A note about Pinecone Research Surveys

If you are a survey hound, you have likely heard of Pinecone Research. For those that don't know, the only way to become a member of Pinecone is to click on one of their banners, which are known for being elusive. The reason many of us wish to become members is because they pay $3. for each survey you qualify for and complete. It is against the rules for Pinecone members to tell people where to find their banners, so I won't. I may suggest certain websites that may be of interest to those looking for survey companies, wink, wink :) But first, there has been alot of chatter about Pinecone recently, so I thought I'd fill you in.

Pinecone chatter- It has been said that Pinecone is now looking for some specific types of people. Ages 18-24, male, any race excepting white. This doesn't mean you should forget it if you don't fit into that demographic. I am a 30 yr old female and I consider myself multi-ethnic. I get a couple survey invites each week. I have been paid several times since Oct. '07.

Websites of interest- I will go into more detail about some of these sites later, but here are some websites you may be interested in if you are looking for Pinecone banners:

Volition
Online Sweepstakes.com

Free Amazon Gift Cards

 This is my most popular post, and is way overdue for an update. Updating May 5, 2011

This month I have earned several $10. Amazon gift certificates by doing surveys and signing up for websites. I love it! I can't use the money to pay rent, but I can buy nearly anything my family needs- including toilet paper! So I've decided to earn as much Amazon cash as I can. I am looking for survey and other sites where I can earn the gift cards, and have found several. Some I've mentioned already in my blog but I will list all those that offer Amazon codes here as well. Ill add to this list as I find more!
Note: Although I may give referral codes for some of these, please know that each site I list is legitimate and you do not need to refer anyone to earn your Amazon GC. (Though sometimes it helps you earn more :).
Updated 1/19/08
List of places you can earn Amazon money:

Survey Savvy- Survey site where you complete surveys. You can redeem your points for Amazon Gift Certificates. I like this one.

Datatelligence Online-Complete surveys to earn points to spend on Amazon GC's. This one is okay, I don't get many surveys but I know others who get alot.

Weekly Reader Insiders (Teachers)- This is a survey site for teachers. You do surveys for points, and can redeem your points for a $10. Amazon gift card. Can earn one in 1-2 days if determined. When you sign up, please give my referral code: OHSACADEMY193


Weekly Reader Insiders (Kids & Teens)- Kids and Teens can sign up here. You earn points for surveys that you can redeem for a $10. Amazon GC. Can earn one in 1-2 days. When you sign up, please use my daughters referral code: PONYF1RE454

Lightspeed- You can earn $10. or $20. Amazon GC. It usually takes me a couple months to earn, depends on how many surveys you take. You could earn in as little as a month. I received $10. Amazon code in Nov.'07.

Epoll- Earn Amazon gift codes. This is a new one for me, so not sure how long it takes. Update 12/26/07- I have not received any surveys from this site yet. Not worth joining, I think.

National Geographic Explorer Panel- For teachers: Join the panel! I joined and I think only answered one survey and got a $10. Amazon gift certificate in my email a week later. To join the panel they ask you about 10 survey questions. Took me about 4 minutes. Note-Sometimes you get an Amazon GC, and sometimes you get something else.

Survey sites

You may have seen ads online claiming you can make hundreds or thousands just by sitting at your computer and answering surveys. And you only have to pay $39.95 for a list of the companies to register with!! That is bunk. You don't need to pay a thing to join a survey company, and you sure aren't going to make hundreds or thousands each month doing surveys. But it can be fun, and you can make a little money. I have tried lots of companies and found several I am happy with. When I have more time I'm going to check out some others, but for now here are my top choices:

Lightspeed Panel- You earn points for completing surveys and can use them to get gift certificates, PayPal cash (which you can deposit into your bank account), and other items. I have received $25. to my PayPal account as well as gotten to review 2 new air freshener products. I didn't get to keep the products, but had my house smelling fresh for a month for free!

Pinecone Research- You get paid by PayPal or check for completing surveys. I have been with them a little over a month and have already received a check. The only way to sign up with this coveted company is to click on one of their banner ads, which they run every few months. I have seen their banners at online-sweepstakes.com on several occasions.

SurveyPolice- This isn't a survey website, but a website that will tell you about most, if not all, of the survey companies online! You can find out which are legitimate, what other folks think of them, and more! I recently found this site, and of course it is free! A must visit for newbies!