Question about surveys for drawing entries.

FreePaidSurveys · Site Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 397

Here's an email I received and my response. Thought you might find it helpful.

Original email
Hi Chris,

I am a little concerned and need some encouragement with regard to taking surveys that offer "drawings" instead of any points for merchandise and/or cash, coupons, things of that nature. I seem to spend a whole lot of time on them and I am getting discouraged.

Through your expertise, can you answer my following concerns for me:

When you take the time to fill out surveys that offer drawings only, do they actually perform drawings where there are winners on these surveys? If they do, the odds seem very low that one would even win anything.

I have one survey company in particular that I have been filling out surveys for over 6 MONTHS, and they always say that my odds for winnings are very high. I am skeptical about this company. What do you know about Greenfieldonline.com? I don't see it on your list.

Lastly, in your opinion do you think I am just wasting my time taking these surveys that offer drawings only? I love to take surveys, but I would like to feel that I am rewarded in some way.
Please advise when you can.
Thanks for your help. I really like your website, and I admire your creativity.

My Response
I've actually had pretty good luck with drawings, with one exception... Greenfield. Don't let Greenfield throw you off, the problem is they send out way too many surveys and don't give out enough prizes.

Unfortunately most people who take a lot of surveys lump all survey sites together when they are referring to a particular aspect of them, in this case drawings. I'll bet if you look back (I have a seperate folder in my email program for every survey site I belong to for east tracking) that you have taken more drawing surveys for Greenfield than from all others combined.

So, here's what I do. Like I said, I have a seperate folder for each survey site, I have rules set up in my email program to move emails from those sites directly to those folders. When I see I have mail from Greenfield, I do not rush to it and do any other surveys I might have first. When and if I have time I will look through the Greenfield emails to see if any are for straight cash, not a drawing. If so I take them if not, then maybe I might take them if I have nothing better to do (which normally means I don't take them).

As for the rest of them, just look at the invite when it comes. There's a lot of them that have a 1 in 10 or 1 in 5 chance of winning, of course these are going to have lots of small prizes, for example they'll usually have a larger type grand prize (maybe $500 or $100) then maybe a $50 second prize then a whole bunch of $5 or $10's. I've actually won quite a few $5 and $10 prizes, I know I won a $50 one once and probably a few others. Most of the invitations will either state the odds, or tell how many prizes they're giving out. Make sure you look when they say they're giving away, say $5000, to see if it's $5000 to one person or if its spread out in smaller amounts. Obviously the more actual prizes, ie. smaller prizes, you'll have better odds. As for those that offer large payouts for a few people, I still like to do them when I have time to. I look at these like playing the lotto, but instead of paying cash for a ticket, it costs me some time, you never know.

So, I think you'll find that just by eliminating Greenfield as a priority, you'll be eliminating a good number of drawing surveys that you've been taking and therefore start to see a better "win" vs. time spent ratio.
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Chris Ohlson
Webmaster, FreePaidSurveys.net

Mickey · Guest

When Greenfield offered cash incentives, I made sure I did every one of those surveys. I actually made some good money with them in the beginning. At least I knew I got something for my time. But now that they've changed to drawings and once in awhile cash, I don't do them either. I actually emailed them as to why they changed from cash to drawings and they didn't have a good reason why they changed. So, I totally agree with Chris, stick with the ones that pay cash and points for sure and leave drawings as a last resort especially with Greenfield.

mayanme2 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 15

Hi. What I do is check Greenfield's site and do surveys that have a guarenteed amount. I won quite a few $10 drawings from them months and months ago but lately they're very slow even with guarenteed payments. I have started keeping track of the survey numbers and subject and the date I filled them out and have sent Emails when it seems way too long for payment. They always say everyone will be paid when project is completed however the Emails usually result in a payment to my account. Hope you find this helpful.

SimplyJessica · Joined: 10 Mar 2005 Posts: 3

Thanks for the information, Chris. I really appreciate it. God bless you!

Jessica

kayaker · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 10

I've read your response about Greenfield and others regarding surveys for alleged chances to win prizes or money. Lately Greenfield has been listing alleged winners by first name, last initial and an alleged city and state. In other words there is nothing there that I can verify. I cannot say that the payments were not made, only that I can't verify.

FreePaidSurveys · Site Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 397

I would not question the validity that the people listed have actually won. Greenfield has been around for a very long time, and they'd have been in hot water were they not giving away prizes as stated. They will not give out any more info than what they do because it's a privacy issue, I certainly would not want them posting all of my personal info (not that I wouldn't love 50 more emails a day from some wackos to add to my daily spam).

What I'm basically saying is that your odds to actually be one of those people, seems to be pretty slim. You take survey after survey for a contest with them, and never seem to win. That's not to say that eventually you wouldn't, it's just how much time are you willing to spend to eventually win.
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Chris Ohlson
Webmaster, FreePaidSurveys.net

Pink Panther76 · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 100

Just to add my 2cents...The most I have ever won in a sweepstakes/Draw was $100. I have also won a few $5 dollar draws. So, yes people do win. As far as Greenfield is concerned...well let me say that right now I do not hold a very high opinion of them. I have done several interactive surveys for them with a payout of $25-$30 a piece and have had to fight tooth and nail to receive my pay. I am currently waiting on $52 dollars that I cashed out a month ago and they still owe me another $55. This has been going on since back in January of this year.
Regards,
Pink Panther76
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Love many,Trust few, Always paddle your own Canoe!!!

DARKarcher8 · Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 6

Has anyone won any drawings from surveyspot?? They give alot of drawings. I just wonder if anyone is winning them. or maybe its just the bad luck I always get.

FreePaidSurveys · Site Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 397

I've won several $5 drawings through survey spot.
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Chris Ohlson
Webmaster, FreePaidSurveys.net

FreePaidSurveys · Site Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 397

If you go here https://www.surveyspot.com/panelist/PanelistManager?action=Home you should be able to login to your account and see if you have any balances. This is a fairly new system for Survey Spot. I didn't even realize it but I have some cash in there.

If you don't have an account, you may have to activate your password. You can find info on their homepage http://www.surveyspot.com
_________________
Chris Ohlson
Webmaster, FreePaidSurveys.net