It seems to me that PCR is quickly going from one of the best survey sites to one of the worst. They have lowered the benefit amounts, and seems like they are diverting more surveys to the new people and screwing the older $5 grandfathered members. Emails from 'Karen' are getting ruder, if they even come at all. My email to them got deleted without even being read. Tis a shame...

I am only registered with Pinecone. What do you suggest for another site to sign up with?

I am only registered with Pinecone. What do you suggest for another site to sign up with?

surveyspot is a good one.

takes awhile to get paid but just go to surveyspot and sign up.

That's really interesting. I am one of the $5 old-timers. I am also signed up with a handful of highly-rated survey places (according to Volition). I have also noticed that I am receiving several Pinecone and Nielsen surveys through these other companies as well. I never saw them before and suddenly several within the past couple of weeks.

I did two official Pinecone surveys last week and still haven't been paid for them. I find this extremely odd since the money would always be waiting in my Paypal account the day after. Have they already pulled the rug out on payments and are doing points/contests like the rest of them?

I was getting $5 for surveys over the past probably 3-4 years... Made a good grand or so then all of a sudden my account was deleted. Wonder if that has anything to do with switching down to $3 pay outs? :-/

Not to get all nostalgic, but I used to be heavily involved with surveys and focus groups in the late 90's up until the bubble burst. I used to make an extra grand a month doing these things. Online focus groups would be an easy $100-$200 for less than an hour and the surveys were rarely less than $20. Times, they do change....

I took a survey Sunday, because I got an email saying it ended on Monday.

Monday i got an email reminding me to take the survey, which I ignored, because sometimes that happens.

Well I kinda thought i would get paid today or yesterday, but i haven't.

What do y'all think is wrong?

I'm not sure whats up, I logged on Friday and noticed that I had a survey on there so i completed it. Then on Saturday I got the email saying I have a survey I wasn't sure if it was the same one or not so i clicked on it and started it and it told me i already completed it. Then I got an email yesterday reminding me to do the survey, and then this morning I got another email reminding me that it expires tomorrow. :confused: It shows up in my account as already being completed.

think that Memorial Day screwed things up over there? Or were those Sweepstakes only surveys, and they didn't have the class to tell us??

Hey everyone...

I'm one of the $5 panelists for Pinecone and I just got a survey offer that has no mention of a traditional payment. It says:

We have a new and exciting survey for you about your household. For this survey, we are offering a sweepstakes with the chance to win a $1000 or one of fifteen $100 cash drawings.

Do you think this is the beginning of the end of traditional payments or are they just trying to spice up the household questions that they send out with some kind of incentive?

Pinecone is going straight to the shitter

my name,

We have a new and exciting survey for you about your household. For this survey, we are offering a sweepstakes with the chance to win a $1000 or one of fifteen $100 cash drawings.

Please click on the link below to be taken directly to this survey. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SURVEY WILL NOT BE LISTED ON THE CURRENT STUDIES PAGE ON THE PINECONE WEBSITE. YOU MUST USE THE LINK BELOW TO ACCESS THE SURVEY.

user specific link

Entry in the sweepstakes is open to all active PineCone Panelists who are 18 years of age or older. Official rules are posted on the Pinecone website.



We appreciate your time in answering our request. Please respond at your earliest convenience.


Sincerely,


Karen Scott

fark this, seriously why would they mess with a good thing

Yep, got that same email. And I did the survey and what they wanted to do was a little too much with the payout they were offering.:nod:

i got it too. This sucks. I love Pinecone, but it is starting to suck badly :(

Yep, got that same email. And I did the survey and what they wanted to do was a little too much with the payout they were offering.:nod:

lol same here
and have to do it for a year??

i decided not to do it because not sure
we are going to keep our current service and could not find
if you lose your "incentive" if you change service plan

"We have a new and exciting survey for you about your household. For this survey, we are offering a sweepstakes with the chance to win a $1000 or one of fifteen $100 cash drawings."

I wonder if this is just one of the 'household questions' surveys and not an actual 'real' survey? Everyone has been complaining about how long the household surveys have become. Maybe this is their way of easing the pain of them. I know some that have taken have been just as long as an actual product survey.

the survey they are sending out ends up being an offer for something else...just a heads up. it offers a paying thing at the end but i am not sure how many of you will feel about it.

i havent gotten any emails in the past few days

the survey they are sending out ends up being an offer for something else...just a heads up. it offers a paying thing at the end but i am not sure how many of you will feel about it.
well, you got me curious, im gonna go look

well, you got me curious, im gonna go look

LOL.
well I said yes even tho the payout is not that good...but I reviewed what they needed and there wasn't any personal information that they could use or could be compromised in anyway. so I said okay.

*shrugs*
either way, I still wanted to get entered into that drawing for that $$$$
Gas is HIGH!!!
also, for some who said they didn't want to do the sweepstakes thing, why is that? I said yes and to me it seemed you would get sweepstake entries for all the household questions and you would get $3 for the ones ending in 1001. actually they didn't ask me, they told me that was going to happen! LOL. so maybe they asked you $5 people
either way, since then I have gotten 2 paying surveys in the last month. not much but...those little checks do add up in my savings account. and hopefully I will win the sweepstakes one day!

I didn't get any extra offers at the end of the survey, I guess my answers didn't thrill them? Who knows. Maybe i'll win the drawing, lol

Weird... I just got a payment from them for a survey - $12. :huh: I'm not complaining but that's kind of random.

Amount: $12.00 USD
Transaction ID:
Subject: Pinecone Research Participant Payment – Study
Custom Note: Thank you for your household’s participation in survey No. 36450-1006. A payment has been deposited into your account as a thank you for your time in completing the survey. Questions about the Pay Pal service or navigation of the site should be directed to Pay Pal through their contact Pay Pal customer service link or customer service center. For all other Pinecone Research survey inquiries, feel to contact us at scott@pineconeresearch.com. Sincerely, Karen Scott

wow! thats 4 of my payments :mad: :coverlaf:

wow! thats 4 of my payments :mad: :coverlaf:

It's strange - It was just a regular run of the mill survey. :dontknow: No mention that it would have a higher payout.

It's strange - It was just a regular run of the mill survey. :dontknow: No mention that it would have a higher payout.

Did you accept the extra opportunity that they offered? It might be a payment because of that. :confused:

Did you accept the extra opportunity that they offered? It might be a payment because of that. :confused:

Yeah, but I do that every time and NEVER get a product test. I think I tested a deodorant for them once and that's it. I've been a member for a couple years.

LOL.
well I said yes even tho the payout is not that good...but I reviewed what they needed and there wasn't any personal information that they could use or could be compromised in anyway. so I said okay.

*shrugs*
either way, I still wanted to get entered into that drawing for that $$$$
!

You serious gave them that info.:eek:
Thats your login and pw to some very personal info. IDK maybe just me, but way too much personal stuff they asked for, and for a small amount too.
I can't go into it with out breaking the TOS, but hell no for me.:shake:
Plus you get into the drawing even if you decline the PT or w/e you'd cll it in this case. The drawing is for doing the survey leading up to the other thing.

You serious gave them that info.:eek:
Thats your login and pw to some very personal info. IDK maybe just me, but way too much personal stuff they asked for, and for a small amount too.
I can't go into it with out breaking the TOS, but hell no for me.:shake:
Plus you get into the drawing even if you decline the PT or w/e you'd cll it in this case. The drawing is for doing the survey leading up to the other thing.

:iagree:

...and it's not just my own personal info I'd be worried about, it's the call logs with your friends and family's phone numbers. :nono:

I just did that survey people are talking about, and all it asked me for was a bunch of questions relating to my personal ethnic/income/etc, as well as a lot of questions regarding cell phone stuff. Some of them were kind of weird. But I never got anything that seemed to personal or asked about ids/pws. Weird.

I just did that survey people are talking about, and all it asked me for was a bunch of questions relating to my personal ethnic/income/etc, as well as a lot of questions regarding cell phone stuff. Some of them were kind of weird. But I never got anything that seemed to personal or asked about ids/pws. Weird.

I declined that. That is way too personal.

Oh... I bet that's it. I call my mom and my sister on my cell. DH calls me. That's it. :lol: They can look at those records all they want. My CC info isn't stored online and they have my name and address already. I didn't see the big deal at all.

Oh... I bet that's it. I call my mom and my sister on my cell. DH calls me. That's it. :lol: They can look at those records all they want. My CC info isn't stored online and they have my name and address already. I didn't see the big deal at all.
thankfully, whatever my answers were, were not the right ones for that little project.

What little project?

Has anyone else noticed that for Pinecone, the day after you take a survey, the link disappears on the site but then it still isn't posted in your history? This has happened to me for 2 of my surveys this week which means I'm not getting paid for them. I tried emailing them but we'll see if they will read it and respond since they normally don't. Anyone else doesn't get survey notifications by email but there are survey's online?

Has anyone else noticed that for Pinecone, the day after you take a survey, the link disappears on the site but then it still isn't posted in your history? This has happened to me for 2 of my surveys this week which means I'm not getting paid for them. I tried emailing them but we'll see if they will read it and respond since they normally don't. Anyone else doesn't get survey notifications by email but there are survey's online?

I noticed that but after almost a week it shows up in my account history

You serious gave them that info.:eek:
Thats your login and pw to some very personal info. IDK maybe just me, but way too much personal stuff they asked for, and for a small amount too.
I can't go into it with out breaking the TOS, but hell no for me.:shake:
Plus you get into the drawing even if you decline the PT or w/e you'd cll it in this case. The drawing is for doing the survey leading up to the other thing.

well I have two accounts and I gave them the info for the one I don't hardly use.
I'm not worried about it. as long as they don't have my SS#, it's not a big deal.
they can look at the logs, but they can't see text messages, which is all I do on that particular phone. so it's not a big deal.
but I do know other companies are different. I do all my stuff online anyway. now had they asked for BANK or credit card info, I'd say no because who knows how they are reviewing that info.

I signed up for PC. Got the welcome email this morning. Thanks for this thread.

Rebecca

I signed up for PC. Got the welcome email this morning. Thanks for this thread.

Rebecca
congrats and welcome!!

Feel free to ask anything you need, we all ( well most of us) love to help!

Darn. Just noticed this morning I got dropped from Pinecone. Tried to log in to the website and it said invalid ID. I'm a bit sad. Been going at it for close to 2 years now. I wonder if I should try signing up again later for the $3 deal.

