Opinion Outpost Quick Thoughts App for iPad

Opinion Outpost has a new way to share your opinions! If you have an iPad you can install this app and start taking surveys that range from $1-$3 each. You can use these rewards to purchase iTunes gift cards. Here is the breakdown of what this app has to offer:

• After earning $10, you’ll be able to redeem your iTunes® credit. 
• Use your gift cards for the music, movies, apps, TV shows and books you love. 
• Over 1000 surveys available
• Earn up to $3.00 per survey
• Most surveys can be completed in a very short period of time.

•  Signing up is easy and safe. 
• Must be 18 years or older and U.S. resident to participate.

Surveys Via Postal Mail & Survey Participation

Do you ever get surveys in the mail? Some of the survey sites I participate in not only send surveys via email but also via postal mail. They usually compensate you with an entry to a sweepstakes, one of them sends me coupons that are relevant with my answers to that survey. So if I filled out a survey that was talking about what cough medicine I use, after I submit that survey I will receive coupons for perhaps Tylenol or NyQuil. They usually arrive within 4-6 weeks, and are high value coupons most of the time.

I usually receive 1-3 postal surveys per month, but some months I may not get any at all. I don't usually mind filling out these surveys unless they are extremely long and tedious. In that case I usually just toss them in my recycling bin. You maybe thinking that doing this might jeopardize my participation on the panel, but in actuality most survey companies state in the FAQ/help section of their website that participation in their surveys is voluntary.

Here are a few examples from a few survey sites:

Opinion Outpost:

What if I don't want to take a particular survey?
We hope you will want to participate in all survey invitations, but there is no pressure to complete a survey. We may send reminder e-mails in case you have simply forgotten to take a survey. It is up to you if you don't want to take a particular survey; hopefully you will be able to respond to the next invitation.

Socratic Forum:

How frequently do I have to participate?

It is completely up to you! There is no minimum number of times you must participate in our surveys, and you can cancel your membership at any time.

Opinion Square

Do I have to take all the surveys you send me?

No. Every survey is absolutely voluntary. If you don't have time or aren't interested, simply delete the e-mail. But remember, the more surveys you take, the more rewards you can earn.

With that being said, there are some survey panels that want your opinion frequently and if you are inactive for too long, usually between 3-6 months, they may mark you as inactive and remove your account. This will vary from survey site to survey site so you will want to check with each one you are a member of if you have a tendency to miss surveys for an extended amount of time.

Below is an example:

Surveys.com:

How often will I be invited to take a survey?

We usually contact you no more than 2-3 times per month. You are under no obligation to participate in any survey; however please note, if after several attempts you do not participate in any surveys, we may consider you an inactive member and inactivate your membership in the Surveys.com online community.

Pinecone Research:

Do you ever remove members for missing surveys?

We routinely monitor member participation. Members that are identified as "at risk for removal " are notified of this via e-mail. Those who are unable to maintain acceptable participation levels thereafter are removed from the panel.

This doesn't mean that you are a bad survey taker, it may just mean that you are too busy in your everyday life to participate as much as you like. It has happened to me before, I was taking classes and working full-time and just couldn't find time to take every survey that came into my inbox. I did try to take as many as I found time too but consequently I was removed from a panel. I didn't take very many of their surveys and they flagged for being inactive. I never remember reading a notification of my removal, but then again my inbox was pushing over 1000 emails. I figure when I do have enough time to participate more frequently I will register again. It can happen to the best of us!

New Rewards Program From Opinion Outpost

Opinion Outpost introduces a new rewards program featuring Amazon.com gift codes and a Citi prepaid debit card. You will still be able to request a check until the end of the year but they will soon be phasing out checks at the beginning of the new year. You can currently redeem your points via check or Amazon.com gift codes.

I have been a member of Opinion Outpost for a little over three years and had no problem redeeming my points for a check. According to Ojae Barnes, Director of Opinion Outpost, "This process was slow and frustrating for everyone and we feel our new options will be a vast improvement." Although I agree the Amazon gift codes are a good addition, I am not so sure about the Citi prepaid debit card. Some people find prepaid debit cards more of a hassle then helpful. If I were to redeem my points for a Citi prepaid debit card I would make sure I had a substantial amount before doing so, not only because of the fee but also so that it won't be as much of a hassle to use.

What is your opinion of this change? Do you prefer getting paid via check or are you excited about the prepaid debit card? Or maybe you are wondering why move to a prepaid debit card when going through PayPal is faster and safer, I know I've been wondering about that question myself!

Special thanks to Lacie, read her post here!

Opinion OutPost Changing Minimum Cashout?

There has been some talk that Opinion Outpost may be changing the minimum cashout amount. Other member have stated when they logged in they got the following message in their members area:

No more waiting !!

Now you may redeem your Opinion Points
for Amazon.com® Gift Card* claim codes with a minimum of 10 Opinion Points ($1).
The claim code will be delivered instantly for immediate redemption on Amazon.com

The Amazon.com® website is the place to find and discover anything you want to buy online at a great price. Amazon.com's huge selection includes products in Books, Electronics, Music, MP3 Downloads, DVD, Home & Garden, Apparel & Accessories, Beauty, and more.

