How do you answer ...

[jaws77461]

Hi,
I've been doing surveys a couple of months, and have a question.

When a survey asks "Have you done any surveys on xxx subject in xxx time period?" how do you answer that?

What I've been doing is:
1. keeping a list (by date and survey #, under each group I'm a member of) of the surveys I've been sent, with what the basic topic was about
2. whether I qualified for the survey or not

I answer the question according to whether I've completed a survey on that topic with the group that sent the email for the survey ... which is not necessarily the company that is conducting the survey.

I don't want to get blacklisted, so what's the best way to handle this type of question?

Thanks!
jaws

[busiem2002]

I have faced such situations as well but have always said yes.They still offer me products to test.But some companies immediately screen you off.So fingers crossed.

[KBLover]

I generally put no. I don't think they can track what you do for OTHER survey companies.

If I've done a survey they are talking about for the same site/survey that's asking, then I'll put yes - if I remember.

Otherwise, I don't worry about it.

[jellyfish]

I always answer no. I don't think it is fair to disqualify someone just because they have done a similar survey recently. Therefore, no guilt on my part.

[kell.b]

Most of the time I tell the truth. Sometimes I've answered no and been screened out, other times I've answered yes and completed the survey. Think it just depends who they are looking for regards to age, job, live etc.

[flutelaura]

If we want to be appropriately compensated for taking surveys - we must be WORTH their time. If we advocate dishonesty, then it stands to reason firms will have more reason not to trust - that will lead to lower rewards.

I implore anyone who takes surveys to be implicitly honest - only then can firms rely on the results statistically. And of course, we will be worth more money!

I do know of one company that does screen participants to verify answers over multiple survey experiences. I have been with this firm for many years and am compensated hundreds of dollars PER survey - one per month. WHY? Everytime I was tested and proven, my worth as a surveyer increased exponentially.

Plus, we aint supposed ta lie!

[jellyfish]

Yes, we may be WORTH more money, but that sure doesn't mean they're going to PAY us more money.

What company are you with that you get paid hundreds per month?

[pattyjj]

I keep a calendar by my computer and write down the surveys I've completed on the day I complete them.

[KBLover]

Yes, we may be WORTH more money, but that sure doesn't mean they're going to PAY us more money.

What company are you with that you get paid hundreds per month?

I notice you didn't get a reply.

Makes me wonder.

[jellyfish]

Yes, we may be WORTH more money, but that sure doesn't mean they're going to PAY us more money.

What company are you with that you get paid hundreds per month?

I notice you didn't get a reply.

Makes me wonder.

Same here.

[Dantheman]

always someone claiming something out of the ordinary.

I don't lie, but if someone asks me "did you go to McDonalds in the last 4 weeks" and 5 weeks ago I went 5 times, and I'm not entirely sure it was 5 weeks ago and could of been 4, then maybe means yes.

Sort of like a job interview
----

Lately I was disqualified for a survey I had 80% completed, invested much time in because it asked me did I here every thing in the video 100%
no chance to replay it.

I had to adjust my volume for the beginning since there was no sound check, so I said I heard 90% of it.
They disqualified me for not being able to hear the whole video! I wasted all that time because they couldn't program their surveys.

Don't let them get you to give them info for free based on technicalities that are their own fault.

[Box-in-Jack]

I always answer no. I don't think it is fair to disqualify someone just because they have done a similar survey recently. Therefore, no guilt on my part.

This makes no sense whatsoever.
You're allowing your greed for personal incentives to override their need for accurate/useful information; you're the exact reason that they have to employ screening tactics.
'You don't think it's fair, therefore you feel no guilt'; and you carry the crucifix banner?

[Box-in-Jack]

If we advocate dishonesty, then it stands to reason firms will have more reason not to trust - that will lead to lower rewards.

I implore anyone who takes surveys to be implicitly honest - only then can firms rely on the results statistically. And of course, we will be worth more money!

Absolutely Flutelaura. Well said!

[jellyfish]

I always answer no. I don't think it is fair to disqualify someone just because they have done a similar survey recently. Therefore, no guilt on my part.

This makes no sense whatsoever.
You're allowing your greed for personal incentives to override their need for accurate/useful information; you're the exact reason that they have to employ screening tactics.
'You don't think it's fair, therefore you feel no guilt'; and you carry the crucifix banner?

Seems like you're following me around here with personal attacks. I will not answer to you.

[QWERTY]

What a bunch a horsehockey!!!! When asked if you've recently completed a similar survey ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS say no - I SAID NO!!!! These companies are rolling in the big bucks while they pay us a pittance to take these surveys. I've seen them offer a dime. A stinkin DIME for God sakes!!! As far as I'm concerned it's none of their GD business if I've recently taken a similar survey. Considering the 4 years of garbage I've put up with from so many of these companies, this tiny "indiscretion" is miniscule and hardly worth mentioning.

That said, that is the only question I fudge on. That's inspite of the fact I don't qualify for 79% of the surveys I'm invited to complete and 3% of those I'm qualified for I loose because of some tech error. Then there's the payments you get weeks late, the multitude of unanswered support questions, the outright fraud from sites, and the topper - getting booted from a site simply by calmly and politely asking, "where's the $22 you've owed me for SEVEN MONTHS? (MyView) To put it nicely, we are dealing with a pretty shabby unscrupulous industry. Wake up and smell the dung people!

The single bright spot in the sess pool? Pinecone. They aren't my biggest money maker but, they have consistantly been the stellar performer in my eyes. They don't send me a survey unless I'm qualified for it, they've answered every question I've asked, THEY PAY ON TIME EVERYTIME, and I've never had a tech issue with them. It's a shame other survey companies can't do business the Pinecone way. We'd all be better off.