Darn. Just noticed this morning I got dropped from Pinecone. Tried to log in to the website and it said invalid ID. I'm a bit sad. Been going at it for close to 2 years now. I wonder if I should try signing up again later for the $3 deal.

i would think they could AT LEAST TELL people why they were dropped~

seems so rude to find out, via SURPRISE! :confused:

Darn. Just noticed this morning I got dropped from Pinecone. Tried to log in to the website and it said invalid ID. I'm a bit sad. Been going at it for close to 2 years now. I wonder if I should try signing up again later for the $3 deal.
I don't think they let you sign back up.

and I agree, super rude to just not let you log in one day after being a member for a year or two or more.

this is the way our world is now, buzz did it to me

I got kick out too from Pinecone and when I asked why couldn't log in anymore, I received an e-mail telling me that I had a family member that worked for Pinecone and thus I was disqualified, I wrote them back and told them I didn't and to re-instate me but nothing and after a number of unsuccessful attempts to get them to help me out, I gave up. :(

wow and it wasn't even true?

I got kick out too from Pinecone and when I asked why couldn't log in anymore, I received an e-mail telling me that I had a family member that worked for Pinecone and thus I was disqualified, I wrote them back and told them I didn't and to re-instate me but nothing and after a number of unsuccessful attempts to get them to help me out, I gave up. :(
wow, that is really weird, and really sucky!

I can't believe that. ( i mean, I believe you, that it happened to you, just I can't believe that they would, geesh, they really are getting low rent)

I have been a member of PCR for probably about 5 years now, and I used to get surveys at least twice a month. Since they changed the policy on $5 surveys down to $3 for new members, I haven't gotten a survey, except for the one asking my opinion if they lowered existing members. Very obnoxious to basically weed off all the old members.

That really stinks! I get surveys every once in a while, but I think they didn't even pay me for the last one I did (and it wasn't a "household question")

Did anyone get invited to Neilsen Mobile through PC? They want account info and I'm a bit leary.

wow and it wasn't even true?

Nope. I was so bummed.

Did anyone get invited to Neilsen Mobile through PC? They want account info and I'm a bit leary.



I got the same mail but i didnt give my info was kind of skeptical

I got an e-mail a little while ago asking if I belonged to any other survey sites. I said no and after that I haven't gotten another survey. I was getting about one a week. I did sign up for others but after I seen I wasn't getting anything I quit.

just got the "We have a new and exciting survey for you about your household. For this survey, we are offering a sweepstakes with the chance to win a $1000 or one of fifteen $100 cash drawings.

Please click on the link below to be taken directly to this survey. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SURVEY WILL NOT BE LISTED ON THE CURRENT STUDIES PAGE ON THE PINECONE WEBSITE. YOU MUST USE THE LINK BELOW TO ACCESS THE SURVEY"

email.... wonder if i should do it or not.... i mean, if we dont, i wonder if they will drop us. THIS SUCKS. i liked the old pinecone

i got my first ever PT from them!! im excited :)

i got my first ever PT from them!! im excited :)

Congrats! :clap:

I haven't gotten a PT in a really long time. :down:

What's PT mean?

What's PT mean?

PT=Product Test :)

you know pretty soon after too. just shows up on your doorstep.
it made my day:)

wondering whats up been getting aver 3 per mnth @ $5, and a good deal of p/t's. Said ok to the new deal @ $3bucks and I havent had a p/t or a survey since..? what is Karen doing???? Felt valued now I've become dispensible?:crying:

wondering whats up been getting aver 3 per mnth @ $5, and a good deal of p/t's. Said ok to the new deal @ $3bucks and I havent had a p/t or a survey since..? what is Karen doing???? Felt valued now I've become dispensible?:crying:

I thought we were just being asked if we would still stay if they lowered it to $3. I didn't think we were agreeing to switch now. I was asked and I said I would still be a member. Since then I've still been getting surveys for $5. Just had one yesterday.

I have not been able to get anything but an "canned" automatic message to REPEATED emails about a problem and they do not even read emails I guess because the stupid "automatic message" has NOTHING to do with the problem I asked about!
Pinecone is going downhill fast and I am not gonna get on that bus with them.

I used to LIKE Pinecone too.

Yeah, I am not too thrilled with Karen, if there really IS a Karen, either.

Well I just tried and can still log in ok but haven't heard a peep from them since shortly after filling out the survey where they asked about different payment levels and such. I guess they have realized there are people out there desperate enough to do this kind of stuff for little to nothing so why should they pay us what this is actually worth? I am at the $5 level. Not going to hold my breath on hearing from them any time soon though. I did get the thing about cell phone whatever... no freaking way. That is the last thing I have gotten.

tls

I got a sweepstakes survey, did not do and did not hear from them

I thought we were just being asked if we would still stay if they lowered it to $3. I didn't think we were agreeing to switch now. I was asked and I said I would still be a member. Since then I've still been getting surveys for $5. Just had one yesterday.

Same here.

I had a survey just the other day ..I am $5 pay and answered I would stay at $3 also...
Maybe just demographics that others arn't getting any right now...:)

Did anyone get invited to Neilsen Mobile through PC? They want account info and I'm a bit leary.

yup 2 big brother 4 me on the comp, however I did become a homescanner interesting give you the upc scanner and info, u scan purchases get points and sweeps anyone else?

yup 2 big brother 4 me on the comp, however I did become a homescanner interesting give you the upc scanner and info, u scan purchases get points and sweeps anyone else?
might b able to give an invit if anyone is interested. Have seen the invite b4

oops guess I'm confusing ppl the invite was for homescan not pinecone . if you want a link to try n find the banner for pinecone try here

http://groups.msn.com/Annikas/pinecone.msnw look around lots of good survey info and more, not as good as here of coarse but.....let me know if you like the site:)

I had a survey just the other day ..I am $5 pay and answered I would stay at $3 also...
Maybe just demographics that others arn't getting any right now...:)
I've only been doing PineCone for a month or so, and I get $3. Gotta have something to feed my CVS habit...

I never thought I would have to file a Better Business Bureau complaint against Pinecone but it looks like that is what it is going to take to get a response and/or payment out of them.
I am sorry to see Pinecone go downhill so fast.
While I might miss the "old" Pinecone, this new crappy attitude Pinecone?, not going to miss them one bit!

I never thought I would have to file a Better Business Bureau complaint against Pinecone but it looks like that is what it is going to take to get a response and/or payment out of them.
I am sorry to see Pinecone go downhill so fast.
While I might miss the "old" Pinecone, this new crappy attitude Pinecone?, not going to miss them one bit!

What is the specific problem you're having? I've always been paid the day after doing a survey without any problems.

I never thought I would have to file a Better Business Bureau complaint against Pinecone but it looks like that is what it is going to take to get a response and/or payment out of them.
I am sorry to see Pinecone go downhill so fast.
While I might miss the "old" Pinecone, this new crappy attitude Pinecone?, not going to miss them one bit!

Geeze you can't possibly be talking about anything more than 3, 4 or 5 dollars... If that tiny amount is so very important to you I know a really easy way to make it up and then some. Dumping an internet connection would be a really fast way to save some money.

tls

It is way more than 3 or 5 dollars, and now it is a matter of being ignored and no reply.
Since I am going to do an official complaint at the BBB tomorrow, you and everyone else can read the details there once I file the complaint.

This was a "big deal, exciting, unique opportunity" from Pinecone, opportunity to spend the time, do as requested and then get screwed is what it was.
Even now I will not violate the terms I agreed to, a deal is a deal to me, if not to Pinecone.
Feel free to spend as much time dicking around with Pinecone as you like- I have other plans.

I know I signed up for this, but I don't get any emails and I can't get a user name or password to work. Anybody have any ideas??????

I know I signed up for this, but I don't get any emails and I can't get a user name or password to work. Anybody have any ideas??????

Send an email !

They are really busy, sometimes it takes up to a week for them to answer an email, somethimes more, as with almost all companies, even very big ones (which Pinecone is not). A month ago I emailed Sephora and I just got a response yesterday. Companies are very busy. I don't mind getting $3, I am very pleased because the surveys I get are all very short, 20 minutes at most. Plus the PT's are great. Thats just my opinion though :nod:

I concur with voodoou. I have been a member of PCR for years (like 6 I think), and they have always been a great company to work with. A few surveys a month, quick payment, and they responded to you when you have a question/comment. Those were across the board the top three reasons people liked them. Now, they are shafting their existing surveyors. I haven't received a survey in over a month, the payments therefore are non-existant (not to mention the almost 50% drop in each payment), and they do not seem to care about reading your emails, let alone replying. I sent them an email over a month ago when I got the survey about how I feel about taking a 'pay-cut'. I sent Karen an email telling her in more detail my feelings on the issue. While I can understand not getting a response, I did get one. From her email client. Telling me "Your email message was deleted without being read on *such-and-such-a-date*". That really pissed me off. And other people are complaining about being dropped for no reason, and not getting any feedback.

For a company that exists solely on our contributions of product feedback, they should be a little more nice to us, imho.

Old Pinecone is dead. New Pinecone should die.

keep emailing karen I say, let her know how you feel. Your right we all gave alot of time and effort and we do matter.What we were telling companies mattered too! Theres no doubt theres been a change of command n more. Post what anyone gets 4 a reply. Maybe if all of us who have been with them for years email enough someone might actually get it? never know have hope n email Karen.afterall there are alot of us slickers here.....................

and theres always google to reach "Karen" ex: pinecone research company is going down hill
pinecone research member happy no, pinecone research join 2008 NO NO not anymore
pinecone research bad turns backs on loyal members. pinecone research ban banner
you'd b suprised who googles.

help yourself........

Has anyone seen a banner lately?

I haven't gotten any surveys in a while so I tried to sign in and I'm not found. BLAH!

i havent gotten a survey since i didnt respond to the "enter in a drawing" one

Has anyone seen a banner lately?

try this site for banners they keep on top of it and lots of other survey comp who pays n whos not worth your times etc
http://slickdeals.net/?sduid=0&sdtid=558518&sdfid=4&u2=http://groups.msn.com/Annikas/pinecone.msnw
post if u like it n good luck

Has anyone gotten the video test to work in their browser. I have gotten several over the past few months and get errors in both Firefox (no suitable extension) and IE (don't have a license to view content).

What am I missing?

Has anyone gotten the video test to work in their browser. I have gotten several over the past few months and get errors in both Firefox (no suitable extension) and IE (don't have a license to view content).