Another member showed that they have now set up the rewards section to look something like this, at least the text part of it:

Redemption Options for Opinion Points

>> Request an Amazon.com® Gift Card* claim code
* Minimum is 10 Opinion Points or $1
* The claim code will be delivered instantly for immediate redemption on Amazon.com

Amazon.com My Claim Codes >>>

>> Request a Check !
* Minimum is 150 Opinion Points or $15
* Please allow 4-8 weeks for processing and delivery

My Checks >>>

When I logged in I did see either of what was stated above, it was just the normal minimum 50 Opinion Points to cash out for $5 page. The page itself was redone a little bit but no mention of Amazon gift card codes or the increase to cash out at 150 points ($15). Maybe they are slowing integrating it into the system? Have any of you gotten this message in your members area? What do you think about them adding Amazon and increasing the check amount to $15?

Join Orbit Insiders!

Do you love Orbit Gum as much as I do? Would you like to share your opinion about Orbit Gum and its packaging? You may also be given the opportunity to test Orbit Gum before it hits the stores and tell them what you like or dislike about it.

I joined earlier this week when I was invited during a survey I took through Opinion Outpost. I have already participated in polls and discussions about Orbit Gum . I was also invited to try out a new type of Orbit gum before it goes public, I just got the pack of gum today. Don't miss what's going on this week at Orbit Insiders:

This week it's all about 35's; 35 pieces of Orbit that is, in our new Big Pak. Login and take a quick Poll, and then head over to the Big Pak Premiere Activity and let us know what you think about the new Big Pak packaging and advertising. We want to hear all of your juicy feedback – don't be shy!

Click here to see if you qualify to join Orbit Insiders!

Opinion Outpost Payment & Bulletin

I requested a $20.00 payment from Opinion Outpost a about a month ago, this will be my first payment from them. I received the check in the mail last week, please click here if you would like to see my payment proof.

Opinion Outpost has improved on the amount of surveys they send out compared to a year ago, at least I personally saw an increase. They also improved the look of their website, as well as making it easier to navigate. You may have also noticed they implemented a "Thank You Rewards" system, they give you a choice of an instant game, donation or sweepstakes when you don't qualify for a survey.

Opinion Outpost sent out a bulletinbulletin in late February. In the Winter 2009 bulletin they answer questions about how to receive more surveys that they you will qualify for and how their rewards system works when you don't qualify for a survey. Late checks are also addressed - If you have been waiting a while for your check please read this post.

Opinion Outpost Update

After completing a couple surveys for Opinion Outpost the other day I saw a message posted in my members section. The message was stating that they want to make sure checks are promptly sent to the members who have requested them. They also went on to say that if you experience a problem with the processing of your check they would like you to contact by calling them at 1-877-254-1234 or by emailing them at panel@opinionoutpost(dot)com. They will look into and immediately rectify the situation.

It seems like Opinion Outpost really wants members to be happy with how they are processing payments, which is defiantly good to know! Your2cents should take a few pointers from Opinion Outpost concerning their payment processing, it's been over 2 months since I requested my check and still have not received it. I requested it on 12/2/2008 and it just got sent out 2/6/2009. I thought they said they were improving the way they process payments? The first check I received from Your2cents, 7/29/2007, was sent out within 3 weeks, it looks like the processing time has gotten worse not better.

I like their surveys and product tests but they really need to speed things up. Let's hope that after they are finished with the whole new point system it will get better. I still am not sure what to think about the point system. I haven't been invited to a point survey as of yet so I can't tell if it's going to be a good or bad change, cash is always better in my opinion.

Opinion Outpost "Thank You Rewards"

Opinion Outpost now has a new reward system if you don't qualify for a survey, you can choose either a small donation to charity, an instant win game, or an entry into their sweepstakes. Here is a screen shot of what the rewards area looks like for those of you who haven't seen it:

I have chosen the instant win game every time hoping maybe I can win the $50 prize but it seems that every time I do I get the following message:

Survey Status
We’re sorry. You did not win the $50.00 cash prize.
Please try again on another survey to win!
Please look for more survey opportunities in the future.

I guess better luck next time! This kinda makes me want to do their surveys more, but then again its just a sweepstakes, instant win game or donation to charity. I think it would be more worth it to give it to charity, at least you know its going to be donated where as the sweeps and instant win games are a chance for you to win and no guarantee. It would be great if they did something like GlobalTestMarket and give a point or so even if you didn't qualify for the survey. Perhaps opinion Outpost is taking a step in that direction, at least I hope! What do you think of the new "Thank You Rewards"? Does this reward system make you more inclined to participate in surveys from Opinion Outpost or is your participation still unchanged?

Opinion Outpost Notice

When I logged into my members area at Opinion Outpost today I saw a notice posted. It seems they are implementing a new payment system so checks will be processed more efficiently. So instead of waiting 6 to 8 weeks maybe you will only have to wait 4-6 weeks? Thats still a while to wait but at least it wouldn't be as long as before. Of course I am just speculating on what the new time period for payment processing will be. I'm sure when they have finished implementing it they will add it to their Faq's and Terms of Service. Here is what the notice stated:

Notice: Opinion Outpost is implementing a way to make sure your checks get processed more efficiently. Currently we ask you to allow 6 to 8 weeks for processing and delivery. In the meantime, you may experience a longer delay. Please bear with us while we get things back on track to meet your usual expectations.

If you are a member of Opinion Outpost but haven't received any survey invitations it may be because your email is bouncing them or they are going int your spam account. To avoid missing a survey opportunity please be sure to add myopinioncounts@opinionoutpost.com to your address book or "whitelist". If the problem persist I recommend contacting your email service providers’ tech support and ask them if they could or tell you how you can make sure you get email from myopinioncounts@opinionoutpost.com (opinionoutpost.com).