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Are you truthful when you answer surveys?
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
Canada
October 26, 2011 11:05am CST
I've been thinking about this and hope to discuss with people who regularly complete online surveys for compensation. When you receive survey offers, do you always answer the questions truthfully? Or, when you see the subject matter or qualifying questions in the beginning, do you answer in such a way as to try to ensure that you get to complete the whole offer? I ask this because I don't do surveys for pay at this time... but I've answered some company surveys here and there in the past. Usually, when I see the topic and the first couple of questions, I can figure out what it will be about and what kind of information they are looking for. I also usually know when I won't be accepted.
Example: Today, I read the beginning of a survey that was in my email. It was about computers and they were asking specifically about printers. There was a question about whether or not I had used tech support in any form, for a printer, in the past six months. So, I knew they were looking for people that did use such services. I haven't - and I replied honestly. Next page predictably said "sorry you don't qualify for this survey..."
They were offering $2 to complete that one. So, what do you do? Do you answer all questions honestly, from your own perspective, or do you give the answers you think they want so you can earn the compensation?
1 person likes this
17 responses
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
11 Nov 11
Actually I do answer the questions honestly. This is the reason why I never qualify for the actual survey. I believe my age and location have alot to do with the reason I don't qualify. I can't say I haven't tried to earn doing surveys.
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
12 Nov 11
Quebec would be a good place to target new marketing. New territory, new money and the rest is history. It's ashame that some of us who have the time and want to earn a little bit for what we know can't earn a decent income answering questions. Just because I am older doesn't necessarily mean I am senile...lol
@ReViewMeMedia (3785)
• United States
28 Oct 11
I'm pretty truthful with my surveys and I'm honest with my answers.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
29 Oct 11
Do you do a lot of surveys online? Are you able to generate any type of income stream in that way?
@sathishkumar3660 (325)
• India
4 Nov 11
Tell me any good survey sites which pays properly.
1 person likes this
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
27 Oct 11
I participate in online surveys and as far as possible, I would answer the questions honestly. I only have a slight problem in the initial qualifying round such as whether anyone in your family working in sensitive industry. This is hard to say. I'm doing freelance, I can answer this is different ways, whichever that works for me to complete the survey.
After the initial round, I would answer the questions honestly. I may still be screened out, even then. But I still get some points and that gets accumulated after a LONG while. I'm hoping to be able to answer a few more surveys and get paid by Christmas.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
29 Oct 11
It's great that you qualify for enough surveys to get paid! I get offers by email for surveys paying $2 and up but, each time I try, I get disqualified. Had I been able to complete them, I guess I would have earned a nice little amount by now 
I've never had trouble with that particular question (regarding what industries I or my family work in... my girls are still in school)... but I live in Canada and a lot of surveys, being geographic, don't accept me.
I've never had trouble with that particular question (regarding what industries I or my family work in... my girls are still in school)... but I live in Canada and a lot of surveys, being geographic, don't accept me.@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
31 Oct 11
I know what you mean. That is the reason why I would choose a local survey site compared to international ones, unless they have a good reputation to pay international members too.
The only international one I participate has got to be GTM, I guess. Have you tried GTM?
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
5 Nov 11
The surveys I have taken are usually product surveys and I am honest about them. I haven't been doing them very long so I haven't really got the jist of what they are "looking for." I have been rejected for some of them though after seeming to do half the survey. That is irritating.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
6 Nov 11
I've had that happen quite a few times too... and when it's a survey that has the indicator telling you what percentage you've completed and you get booted past 50%, it's sure annoying! Seems to me they've gotten quite a lot of information by that time for which many of the sites offer nothing at all... no participation points or anything of that nature to compensate for the time given 
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
27 Oct 11
There are so many surveys and they pay so little that it becomes tedious. There are certain questions I am unwilling to answer, but lately i don't really bother with them.
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
27 Oct 11
I've never tried to do surveys as a way of making money online. The ones I've answered are usually because it was a product I use or something I'm interested in. Some people say they make a good income stream doing surveys but I can't see how that's possible if you answer honestly to each question. I might qualify for 1 out of every 10 offers or less when I answer the qualifying questions truthfully.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
4 Jul 12
"Good income" is a relative term. In places where the wage is extremely low, a person who can earn the equivalent or better online will consider it worth their while. For those of us who live in places where the time spent isn't equitable with the amount earned, it's another story. I have done surveys for My Points and I am on a consumer panel for a retail chain, but that's it.
1 person likes this
@vishalconvergys (157)
• India
26 Oct 11
I do get surveys and i try to answer then honestly. The reason being is not honesty but the kind of points i make after responding to these surveys. And one cant make living out of these surveys and there is no need to being dishonest. At the same time companies spend millions of dollars on conducting surveys and if they are not able to conduct a reliable study just because me and someone like me has lied then the whole effort goes in vain.
1 person likes this
@vishalconvergys (157)
• India
26 Oct 11
And while i was responding to this discussion i got another survey, they want to know my opinion about the automotive and i will earn 2 points for completing this survey.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
26 Oct 11
I agree with you, vishalconvergys... it's not something I could make a living at -- and I've worked in a field where we've had to survey participants at the end of a long discussion process. I fully understand the impact of people not being truthful. It skews all the results and the survey is pretty pointless. When I've tried to participate in a survey, I've always been honest. If I don't qualify to complete it, that's ok by me 
@youless (112481)
• Guangzhou, China
27 Oct 11
Sometimes I will meet the situation like yours. After doing the surveys for a long time, now I seem to understand their rules but it is not so fair in my opinion. As most of the time I try to give them my own true opinions, but then I will be disqualified. I know another survey website which handles it very well. If you are disqualified, at least you will still be rewarded some points rather than finishing a little survey and then get nothing after that since you are disqualifed to this survey. So it encourages customers to fill out the survey according to their situation. I think all the survey websites shall think about it.