What am I missing?

I've been having the same problem. I know I have the player downloaded and installed so I'm not sure what the issue is. I've tried it with Firefox.

they havent been sending me as much surveys as they did a few months ago :(

Has anyone gotten the video test to work in their browser. I have gotten several over the past few months and get errors in both Firefox (no suitable extension) and IE (don't have a license to view content).

What am I missing?

I've been having the same problem. I know I have the player downloaded and installed so I'm not sure what the issue is. I've tried it with Firefox.

I am so glad I'm not alone on this! I have tried FF and IE, upgraded media player - nothing works. I have never been able to get it to work and I have gotten this test 4+ times. :annoyed:

they havent been sending me as much surveys as they did a few months ago :(

Dont feel bad. I signed up about 6 months ago and have never received a single survey. Thought maybe I signed up wrong, but nope I am currently a "member". I dont know if they flagged my account or what.

you can add me to the list who cant get the video test to work, tried firefox, IE, and Navigator, non of them worked.

Seems like I'm not the only one whom being ignored by PC. The last survey I received was on Feb. I was away and they suspended my account temporarily. I emailed Karen to get my account activated, got a reply saying it's been activated but I still couldn't log on to the PC site. Sent another email almost 3 weeks later asking why I still couldn't log on to the PC site. And got a reply saying that I requested my account to be suspended temporarily and that she just changed my status to active. But to this day (it's almost 2 months)I haven't received anything from them not even a household question. I guess it's time to move on...

I've been with them a long time....I can still log on, but I have only received a few $5 surveys this entire year, but I do get tons of non-paying household ones.

I don't even get the household ones anymore

I haven't gotten any paying surveys in a long time and have never gotten a PT from them, but now am on my second household (nonpaying) this week!

I got 2 household question sheets yesterday and one paid one!

I just got accepted a week and a half ago, and today I got my 1st survey... with a product test!! :)

just got another household ?s one with a new product idea in it....
starting to irk me because those used to be reserved for PAID surveys 1001s

I just got accepted a week and a half ago, and today I got my 1st survey... with a product test!! :)

There's no way to know if you will receive a product test after a survey unless you're saying that you did your first post product test survey today.

There's no way to know if you will receive a product test after a survey unless you're saying that you did your first post product test survey today.

I'm saying that it said at the end of the survey I took today that they were sending me the product to test. :)

I'm saying that it said at the end of the survey I took today that they were sending me the product to test. :)

Every survey says that. :comfort:

I'm saying that it said at the end of the survey I took today that they were sending me the product to test. :)

Every survey says that. :comfort:

Correct. If you read the question carefully, you will see that they are asking you if you would be 'interested' in receiving the product to test. I have answered that many, many, many times yes, and have so far received one PT, which was 3 years ago.

I've been with them a long time....I can still log on, but I have only received a few $5 surveys this entire year, but I do get tons of non-paying household ones.

I have no problem logging in either... and haven't gotten even the household survey since I don't know when. I think they just decided to screw over those of us who were getting $5 per survey, and didn't want to accept less or go to the STUPID *waste your time on a half hour survey so you can maybe win a drawing for something* system.

tls

k finally got household survey and paid $3.00 survey last week. As far as p/t's I never know when fed ex will drop by, but my great dane n Katrina rescue mutt sure let me know there here!!!! Poor guys don't even bother to get that computer signiture anymore they just mark with an X I think.Last one about jumped off the ground when the dane had her head in door looking at him @chest level n gave that deep bark :lol:

I received two household question surveys yesterday. The paid ones I haven't seen for over a month. .For awhile I was getting about one a week. I actually got the video test to work and I only have dial up so I was shocked.

I have no problem logging in either... and haven't gotten even the household survey since I don't know when. I think they just decided to screw over those of us who were getting $5 per survey, and didn't want to accept less or go to the STUPID *waste your time on a half hour survey so you can maybe win a drawing for something* system.

tls

I haven't gotten anything but the video test in a while, but I never get more than one a month. I'm still in the $5 bracket.

I was looking for a banner for my brother to join and havent seen any.. has anyone seen any?

I'm saying that it said at the end of the survey I took today that they were sending me the product to test. :)

As other people have said it never says they are sending you a product test. It asks if you would be willing to test it. It asks me at the end of every single survey and I only get the product test 1 out of 20 times. Hopefully you will actually get the item.

I was looking for a banner for my brother to join and havent seen any.. has anyone seen any?

Nothing lately. For a while they were all over anything4free.com's forum but I haven't seen them there lately.

Wow. I got a household survey today. I am stunned. I was still able to log in so knew my account wasn't locked or anything but haven't had even the household survey in close to two months. I was beginning to think they had shoved me under a rug somewhere because I said I wouldn't do surveys for less than the $5 they are paying me.

tls

I am in the $5 paying bracket and I also said not too long ago on their survey that I would not accept a lower pay on that question. Reason being, some of theirs take so long to muddle through! I figured they'd kick me out but so far they have not.

I am seeing slower amt's of survey's offered to me, but I am still getting about 1 a month. I am doing a PT now for them and the odd thing about this one is they want it back. I can only think of 1 other thing I've ever tested for them that I had to send back and that was years ago. This is about a $5 item, so it's not like it's worth anything. Must not be out on the market yet. Anyhow, I thought that was kind of odd even though I've done it once before. They only mentioned in the follow up that I'd have to send it back. I usually hang on to things for this reason. I'd be sad if I threw it away (it's empty now) before I got the follow up. Guess I would not get paid now? Just a head's up if you are testing something for them...

Oh, and I can never see the video test either that they send every so often.:omg:

Emailing the fictional Karen Scott to ask for anything like support will get your account closed too.
Same thing is you call the stupid phone number.
The next step is for checks to bounce. Pinecone is already being downgraded to "unacceptable" at several survey listing sites.
And quite a few former "clients" no longer wish to do business with Pinecone due to what was termed "reliability of data" issues.

i doubt they will bounce checks.
if you do paypal, you shouldnt have to worry either

Emailing the fictional Karen Scott to ask for anything like support will get your account closed too.
Same thing is you call the stupid phone number.
The next step is for checks to bounce. Pinecone is already being downgraded to "unacceptable" at several survey listing sites.
And quite a few former "clients" no longer wish to do business with Pinecone due to what was termed "reliability of data" issues.

Could you please share with the rest of us where this info came from so we can prepare ourselves and also to satisfy curiousity. thanks

In this very thread you are reading longtime members are saying that have had their accounts closed for daring to email a question. There are many threads on many internet sites about the same thing.
As well as other issues that Pinecone is having.
They are not hard to find.

never mind sorry

In this very thread you are reading longtime members are saying that have had their accounts closed for daring to email a question. There are many threads on many internet sites about the same thing.
As well as other issues that Pinecone is having.
They are not hard to find.


I've emailed with questions a couple of times, and guess what.... I'm still a member.

Steps to the death of an internet survey company.

Becomes unresponsive to members.

Fewer surveys.

Payment problems and/or lame excuses for delays.

A "chance" to win instead of actual pay.

Pay reductions.

Surveys get passed to "partner" sites more and more.


Longer surveys for less reward.
Often a suspicious amount of info is gathered before you
"do not qualify".


Anyone who has been doing stuff on the internet for a while has seen em come and seen em go and those that go follow such a predictable pattern.
Some last, some don't.


Anyone remember Beenz?
Gad, that was fun while it lasted!

I amnot sure what people expect here. I have been a member of several sites about the same amount of time: Pinecone, SurveySpot, SurveySavy, Ipos and a few others. S

Pinceone by far pays the best per survey. You get paid for every one, including household or updates to profile surveys. I can get a few a month, sometimes will not see one for a few months. I have earned almost as much from SurveySpot but have done 10x as many surveys there, maybe more then that.

As far as SurveySavy, very poor all around. They will have you spend 10 minutes to 30 minutes on a PAID survey then tell you that you do not qualify. Ipos is the worst, they onlyoffer points and thir stupid bonus point/prize game never lets you win. You nbeat it, or complete the thing even and are tild you did not win anything.

The GARB thing also does not seem worth it. I have yet to ether see the email in time to be one of the few luck ones or to actually get anything for answering their questions. Maybe 3 or 4 emails from them in a year.

Anyways, Pinevone does pay. Just because a survey asks if you would test a product, it also says IF the manufacturer wants to send it to you. I have recevied afew from them. A few also from other sites as well.

Pinceone by far pays the best per survey. You get paid for every one, including household or updates to profile surveys. I can get a few a month, sometimes will not see one for a few months.

You are 100% incorrect. You do not receive compensation for household questions. In fact many of the recent 'household' questions resemble more and more like the normal surveys. They are quite clear in this fact as well on their website. I have no idea where you came up with this pile of malarkey.

ive made a ton more on surveyspot then on here. about 13 or 15 dollars here, vs $119 on surveyspot now, with at least another 40 or 50 on the way 'in the next 4-6 weeks'

I don't think anyone disputes that Pinecone was THE best, back in the day.
I certainly thought so.
But no one disputes that Pinecone has changed either.
Opinions about Pinecone have changed, for some people.
Some people are still happy.
We must agree to disagree.
Really, is this worth fighting about?

Keeping an eye on how internet companies, be they survey or another kind of site, treats the people they depend on, is valuable information. I found what other posters had to say very helpful, both positive and negative comments, and have made my decision.
Thank you.

I am in the $5 paying bracket and I also said not too long ago on their survey that I would not accept a lower pay on that question. Reason being, some of theirs take so long to muddle through! I figured they'd kick me out but so far they have not.

I am seeing slower amt's of survey's offered to me, but I am still getting about 1 a month. I am doing a PT now for them and the odd thing about this one is they want it back. I can only think of 1 other thing I've ever tested for them that I had to send back and that was years ago. This is about a $5 item, so it's not like it's worth anything. Must not be out on the market yet. Anyhow, I thought that was kind of odd even though I've done it once before. They only mentioned in the follow up that I'd have to send it back. I usually hang on to things for this reason. I'd be sad if I threw it away (it's empty now) before I got the follow up. Guess I would not get paid now? Just a head's up if you are testing something for them...

Oh, and I can never see the video test either that they send every so often.:omg:

Well usually they want things back so they can check out wear and tear and such things... but something you use up and end up with an empty container... weird. I guess maybe they don't want the container floating around out there.

tls

I just received this weekend a paid survey after over a month. I'm in the $5 bracket. Hoping to get the pt. I almost thought they dropped me cause I didn't want to accept the sweepstakes or lower pay.

yeah - thats exactly it- they dont want the packaging of products "leaking" into the public when they arent even on shelves.

