You never have to do anything unless you receive an email from them (with instructions) or a sample in the mail (with instructions).
They will occasionally email you with a "Household Questions" survey. This is different than a study. You won't receive a check for these surveys, but they are VERY short (normally under 5 minutes and sometimes just 1-2 questions). DO THESE SURVEYS!!! They help set your demographics and they also show you are serious about being on the panel. The more you do, the more they will send you.
When you receive an email about a study you know you've earned a $5 check. The check will arrive whether or not you complete the study. Sometimes the checks arrive before you even fill out the study. Don't skip the study just because you were paid for it anyway...if you do that too many times they will drop you. The studies can take as little as 30 seconds if you don't fit the demographics. They can take as long as 10 minutes if you fit the demographics. If you receive a question at the end of the study asking if you'd be willing to accept a sample, you will get the sample about 50% to 75% of the time, but not every time. If you are not asked if you would be willing to accept a sample, you will most likely not be getting one.
Samples normally arrive within a week of completing a survey. They are almost always full-size samples and sometimes you will receive several items at once. Sometimes they have retail labels on them. Other times they are in plain packaging.
Within a few days of when you receive the sample you'll get another $5 check in the mail. This check is your compensation for the follow-up study. The follow-up study will ask you how you liked the product. It normally takes about 5-10 minutes to complete.
Approximately 25% of the time you'll receive a pre-paid mailer to return the packaging to Pinecone (keep in mind Pinecone is mostly unreleased products, so the manufacturer's want their ideas protected). If you are asked to return packaging, you'll receive a third $5 check as a thank you for the return.
I've been with Pinecone for 3 years now. I've had countless studies and I've probably received more than 25 sample products. It's a lot of fun and especially cool to sometimes see the products actually get released on the market a few months after the study. I've received samples of items with values ranging upwards of $25, but most of the samples tend to be food items, personal care items, or cleaning products.
The craziest test product I ever received - a full-size container of personal lubricant
They actually made me "sign" (click a button) agreeing to accept an "adult" product.
I have done many surveys with them, but I've never received any products to try out. I imagine if you do get some, they would not come with the check, but would be sent seperately.
