talking about the surveys, their membership can be cancelled.

 

[Pooh's Pal]

WOW! My lips are sealed! Didn't know that.

 

[robinb]

Yes, for the "paid for" surveys you always have to type in "I AGREE" to the terms and conditions to continue. No such verification is on the "Household Questions" which was why I felt free to talk about the question that made me stop the survey. Just to be on the safe side, Pooh's Pal, I would edit your other post.

 

[Pooh's Pal]

THanks!