I'm saying that it said at the end of the survey I took today that they were sending me the product to test. :)

Every survey says that. :comfort:

Correct. If you read the question carefully, you will see that they are asking you if you would be 'interested' in receiving the product to test. I have answered that many, many, many times yes, and have so far received one PT, which was 3 years ago.


I think I might have read what they said pretty carefully... seeing as the product test just arrived via Fed Ex. :lol:

Thanks for the heads-up that they sometimes make it look like they're offering you a PT when they aren't. :hug:

You are 100% incorrect. You do not receive compensation for household questions. In fact many of the recent 'household' questions resemble more and more like the normal surveys. They are quite clear in this fact as well on their website. I have no idea where you came up with this pile of malarkey.

Wow, did you get up on the wrong side of the world today? Lighten up. I made a mistake. We now get an entry to drawings for them. Better then nothing, all other sites also give you nothing for providing updates to your profile. That's how they qualify you for surveys, at least they work on this. A lot better thehn lets say SuevrySavvy or Ipos that make you waste 20 minutes on a survey then after getting your input they tell you that you did not qualify. I expect that from SurveySpot mostly because of the number of survesy they send PLUS they tend to let you know within a minute or two if you qualify.

I never said that anyone lied here, or personally called a member out about their post. Unfortunatly there are members here like you that do not understand the concept these forums revolve around.

Reminds me of another thread here where I complained about a sites compensation and a bunch of idiots defended the site - as if I made my problems up. Learn how to respect other peoples opinions and also to point out nicely they may be mistaken.

I think I might have read what they said pretty carefully... seeing as the product test just arrived via Fed Ex. :lol:



The fact that you got the product still doesn't change the fact that they never tell you they are going to send a product. They only ask. I get the identical message in every survey and only sometimes get the product test.

I have made 9 dollars this month already and have a new study email in my box now. They are doing great for me.

Good luck all.

I was noticing also today that it is alot worse. I've only received 3 paying surveys this year so far. I get the nonpaying household questions about once or twice a month though.

Last year I made $55 with them and that's not even doing all the surveys that were offered. The year before (the year I started), just in 3 months I made $30. Doesn't look like those days will be coming back any time soon.

Wow, did you get up on the wrong side of the world today? Lighten up. I made a mistake. We now get an entry to drawings for them. Better then nothing, all other sites also give you nothing for providing updates to your profile. That's how they qualify you for surveys, at least they work on this. A lot better thehn lets say SuevrySavvy or Ipos that make you waste 20 minutes on a survey then after getting your input they tell you that you did not qualify. I expect that from SurveySpot mostly because of the number of survesy they send PLUS they tend to let you know within a minute or two if you qualify.

I never said that anyone lied here, or personally called a member out about their post. Unfortunatly there are members here like you that do not understand the concept these forums revolve around.

Reminds me of another thread here where I complained about a sites compensation and a bunch of idiots defended the site - as if I made my problems up. Learn how to respect other peoples opinions and also to point out nicely they may be mistaken.

I don't recall ever getting "entered into drawings" for doing household surveys.:confused:
I've been with them awhile and am still on the 5$ payout. But as far as I know, I never get entered for doing HH surveys. Maybe it's something with the newer members.:dontknow:

The fact that you got the product still doesn't change the fact that they never tell you they are going to send a product. They only ask. I get the identical message in every survey and only sometimes get the product test.

You don't know what MY survey said at the end; you weren't here to read it. :P

ive made about 180 bucks from pinecone (with 4 products) within the last....almost a year?

i love pinecone

i would gladly do surveyspot (get lots of surveys from them every day still) if they did paypal...but they don't so w/e/ :(

You don't know what MY survey said at the end; you weren't here to read it. :P

I know that they all say the same thing in regard to product tests. I don't think they made an exception for you and you won't find anyone here who agrees that they told you they would send you a product test.

You don't know what MY survey said at the end; you weren't here to read it. :P

Yes I do. It said something along the lines of "Would you be interested in receiving a product test from one of our clients?"

I know that they all say the same thing in regard to product tests. I don't think they made an exception for you and you won't find anyone here who agrees that they told you they would send you a product test.

Ditto.

Yes I do. It said something along the lines of "Would you be interested in receiving a product test from one of our clients?"



Ditto.

Correct. If someone takes that to mean we *will* send something to you, then... well.. can't do anything about that; none of us will ever convince anyone they may have just mis-read something. But they have NEVER EVER said they ARE GOING to send something. Sometimes I get it, more often, I don't.

And yesterday I had my first household survey in 6 weeks or so. And this morning a paid survey. Haven't had anything from them in AGES. I am at the $5 level.

tls

I got a PT a few weeks ago and and I got my box to ship it back yesterday.

I didnt care since I didnt like the product anyways.

Do they pay you another time for shipping it back? Never got a PT before.

Just to illustrate the dwindling surveys over the past few months:
05/02/2008 35751-1001 $5.00
03/03/2008 35085-1002 $5.00
02/19/2008 35125-1001 $5.00
01/22/2008 34654-1001 $5.00
12/13/2007 34144-1001 $5.00
12/07/2007 34191-1001 $5.00
11/20/2007 33740-1001 $5.00
11/02/2007 33563-1001 $5.00
10/26/2007 33433-1001 $5.00
10/15/2007 33173-1001 $5.00
09/20/2007 28307-1001 $5.00
09/12/2007 28545-1001 $5.00

Two a month, to one a month, to one every other month, to none a month. My account is still active, and I have only received one household survey in the past 40 days or so.

I get a survey each week, one paying, one not paying, on a rare occasion I will get 2 of each in a week.

Just to illustrate the dwindling surveys over the past few months:
05/02/2008 35751-1001 $5.00

Two a month, to one a month, to one every other month, to none a month. My account is still active, and I have only received one household survey in the past 40 days or so.

My history is similar. I haven't received a paid survey since the end of April, and was historically receiving two per month. I've only received one household survey in the same time span as yours. I'm disappointed, but I was afraid this would happen once 'that survey' came out.

ok well now they are just getting shady... i got excited because i got a 1001 email (paid survey) only to find out that it was a household questions with no pay... grrr. so does that mean 3001s are now the paid ones?

I got all excited over a survey envite today but they were only
offering sweepstakes entry and the survey was loooong. I bailed.

I thought we made it clear to them - sweeps drawings don't keep
our attention...

I got a PT a few weeks ago and and I got my box to ship it back yesterday.

I didnt care since I didnt like the product anyways.

Do they pay you another time for shipping it back? Never got a PT before.


they don't pay you to send it back, but they will pay you for the follow up survey.

I only get $3 / survey :( Is there something I have to do or can do in order to get bumped up to the $5 level?

I just got 3 paid surveys yesterday and 1 household. I just signed in to the website and there they were. They usually don't email me saying I have survey available. I love Pinecone though. They've been great with all the surveys they give me and I've received a couple of PTs from them already. I already got paid for the 3 I took yesterday. It's too bad that some people are having problems with them lately. Hopefully they pick it up for everyone.

I only get $3 / survey :( Is there something I have to do or can do in order to get bumped up to the $5 level?

you cant be bumped up. they pay you at the rate you signed up at. and for now it looks like some of the $5 people are even being bumped DOWN

I hadn't gotten anything from them in a while until yesterday. I got two household and two regular paying surveys. I hope they keep it up!

I got a PT a few weeks ago and and I got my box to ship it back yesterday.

I didnt care since I didnt like the product anyways.

Do they pay you another time for shipping it back? Never got a PT before.

See I am confused about that too.
people are saying they don't pay you to ship back but at the end of my survey, they asked would I send it back. I said yes and they said that they would send a box to ship it in and that I'd get a check too.
I took that to mean an additional check.
who knows.
I dont keep track. I do know that I get surveys every week.
I am at the $3 level.

i just said yesterday i would send my PT back and today i was paid $3...

See I am confused about that too.
people are saying they don't pay you to ship back but at the end of my survey, they asked would I send it back. I said yes and they said that they would send a box to ship it in and that I'd get a check too.
I took that to mean an additional check.
who knows.
I dont keep track. I do know that I get surveys every week.
I am at the $3 level.

You get the initial pay for the survey and then I have always been paid for sending back and then for the follow up survey. There have been some PT's where they don't require returning the item or the box or whatever. I think for the most part they want them back when they are still in development mode and don't want packaging possibly floating around out there, although I did two for products not on the market yet, did not have to send anything back for one of them... and have been looking everywhere ever since for the products in stores because I absolutely LOVED them... but they are still not available. I HATE product tests when it's something I really like and then can't find it!

tls

You get the initial pay for the survey and then I have always been paid for sending back and then for the follow up survey. There have been some PT's where they don't require returning the item or the box or whatever. I think for the most part they want them back when they are still in development mode and don't want packaging possibly floating around out there, although I did two for products not on the market yet, did not have to send anything back for one of them... and have been looking everywhere ever since for the products in stores because I absolutely LOVED them... but they are still not available. I HATE product tests when it's something I really like and then can't find it!

tls

I've only had one where they wanted the product sent back, and they provided me with return postage sticker.

I did a product test for them for a wonderful lotion, and I still have no idea what it was! It's so annoying to find a product that you love and then not be able to locate it again.

You get the initial pay for the survey and then I have always been paid for sending back and then for the follow up survey. There have been some PT's where they don't require returning the item or the box or whatever. I think for the most part they want them back when they are still in development mode and don't want packaging possibly floating around out there, although I did two for products not on the market yet, did not have to send anything back for one of them... and have been looking everywhere ever since for the products in stores because I absolutely LOVED them... but they are still not available. I HATE product tests when it's something I really like and then can't find it!

tls

thanks.
this is the first product test they wanted me to send back so I didn't know what was going on.

I got a survey today! Still coming to me, at least.

I have been getting surveys left and right usually everyday. I got 4 in a row today. Checks promptly mailed and rec;d. Today they accepted me for a Neilson's cellphone study should pay up to around $65. I have gotten products to test at home but mostly food so no return asked. I think Kitty Litter is on its way but I said in the study I do not use it and it kept asking the questions anyway.

I have been getting surveys left and right usually everyday. I got 4 in a row today. Checks promptly mailed and rec;d. Today they accepted***** . I have gotten products to test at home but mostly food so no return asked. I think *******is on its way but I said in the study I do not use it and it kept asking the questions anyway.

You're not supposed to talk about specifics about studies. You agree to that every time you do a survey.

You're not supposed to talk about specifics about studies. You agree to that every time you do a survey.

God forbid someone does something to piss them off! They might stop giving surveys out to its longtime loyal members to save a couple of bucks. Oh wait!

I've only had one where they wanted the product sent back, and they provided me with return postage sticker.

I did a product test for them for a wonderful lotion, and I still have no idea what it was! It's so annoying to find a product that you love and then not be able to locate it again.

Yep I should have added that they DO provide return postage!

tls

You're not supposed to talk about specifics about studies. You agree to that every time you do a survey.

Well the cellphone thing is a long running one we all know about and almost no one accepts because of the info they want. It's not worth it to most of us for them to be doing what they want to do for a YEAR for a lousy total of $65. Seems to me the initial offer for this one was less than $65 so I am thinking they are really having a hard time getting people to do it. My privacy is worth at least ten times that to me, lol.
What totally cracks me up about this one is how they try to make it sound like some HUGE honor and a really big deal... when all they want to do is snoop on your cellphone usage.

tls

Things have been really slow for me with PC lately then last week I got a $5 survey and again another $5 survey. Then last night I got a househols questionair pretty much asking me if I wanted to join the new group that were getting $3 per survey and sweepstakes drawing. Said spaces were limited and if I choose not join join at this time I probably would not get the chance later to join this great group. And I would likely not be getting many more of those $5 surveys. Did anyone else get this questionaire?

Things have been really slow for me with PC lately then last week I got a $5 survey and again another $5 survey. Then last night I got a househols questionair pretty much asking me if I wanted to join the new group that were getting $3 per survey and sweepstakes drawing. Said spaces were limited and if I choose not join join at this time I probably would not get the chance later to join this great group. And I would likely not be getting many more of those $5 surveys. Did anyone else get this questionaire?

Yeah, I got that too. I don't know what to say. I've only gotten two or three paying surveys in the past few months. If it means more surveys in the long run, I guess $3 will add up.

Checked my account today and had this waiting. Did anyone else get this? I don't know how I should respond since I've been on the $5 level for years don't want to be bumped down. If I sign up, I better start receiving more surveys because things as been really slow lately. I did however get invited to a $25 focus group the other day.


A cash plus incentive plan is quickly being adopted by the majority of our members. In this plan, members are compensated with a $3 cash incentive for each completed survey and entered into a bi-weekly sweepstake for a chance to win $500. In addition, members are entered into the bi-weekly sweepstakes every time that they complete household questions, which were formerly uncompensated.

We'd like to offer you the opportunity to join PineCone's new and fast growing cash plus sweepstakes panel. Soon this plan will be the only incentive plan offered by PineCone Research and the number of available spaces on this panel are quickly filling up. As a valued member of the PineCone Research community we're offering you a guaranteed spot on this new panel should you elect to switch to the new plan today. You may opt to continue to remain on the $5 cash incentive plan however, please be advised that on this plan you may not see the same volume of requests as you did in years previous and by electing to stay you may forfeit your opportunity to be a part of our new offer and panel. We value your participation and would like to make sure you continue to have the opportunity to share in the PineCone membership experience you've come to know from being a part of our online panel community.

I got the same thing. Don't really know what to do.

Checked my account today and had this waiting. Did anyone else get this? I don't know how I should respond since I've been on the $5 level for years don't want to be bumped down.


A cash plus incentive plan is quickly being adopted by the majority of our members. In this plan, members are compensated with a $3 cash incentive for each completed survey and entered into a bi-weekly sweepstake for a chance to win $500. In addition, members are entered into the bi-weekly sweepstakes every time that they complete household questions, which were formerly uncompensated.

We'd like to offer you the opportunity to join PineCone's new and fast growing cash plus sweepstakes panel. Soon this plan will be the only incentive plan offered by PineCone Research and the number of available spaces on this panel are quickly filling up. As a valued member of the PineCone Research community we're offering you a guaranteed spot on this new panel should you elect to switch to the new plan today. You may opt to continue to remain on the $5 cash incentive plan however, please be advised that on this plan you may not see the same volume of requests as you did in years previous and by electing to stay you may forfeit your opportunity to be a part of our new offer and panel. We value your participation and would like to make sure you continue to have the opportunity to share in the PineCone membership experience you've come to know from being a part of our online panel community.

I did not get but sure we all will. Everything in life is going down except your pay of course is not going up lol.

Soon this plan will be the only incentive plan offered by PineCone Research and the number of available spaces on this panel are quickly filling up.

It's either take it, or say good bye to Pinecone.

I turned 25 and all my surveys went away.

I guess Im too old now. :lmao:

I had that survey waiting for me as well. I went ahead and marked to keep me at the $5 level. I'm just not interested in making $3 per survey when I had been getting $5 for so long. As far as the drawings, well, I figure I'd never win. Besides, they didn't mention the odds of winning, so I'm guessing they are pretty dismal. If they drop me, I'd be sad, but I'd get over it. I only averaged about two a month at the peak anyway.

Same email from Pinecone. I am sure they are not lowering their fees to host the surveys, simply paying out less while pocketing more. Cash drawings...humph...I bet. I have never won these from a survey site ever, and seriously doubt they actually give any of it away. Although I will get flamed by the three SD'ers who claim to win these from various sites every single week.

So after venting....Pinecone has been good to me for a number of years, I decided to take the reduction to $3. They told me to bend over and I said "no problem"...

we are all bending over while they stand up

I am new to this. Is pine cone good to join? If yes, how can I join Pine Cone? Tx.

I am new to this. Is pine cone good to join? If yes, how can I join Pine Cone? Tx.

It was. It's not anymore. But if you enjoy being sodomized and wish to join, you'll have to find a banner at random sites. People used to list the sites with the banners on Slickdeals, but after the way we've been treated lately by Pinecone, most of those people are too busy looking for coupons for Preparation H.

It was. It's not anymore. But if you enjoy being sodomized and wish to join, you'll have to find a banner at random sites. People used to list the sites with the banners on Slickdeals, but after the way we've been treated lately by Pinecone, most of those people are too busy looking for coupons for Preparation H.

:lmao:

I'm staring at the screen right now, thinking, I really don't like it like that... should I click yes, or no?

Edited to add- I took it. Might get more surveys! Lets hope. Now, off to find some Prep H deals.

It was. It's not anymore. But if you enjoy being sodomized and wish to join, you'll have to find a banner at random sites. People used to list the sites with the banners on Slickdeals, but after the way we've been treated lately by Pinecone, most of those people are too busy looking for coupons for Preparation H.

Thanks Phonic. So, what are the good sites for paid surveys? are there any?

It's either take it, or say good bye to Pinecone.

Well they can bite my chubby little butt. I have NEVER believed ANY of these survey sites that say they give money away in a drawing ever actually do it... how do we know? Have any of you EVER *Won* a drawing from a survey company or know anyone who has? The quality of the survey results is going to drop drastically because no one is going to be willing to spend the amount of time needed to complete these surveys in a thoughtful and honest manner.

bye bye Pinecone!

tls

Thanks Phonic. So, what are the good sites for paid surveys? are there any?

Pinecone was the best. And even at the lousy $3 a survey it's still better than what others pay. But it STILL SUCKS.

tls

Pinecone was the best. And even at the lousy $3 a survey it's still better than what others pay. But it STILL SUCKS.

tls

So, does pinecone still pay promptly?

So, does pinecone still pay promptly?

Since they haven't sent me a $5 survey in a while, I can't comment for sure about now, but I would assume yes. There was never an issue before regarding payment. Always received within a couple days.

Well they can bite my chubby little butt. I have NEVER believed ANY of these survey sites that say they give money away in a drawing ever actually do it... how do we know? Have any of you EVER *Won* a drawing from a survey company or know anyone who has? The quality of the survey results is going to drop drastically because no one is going to be willing to spend the amount of time needed to complete these surveys in a thoughtful and honest manner.

bye bye Pinecone!

tls

I'm bummed about the whole sweepstakes aspect also but I think it has to do with their new association with the Nielsen company. That's when everything started to slide.

As for anyone winning the sweepstakes... 'back in the day' - as in three or four years ago, I 'won' $15 or $25 or something from Greenfield. Nada since though. Even had $2 expire because I never qualified for anything and couldn't cash in.

Since they haven't sent me a $5 survey in a while, I can't comment for sure about now, but I would assume yes. There was never an issue before regarding payment. Always received within a couple days.

Thanks

I just opened my mail to the infamous "screw the loyal older members of your panel" email.:angry:

I don't know what I am going to do, but I am leaning towards staying $5.

I mean, I like sweepstakes, in general :unsure:

but I would not accept a sweeps for a contract to be paid, or for wages, for work performed, IRL,
I see no difference here.

I rarely get PTs from them anymore anyway,
but I do have a young friend who does quite well with them (better demographics than me)
and this decision will screw him either way.

The whole tone of that survey, with its threats for less work if you don't sign up for less pay...

well...it just SUCKS!!! :mad:

Ms Pinecone....I know you must read here....this SUCKS BIG TIME!!!!!

is that legal? I got the letter also and at a loss as to what to do. It sounds like if you keep the five dollar one you will get dropped anyway. So it is basically saying do or die. Also we knew this was coming.

is that legal? I got the letter also and at a loss as to what to do. It sounds like if you keep the five dollar one you will get dropped anyway. So it is basically saying do or die. Also we knew this was coming.

yes, we had forewarning that it was coming,
that survey we took a while back, asking what we wanted, was SO biased in the way it asked the questions, it made steam come from my ears.
And no matter how we answered, Ms Pinecone got us to say what she wanted to hear.
There was not a way to really say, I prefer it to stay $5 per survey, but you could pay me less often to save paper and postage...etc.

well, there are people who will work for less $, though as tlspencer stated above "The quality of the survey results is going to drop drastically because no one is going to be willing to spend the amount of time needed to complete these surveys in a thoughtful and honest manner."

I agree with you. It is just sad with gas going up and everything else going down and everyone treating those who make little so poorly. For example, the mystery shops are rude. Some of them are nice, but many are really mean.

Hmm, I didn't get that email yet, although I'm sure I will. I have been at the $5 for years and never get less than 2 or 3 paid surveys a week. I assume that will all change now. Maybe it is because their panel is getting so big? It sucks regardless. Plenty of other places that pay way more than $3 per survey and they send you invites more often as well. Oh well, take it or leave it I guess. I wonder if they will still have banners up to join, or if they will only be using current members. You could ride it out at $5 til whenever they decide to drop you and then reapply from a $3 banner if they still have them. It looks like they didn't actually say you will be dropped for sure, but they want you to think you will. Of course I am sure they will send less invites to those who stay at the $5 for obvious reasons, unless they can't fill the demos otherwise. Hmm.

I've been at the $5 stage for a long time. But the way it looks is that when it changes, there will only be a limited amount of spots to get in, but if you accept the offer now you're guaranteed. So even though I was grinding my teeth the whole time, I accepted it. :huh:

I didn't get the email yet so decided to log on to my account. And lo and behold the survey asking if I want to move down to the $3 level was sitting waiting for me!
That is only the second time in all the years I have been with PC that I had a survey waiting for me on my homepage and didnt get an email first.
I very reluctantly went down to the $3 level. Really a shame how PC went down the tubes....

Had that waiting on me as well. Never sent it in a email though. Not sure what to do. I average one or two surveys a month now. Sometimes it picks up to 4+

I only use my monies made on them to pay for my pogo, ebay, or Itunes things. So if I can get more by picking $3 I would have more chances to save up.

I checked the site, and found the dreaded survey. I hated to take the $3, but I guess it's better than nothing. It's been a long time since I got a $5 survey from them anyway.

I won a $100 sweepstakes once with Consumer Link. I haven't taken a survey from them for a long time though. I figured my chances of winning more than once were slim to none. Plus, I usually don't find sweepstakes entries worth my time.

Well I just got my letter of doom. I have been with them since 1999 or so way before I ever came here. Back then you were paid $5 just for blinking, a check in mail telling you what to do and a box of product fedexed right behind it an easy $15 a project and 2 surveys a week. Good for buying food or gas.
Now we cant afford to buy either and we get the shaft after all the info we have given them to help their market research for cheap.
I know I will be cut off for my loyalty after all this time. They dont realize they will always hurt themselves more than they hurt you. When people don't fill-out anything at all cause it is not worth the time for a sweepstakes, they will lose their clients as they cannot guarantee a "base pool". So I guess PCR is just another victim of the economy and trying to make victims of us as it "crashes and burns".

Let's see, cut in pay, weasel worded emails and surveys that vaguely threaten, crap treatment of longtime panelists, the ever unpopular "chance" to win - whats not to like?

Take it or leave it!, makes a person feel all warm and fuzzy inside just to think of Pinecone doesn't it? So much fun to grovel for a few bucks.

If you settle for taking crap from a company then companies that treat people like crap is what you get. That simple.

I'm out.
They could offer 10.00 a survey, after this, and I STILL wouldn't do it.

I remember a while back getting a survey asking if I would rather get $3 and sweepstakes or if I liked the #5 guarantee.. .I said $5 of course... then I get this today

A cash plus incentive plan is quickly being adopted by the majority of our members. In this plan, members are compensated with a $3 cash incentive for each completed survey and entered into a bi-weekly sweepstake for a chance to win $500. In addition, members are entered into the bi-weekly sweepstakes every time that they complete household questions, which were formerly uncompensated.

We'd like to offer you the opportunity to join PineCone's new and fast growing cash plus sweepstakes panel. Soon this plan will be the only incentive plan offered by PineCone Research and the number of available spaces on this panel are quickly filling up. As a valued member of the PineCone Research community we're offering you a guaranteed spot on this new panel should you elect to switch to the new plan today. You may opt to continue to remain on the $5 cash incentive plan however, please be advised that on this plan you may not see the same volume of requests as you did in years previous and by electing to stay you may forfeit your opportunity to be a part of our new offer and panel. We value your participation and would like to make sure you continue to have the opportunity to share in the PineCone membership experience you've come to know from being a part of our online panel community.

Would you like to become a part of the cash plus sweepstakes plan as described above?


Same as you guys have got I guess... Its pretty much, go to $3 or F*CK OFF. I haven't gotten a $5 survery in a month.. guess I know why now. and I had to go to my homepage to get this, they didnt even send a link. So Sad.... I really enjoyed PineCone.. I hope the "sweepstakes" are at least fair, or at least exist.. ugh... i hate this.

I hope those of you who went for the $3 bait realize that those surveys are going to keep getting longer and longer (hell, the $5 ones were getting ridiculous), and I wouldn't be surprised if they cut the pay again down the line with the economy going where it's going.

I went with the $5 option--if they drop me, so be it.

tls- my DH won $50 from an industry-specific survey he did. So many in his field are technophobes that I told him he is required to do every survey they send him. Chances are good he'll win! His surveys (when they pay) are typically $20 ones. :bigeye: So yeah... I trained him to respond. :whip:

I think the *getting too big* thing was a result of them posting all the $3 banners and finding out people were willing to waste time for so little money. They still charge customers the same, pay us less, and rake in the profit. I have not yet gotten the *decide to let us screw you* email nor is it in my account, but I know it will come soon. That or they have already stuck me in the back of the closet anyway as I have gotten just one household survey and one paying survey last week, the first of those in close to two months.

tls

I agree with tlspencer. Think about it. Back in the good ol' days, it was hard to get into PCR. First you had to find the banner, then you had to apply and hope to make the cut. I know it took numerous attempts for people to get in. BUT, once you got in, it was easy sailing. Simple surveys, plethora of PTs, quick payments, and support staff willing to help.
Now, I don't know if the Nielson takeover was recent like people are saying, never bothered to check who the parent company was in the past, but I can definitely guarantee you that SOMETHING has changed in the top management. Someone decided, 'Hey, why are we paying people $5, when we can probably get people to do it for less?' So they first went out and went crazy with banner postings (hell, they put one on SLICKDEALS), and got thousands of new members. THEN, they figured, to see how the old group would take it. And by your responses, they guessed right. You have NO right to bitch and moan if you bend over and say Thank You Sir May I Have Another after your pounding. Would it have mattered, or changed anything in the long run, if everyone here would have stood up and said that we are not going to be treated like migrant farm workers? Would they have cared if we all refused to accept an almost 50% pay cut? Probably not. But at least we would have said something about ourselves. That we aren't going to settle for doing more work for less money. That we aren't going to tolerate being treated like trash after years of hard honest work. That we have enough self-respect to not practically beg for their leftovers. I for one told them to go f*ck themselves. I could care less about the money. It's the principle. But for those of you who care about the money, think about it this way. Back when it was $5 for a 15 minute survey, you were averaging $20 an hour. Not bad. Now it's $3 for close to a 30 minute survey. $6 an hour..... Is your butt feeling sore yet? They couldn't hire people and pay them this little. And by accepting a lower pay, you have proven to them that people are so desperate to be a 'panelist' that they will work for less. So in a few months to a year, expect the amount to drop, or goto straight sweepstakes only. Why pay $3 a survey to 1000 people ($3000) when you can offer $1000 to one. Or better yet, maybe $1000 in coupons for one of their clients, I bet they can save money that way. And based on your responses, people will say 'OK'. And even if some of you get tired of it, and quit, they will have so many new people joining that it won't matter. If 100 people a week quit, but they get 100 people more a week to signup for less, it's a win-win.

I picked $5. $3 per survey isn't worth it, and I doubt their sweepstakes is legit.

Too bad, they were a good company.

I got the email asking me to switch....I haven't taken it yet.

I really don't want to switch to $3. I have been a member for over 2 years I think.
At the same time the reason why I DONT want to switch is, when referrals were open I invited my friend....practically same exact age range etc.....
They are saying that you won't get as many surveys at the $5 rate....but right now I don't think the $3 are either, according to my friend.

I was always under the $3 category. but I guess it sucks. it literally takes me no time to do these surveys and I have to be honest, I am glad some of you said no to the $3 because I have gotten way more PTs in the last month than I ever got before.
free food
free cleaning products
free storage thingies

yes I like pinecone. thanks for saying no you guys! LOL
I kid.
it does suck I guess.

Oh and I also wanted to add that I have been paid to return the product, and for the follow up. It was a couple weeks after I had completed the follow up and they sent me an email saying the company wanted the product back and if I still had it, they would pay me to return it.

Considering I have no income $3 is still better then none. I've been seeing more and more companies only paying ONE dollar per survey lately. Two at the most.

So I switched if it means I get more surveys at $3 then the 2 I got a month at $5 so be it. If at a later time they decided that even that $3 is too much I'll write Karen and tell her to stick it where the sun don't shine.

Considering I have no income $3 is still better then none. I've been seeing more and more companies only paying ONE dollar per survey lately. Two at the most.

So I switched if it means I get more surveys at $3 then the 2 I got a month at $5 so be it. If at a later time they decided that even that $3 is too much I'll write Karen and tell her to stick it where the sun don't shine.
Yeah, I HATE Minefield and Testspin. "Please sit and tell us what you think for an hour, for 1 dollar, that may or may not actually ever be posted into your account, thanks!" is what the opening message from those two places surveys should be.

Yeah, I HATE Minefield and Testspin. "Please sit and tell us what you think for an hour, for 1 dollar, that may or may not actually ever be posted into your account, thanks!" is what the opening message from those two places surveys should be.

that is exactly why I don't mess with testspin. Never heard of the other but sounds like they are as bad as testspin!

$3 for around 15 min at PC isn't bad at all compaired to them!

that is exactly why I don't mess with testspin. Never heard of the other but sounds like they are as bad as testspin!

$3 for around 15 min at PC isn't bad at all compaired to them!
minefield is worse, because sometimes you don't even "qualify" after doing the survey for like 30 minutes. ARGH!!!

$3 for around 15 min at PC isn't bad at all compaired to them!

And Stalin killed a lot more people then Hitler, but that doesn't make the latter a nice guy.

And Stalin killed a lot more people then Hitler, but that doesn't make the latter a nice guy.

There are other factors that make me say what I said as well. One being I can't work and this is just a way for me to have a little "fun" money to spend.

I've been with PC for almost 2 years now so yeah it sucks BUT if I told them to stick it for dropping it to $3 I would just be hurting myself. None of the surveys take over 20min. And if taking $3 a survey means I would get more then the two $5 a month I have been getting for the past 4 to 5 months I'll take it.

$3 is better then NONE. I've looked at quite a few survey sites and most don't pay more then $3 and their surveys are longer. Plus one a couple I've used I don't get but one survey every couple months.

And with the cost of everything on the raise I can't afford to give up what I get from PC. If I did I wouldn't have nothing left for entertainment money.

I was always under the $3 category. but I guess it sucks. it literally takes me no time to do these surveys and I have to be honest, I am glad some of you said no to the $3 because I have gotten way more PTs in the last month than I ever got before.
free food
free cleaning products
free storage thingies

yes I like pinecone. thanks for saying no you guys! LOL
I kid.
it does suck I guess.

:mad:
making the choice just started a couple of days ago ...

I kinda think my survey invites went way down when Pinecone decided to have a $3 level,
long before they ever asked if I would switch, I think they already put the long-time members with a $5 contract on the back burner in favor of having lower paid members have more opportunity.

I think this whole switch has been underhanded and unfair to long-time panelists in how it has been executed.

:mad:
making the choice just started a couple of days ago ...

I kinda think my survey invites went way down when Pinecone decided to have a $3 level,
long before they ever asked if I would switch, I think they already put the long-time members with a $5 contract on the back burner in favor of having lower paid members have more opportunity.

I think this whole switch has been underhanded and unfair to long-time panelists in how it has been executed.

And if you look at how they did it, you can see that if we all had stood up in the beginning, we might have been able to make a difference. They had no 'contractual' need to continue to pay us $5 a survey. If they wanted to, they could have just emailed everyone saying the check was going down to $3 for any future surveys across the board. But they didn't. They asked people their opinions, and based on that made a decision. As well as adding new members at the lower level. This shows that they still needed us for a time and didn't want to piss us off. Of course they slowly stopped using us as the $3 panelists filled up with new recruits and switch overs, and now they don't need us at all. They have been 'generous' in giving us the option to either switch or get our accounts deleted now, making it clear that the $3 panel will be the 'only one' they will have 'soon'. If we all would have stood our ground months ago and demanded the same pay for the same work, they would have been forced to appease us, or risk not having enough surveys done, and losing their clients. Too late now though.

And if you look at how they did it, you can see that if we all had stood up in the beginning, we might have been able to make a difference. They had no 'contractual' need to continue to pay us $5 a survey. If they wanted to, they could have just emailed everyone saying the check was going down to $3 for any future surveys across the board. But they didn't. They asked people their opinions, and based on that made a decision. As well as adding new members at the lower level. This shows that they still needed us for a time and didn't want to piss us off. Of course they slowly stopped using us as the $3 panelists filled up with new recruits and switch overs, and now they don't need us at all. They have been 'generous' in giving us the option to either switch or get our accounts deleted now, making it clear that the $3 panel will be the 'only one' they will have 'soon'. If we all would have stood our ground months ago and demanded the same pay for the same work, they would have been forced to appease us, or risk not having enough surveys done, and losing their clients. Too late now though.

When we had that survey about our opinions...
there was no way to "stand up"
...the survey answer choices were all biased to give the response they wanted.
That survey pissed me off enough to write to Ms Pinecone then, as the survey didn't allow me to even give my real opinion.

I am beginning to think that this is not the final step of their process.
Since it says there are limited spaces in the "new $3 + sweeps" deal, there may be a new level of "$2 + sweeps" or "just sweeps" members and next thing you know, they will be moving everyone down to the next level.

It is just sad that what was once one of the best has taken such tactics.

that is exactly why I don't mess with testspin. Never heard of the other but sounds like they are as bad as testspin!

$3 for around 15 min at PC isn't bad at all compaired to them!

I do well with TestSpin. About $500 a year. Never made it to the $600 cutoff, but do make at least the $500. I guess it all has to do with demos.
I think the worst is Greenfield (not counting the IA's though). Their invites are $1 for 30 minutes or more survey length. They must have bumped their head .. hard..and several times. Who the hell is gonna do a 30 min survey for a dollar?! One I got the other day from them was 50 min for a dollar and they always send ones for 30 min, 25 min, for a sweeps entry. Yea right. I don't even see how they can think that people will do these and send out invites like that. I assume though, someone somewhere is doing them. Surely aint me though. Not to mention they take eons to pay. Even with PayPal now, it still takes 8 weeks for it to hit your acct.

I just logged into my PC acct and I still don't have that survey waiting. It'll show up sooner or later .. or i'll just stop receiving invites. I haven't seen any slowdown though. They come in at the same rate as it's always been.

I think the worst is Greenfield (not counting the IA's though). Their invites are $1 for 30 minutes or more survey length. .



That's what testspin usually sends me. Actually more like $1 for a 45min survey. I have only done one Greenfield and it was for $20 or $30. It took me around 6 months and quite a few emails before I ever got the check. That was the last time I ever did a survey for them.

PC is the only company that has paid me within 4 days time(not counting surveys taken on a Fri-Sun). Most take a week to a month. Well IF they are worth doing at all.

So the new $3 members explains why I haven't been receiving as many surveys or PTs from pinecone. I was wondering why the decline. These surveys take me anywhere from 20-30 minutes to complete. I made sure I answered as honestly as I could and always provided meaningful written responses. So I was already not thrilled to be doing them for $5.00. Now they want to drop it down to $3.00? This is turning out not to be worth it for me. I guess if I received more PTs or if the surveys were shorter, then yeah...but as of now, that's not the case.

Pinecone needs to realize that they get what they pay for and so if you cheapen the compensation, expect the feedback to decline as well.

It's been a good run, but I can see that things are headed for the worse.

This totally sucks becouse the wording is threatening to those on the $5 one. It implys that the $3 one will be the only incentive offered soon- and for those on $5 they will be dropped of panel eventually unless they drop to $3.
The whole wording of this email is set to confuse those on the $5 plan- sort of implying they will be dropped eventually- and i am not totally sure if that is really true.
So its either taking a chance by replying no- or dropping to $3 an still be certain your on panel in future.
Very bad wording of email.
By the way- my survey offers have not dropped off at all and i am on $5 one. I still get at least 2 a month to do.
Not sure what i should do now.

This totally sucks becouse the wording is threatening to those on the $5 one. It implys that the $3 one will be the only incentive offered soon- and for those on $5 they will be dropped of panel eventually unless they drop to $3.
The whole wording of this email is set to confuse those on the $5 plan- sort of implying they will be dropped eventually- and i am not totally sure if that is really true.
So its either taking a chance by replying no- or dropping to $3 an still be certain your on panel in future.
Very bad wording of email.
By the way- my survey offers have not dropped off at all and i am on $5 one. I still get at least 2 a month to do.
Not sure what i should do now.

Yea, it's like, they are not coming out and saying you will be dropped if you don't take the $3 option, but they are trying to make you think you will. I guess they hope people will assume they'll be dropped if they don't switch and therefore will switch over. Just seems shady all the way around.

Yea, it's like, they are not coming out and saying you will be dropped if you don't take the $3 option, but they are trying to make you think you will. I guess they hope people will assume they'll be dropped if they don't switch and therefore will switch over. Just seems shady all the way around.

its all going to the dogs now :( this letter is so pc & euphemistic, it should run for office!

i said yes out of fear. My job is not keeping up with rising costs and I need all the help i can get :(

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=852016 for the pinecone cheerleaders :shake:

Those that hate Greenfield i did a survey that was supposed to take 45 mins for $10 it was one of those interactive ones where you participate with others. The survey lasted 90 mins. I kept the original invite after 2 months of asking where my money was they sent $5 to my paypal. I told them it was wrong and sent them theoriginal survey invite They just told that it was $5 and never responded after that.

Kaiser Sherwood was the guys name and when I called their corporate office. The receptionist told me that he was lazy and they had alot of respondents complain about him.

well, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself

Well, after being with Pinecone for so long- this new change is horrible. The e-mail to me was pretty much a take it or leave it option, so I of course opted to stay for $3.00 rather than $0.00 and no product testing. Pinecone has been very kind to me and it use to be one of those sites where things remained steady and I felt it was an even exchange with them. They pay $5.00 and I provide my time, disclose my information that usually remains private, and at the same time provide an honest reply. I also never disclosed with anyone information about the products I tested or the product "ideas" they had. I felt for that $5,00 was a fair amount and now the $3.00 leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

I do hope that in the end the volume of surveys go up and make up for the shorted $2.00, but only time will tell. Does everything have to change for the negative these days? It's getting tiresome.

Received the email, basically have no choice to change to $3.

Why did they even bother giving some of us a survey about this idea of a new change? They knew they were going to do this, we all saw the banners were available on many sites (but for $3 a survey). They can still get their quota and pay less.
What I don't like is how it was done. First, the survey many of us rec'vd. And now, ' the take the $3 or get no more surveys'. It would be nice if they Grandfathered long-time loyal participants. But, there is no reason for them to do that. :(


Of course, if this trend continues,it will simply be only 'sweeps' entries.

Why did they even bother giving some of us a survey about this idea of a new change? They knew they were going to do this, we all saw the banners were available on many sites (but for $3 a survey). They can still get their quota and pay less.
What I don't like is how it was done. First, the survey many of us rec'vd. And now, ' the take the $3 or get no more surveys'. It would be nice if they Grandfathered long-time loyal participants. But, there is no reason for them to do that. :(


Of course, if this trend continues,it will simply be only 'sweeps' entries.

i agree- like survey spot - and i only do the surveys with a chance to make money!

Why did they even bother giving some of us a survey about this idea of a new change? They knew they were going to do this, we all saw the banners were available on many sites (but for $3 a survey). They can still get their quota and pay less.
What I don't like is how it was done. First, the survey many of us rec'vd. And now, ' the take the $3 or get no more surveys'. It would be nice if they Grandfathered long-time loyal participants. But, there is no reason for them to do that. :(


Of course, if this trend continues,it will simply be only 'sweeps' entries.

Theres plenty of idiots who would spend 45 mins on a survey for the potential to win. I say potential since noone I have seen ever gets paid. They will still meet the quotas for their clients if they paid people in monopoly money.

I feel the same was everyone else here - just got the email BTW. I said yes to $3 but I have to say, I doubt I'll be as through in my reporting and sharing of opinions. I have had only a few PT's but a regular 2-4 surveys a month. I enjoyed the extra $ and feeling like I was part of developing and marketing new products. As a bonus, they always pay quickly.

*shrug*
see what happens and go from there but my Pinecone loyalty is all but gone now. Its a shame they lost so many experienced panelists for $2.

it doesn't say how long we have to decide this

I have a friend who wants to join. Are there banners up anywhere does anyone know? Thanks.

I just grudgingly accepted the drop to $3 with the 'sweepstakes'. :( Pinecone used to always be my favorite survey site by a long shot and always looked forward to their surveys. My faith has been floundering with the lack of surveys recently and now this latest development just may be the one that breaks the camels back. In all honesty, II would do these surveys for $3, its just I hate the way that this is being handled and it feels like a slap in the face to long time members. Its like we are disposable after all the time we put into the surveys. Hey, the $5 members are a large reason why Pinecone got so large. Looks like SurveySpot is now my new #1.

Once again like I stated earlier:
If you sign up to accept the $3 demotion, you have no right to complain, because your action is justifying everything they are doing. If everyone accepts less money for the same amount of work, what reason in the world would they have to pay you more?

I chose to keep the $5 incentive instead of being demoted down to the $3 level...
If and when they decide to drop my account because I didn't choose to go with the $3/Sweepstakes incentive, I'll just sign up again in the future.

In other words, I want to keep getting my $5 incentive for as long as I possibly can... :)

With so many newcomers that accepted the $3 and people switching from $5 to $3 I think they will be choosing them for the surveys unfortunately. :(

I chose to keep the $5 incentive instead of being demoted down to the $3 level...
If and when they decide to drop my account because I didn't choose to go with the $3/Sweepstakes incentive, I'll just sign up again in the future.

In other words, I want to keep getting my $5 incentive for as long as I possibly can... :)

I used the same philosophy, BPyser. Kept the $5 option and will sign up again if they drop me.

I have been with them awhile and haven't gotten anything the last month or two. Wonder if I am off their list for some reason. I don't mind doing the surveys for a little less if they lead to pts often, but I get burned out of giving all my info and never getting the tests.

Why did they even bother giving some of us a survey about this idea of a new change? They knew they were going to do this, we all saw the banners were available on many sites (but for $3 a survey). They can still get their quota and pay less.
What I don't like is how it was done. First, the survey many of us rec'vd. And now, ' the take the $3 or get no more surveys'. It would be nice if they Grandfathered long-time loyal participants. But, there is no reason for them to do that. :(


Of course, if this trend continues,it will simply be only 'sweeps' entries.

I think they gave us the survey to make us think that the majority wanted the chance at a sweeps. I'm certain that only a small percentage of their members are SD or similar sites, so most of the $5 members will probably think.... "OK, this is what the majority voted for".

I think it sucks. I elected not to downgrade, purely on principle.... I'd rather spend the time entering contests and IWGs. :lol:

I used the same philosophy, BPyser. Kept the $5 option and will sign up again if they drop me.

I think once you're dropped you can't re-join (I remembered reading that and thinking, WTF?), but I could be wrong. It's happened before. :lol:

I think once you're dropped you can't re-join (I remembered reading that and thinking, WTF?), but I could be wrong. It's happened before. :lol:

I was dropped after I had my son nov/2006 after not completing sureys for 2 months or so (I was at $5). I wrote and asked to have my account reopened and was told I would need to sign up again after finding a banner. Of course when I did sign back up it was at $3 , but they re-accepted me. So it is possible.:)

I chose to keep the $5 incentive instead of being demoted down to the $3 level...
If and when they decide to drop my account because I didn't choose to go with the $3/Sweepstakes incentive, I'll just sign up again in the future.

In other words, I want to keep getting my $5 incentive for as long as I possibly can... :)


After thinking about it, I'm going to do the same thing.

And I think it's really underhanded and dirty how they orchestrated this entire plan. They sent existing members a request to recruit new members for their panel. So I, along with many others, promoted the heck out of PC and got new members to join. Now they are going to use those same people to replace us, if we don't work for less.

Once again like I stated earlier:
If you sign up to accept the $3 demotion, you have no right to complain, because your action is justifying everything they are doing. If everyone accepts less money for the same amount of work, what reason in the world would they have to pay you more?

You do not have a choice. As they say, eventually they will move everyone to this method, and if you elect to remain at the $3 level, you will be out of the program. So don't say that we don't have a right to complain, of course we do.

I went ahead & did the $3 thing... I think it's sad, but oh well. It said we would get more surveys with the $3 so hopefully that will be true.. I just hope there will be more product testing and less surveys that take FOREVER to finish... This was my favorite company but now I'm getting sad.

I was dropped after I had my son nov/2006 after not completing sureys for 2 months or so (I was at $5). I wrote and asked to have my account reopened and was told I would need to sign up again after finding a banner. Of course when I did sign back up it was at $3 , but they re-accepted me. So it is possible.:)

Ahhhhh OK. Maybe it was Bzz then. Sorry for the misinformation :(

Those that hate Greenfield i did a survey that was supposed to take 45 mins for $10 it was one of those interactive ones where you participate with others. The survey lasted 90 mins. I kept the original invite after 2 months of asking where my money was they sent $5 to my paypal. I told them it was wrong and sent them theoriginal survey invite They just told that it was $5 and never responded after that.

Kaiser Sherwood was the guys name and when I called their corporate office. The receptionist told me that he was lazy and they had alot of respondents complain about him.

That is horrible in so many ways!

I just got the email too to switch. I clicked no since "hell no, you jackass" wasn't an option.

I hate it when surveys do sweeps. Bleh.. only ever won one of them.. very annoying. I'd much prefer guaranteed money.

I just got the email, I said no. I only get a few per month so if they want to drop me all together, I am busy enough with other survey places.

What ticks me off the most about this is how they make it seem like everybody wanted the $3 and sweeps option. The first line of the choice "survey" -- A cash plus incentive plan is quickly being adopted by the majority of our members. WTF?? It's being picked because it's the only option available. Ugh, fear mongerers. I can't believe that anybody who was getting $5 chose this option voluntarily. Be aware, if everybody chooses the $3 option, you won't be getting more surveys per month than before.

Ya lol like anyone would prefer $3 a survey and a minimal chance at winning something more over $5.

now I got a survey from them

i switched over to $3. they found a sucker in me.

Uggg I just got the dreaded survey to switch also, I didn't choose anything I just closed it! I think I am going to say NO I haven't been getting many survey's lately anyways and the few I have got have been a pain in the arse! They have gotten way longer and there is no way I will only take $3 over $5 to fill all that out! So if almost everyone says no to the $3 thing who will take there surveys?

Uggg I just got the dreaded survey to switch also, I didn't choose anything I just closed it! I think I am going to say NO I haven't been getting many survey's lately anyways and the few I have got have been a pain in the arse! They have gotten way longer and there is no way I will only take $3 over $5 to fill all that out! So if almost everyone says no to the $3 thing who will take there surveys?

Alot of people unfortunately will even work for sweepstake entries.

So if almost everyone says no to the $3 thing who will take there surveys?

The people who signed up at $3 to begin with

I signed up for the 3.00 also. It is what it is. I've had some opps to try new items so, I'm happy with that.

i switched over to $3. they found a sucker in me.

Ditto - I would rather get $3 and an ocassional product test than stick with the $5 program and get zilch. Doesn't matter either way because Pinecone really has started to suck lately and I don't have near the respect for it that I used to.

But $3 is better than $0.

Ditto - I would rather get $3 and an ocassional product test than stick with the $5 program and get zilch. Doesn't matter either way because Pinecone really has started to suck lately and I don't have near the respect for it that I used to.

But $3 is better than $0.

Touche', but my 25-30 minutes of time is worth more to me than $3.00 every few weeks. Some of those surveys really got to me when they were $5.00, at $3.00, there's no way that I'm interested.

Like someone else said, you have some people that would do them soley for the "sweepstakes" entry. But that's not me. My time is limited and valuable and I'd rather do something else with it. I suppose it varies from person to person.

Penguinlover I too was like you and have not made a decision, but am leaning toward becoming a sucker, afterall, there's one born every minute

I just got the dreaded survey. I'm really ticked off with PC! :blowup:
I've been a member for about 6 or 7 years now and I've done every survey, household questions and PT (and follow-up surveys) that they've asked me to do, devoting tons of time for them and this is how they're going to treat me?! :mad:
I just closed it without finishing it so I can think about it. I'd love to just tell them to shove it, but I'm not working and the $5/survey was a life saver income for me.:crying: So as much as it sickens me, the $3 is better than $0 and I know that they're counting on that.:chairbas: :smack: :angry2: (I never win anything so that's useless to me. :rolleyes: )
*much sadness*:down:

OK I am MADDDDD. I tried to log in to my account and I couldn't get in. I emailed Pinecone to find out what the problem is and received this:

Thank you for your email.

Periodically we have found it necessary to refresh the composition of
our research panel in order to stay current with changes in the general
population and to provide clients with the broadest possible spectrum of
consumer opinions. In doing so, on occasion we have had to discontinue
the membership of some of our panelists.

Your household was on the list for deactivation and subsequently removed
from the panel.

Although we are unable to reactivate your membership, we appreciate your
past participation and interest in the panel.

Sincerely,

Im stickin with them. I first joined in Feb or something for the $3/survey, so long as i keep on getting around $18 a month and so far like 5 PT's, I really have no ill feelings towards them. If things take a turn for the worse in my case, I may have to think about leaving, but as for now, this extra money is helping me fill up my motorcycle with gas.

Someone started a more in-depth discussion in the Lounge.

I said NO. Twice. There is absolutely no guarantee that you will
get more surveys by choosing $3. The odds of winning one of 15
sweepstakes prizes is probably 1 in half a million.

They stopped giving me fewer surveys about 3 months ago. So I'm
supposed to complete 2 surveys to get just under what they used
to pay me for 1??

This is not the only way to make money as any good SD'er knows. I
feel like anyone agreeing to $3 is a scab. (Scab: n. person who crosses
a picket line.) *Not trying to insult anyone, it's just a feeling that we
should stand united.

You guys should just be happy they didn't remove from the panel completely and not even tell you about it!!!

Bleh. Also got the damn e-mail for the survey.

Someone started a more in-depth discussion in the Lounge.

I said NO. Twice. There is absolutely no guarantee that you will
get more surveys by choosing $3. The odds of winning one of 15
sweepstakes prizes is probably 1 in half a million.

They stopped giving me fewer surveys about 3 months ago. So I'm
supposed to complete 2 surveys to get just under what they used
to pay me for 1??

This is not the only way to make money as any good SD'er knows. I
feel like anyone agreeing to $3 is a scab. (Scab: n. person who crosses
a picket line.)

I concur with you on all points (as a stated in my previous posts). Especially the scab one.