I love China
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
27 Oct 11
Oh that's a good idea... awarding points that you can accumulate as a "thank you", basically, for taking the time to try to participate. I wouldn't mind that so much -- at least you don't end up feeling like you've completely wasted your time. Thanks for sharing!
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
27 Oct 11
Most of the time, I get thrown out before I have a chance to give any answers - honest or otherwise 
That's why I'm wondering if people that do earn something through surveys have some kind of a "system" or if they are really being completely honest.
That's why I'm wondering if people that do earn something through surveys have some kind of a "system" or if they are really being completely honest.
@maharlikah (1045)
• Philippines
27 Oct 11
Most of the surveys I answered was truthfully completed especially on paid surveys. But I never had the chance to get paid of those,lol. My honest to goodness answer were not given justice.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
27 Oct 11
I know a great deal of surveys are looking for a geographical answer base or people of only a specific age range, for example, but I get disqualified pretty much every time I decide to try one. It doesn't make it a very appealing opportunity LOL
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
29 Oct 11
You're right, Seisho... they are doing the survey to gather information so it's best if they get honest feedback that will further their knowledge Do you get to complete a lot of surveys or do you get disqualified many times?
Do you get to complete a lot of surveys or do you get disqualified many times? @sathishkumar3660 (325)
• India
4 Nov 11
I have joined 1 or 2 free surveys till now and i had participated in it. But still not got any payments from it as they only send 1 or 2 survey per month. As far as possible i honestly answer to the survey, but i dont much answer the things i dont have and telling that i use the products.
Please tell me if you know any reliable survey sites that pays you promptly for answering the surveys. I also want to know that whether the survey sites which requires deposit join are reliable good sites, as i dont want loss my money by investing to them. Suggest me any sites if you know.
@moneywinner (1864)
• Brazil
27 Oct 11
Depends of the day. Usually, I answer the truth and if I qualify, I complete the rest of the survey. But, when I'm looking for money, I try to answer to be able to complete the survey, but this is very rarely because I think surveys kind boring.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
27 Oct 11
I'm surprised how long some of those surveys are. I especially dislike the sections where it's a whole page of statements where you have to rate them on a scale from something like "totally agree" to "totally disagree". I tried one where there were three or four pages full like that. Mind you, those might be the sections where they are able to determine if you're just making up the answers as you go and not being truthful because you might not answer consistently?
@arnokurniawan (27)
•
27 Oct 11
I am member of several survey sites. I am usually had not qualified for a survey.
It make me angry somewhat. But till this time i always answer of the surveys questions truthfully. If i failed to, than that was my destiny.
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
29 Oct 11
Yep, me too, arnokurniawan! I answer honestly but don't often get selected to continue. It's even more disappointing to get halfway through the survey and then be stopped, I find 
@hatenone (4)
• United States
27 Oct 11
I am usually honest when answering surveys because I find that the way to get through them the quickest is with truthful answers. Many questions on the surveys are the same from survey to survey and if you waste time trying to think of what they want to hear, then you will cost yourself more in the long run. The thing to do is to complete your profile as thoroughly and truthfully as you can so that you get offered surveys that you will qualify for and you can answer them honestly and get through them quickly. Let's face it, it's not worth 20 or 30 minutes of my time to fill out a survey for $2.00. But if I can do it in 10 minutes, I can average $12.00 per hour for a part-time, entertaining endeavor. It's true you won't get rich doing surveys, but some extra money is helpful and if it's fun too, then so much the better. Good luck to you and remember to complete your profiles... that's the trick!
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
27 Oct 11
Thanks so much for the advice, hatenone! I'll remember that if I decide to take a stab at doing surveys regularly. I signed up for a company in the past and completed my profile, as you suggested. I took all of their "qualifying" surveys and all that stuff... for free, of course... but never received anything that I could complete for payment. That was a long time ago, though, so I'm sure things have changed. Good to hear from someone who is earning rather productively in this way 
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
26 Oct 11
I was thinking that, savypat... I know in some of the long surveys, they often ask the same basic question two or three different ways. I guess that assists in validating whether or not a person is giving truthful answers or just making them up as they go.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
26 Oct 11
My husband answers surveys for money and he has a pretty creative way of interpreting the questions 
He is usually able to tell what kind of answers they are looking for and he tries to answer them the "right" way so that he will be able to complete the survey. Some years ago I was also a member of some survey sites, but I answered the questions honestly. I wasn't able to complete many surveys that way, but I prefer to be honest anyway.
He is usually able to tell what kind of answers they are looking for and he tries to answer them the "right" way so that he will be able to complete the survey. Some years ago I was also a member of some survey sites, but I answered the questions honestly. I wasn't able to complete many surveys that way, but I prefer to be honest anyway.1 person likes this
@gothtini (219)
• United States
26 Oct 11
I always try to put the truth when I do the surveys that are offered to me, even though I know I'll be disqualified from them. Typically because I forget answers I may have put that contradict with what I say which gets me kicked out anyway. With sites like paidviewpoint, if any of your answers contradict you lose trust points.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
26 Oct 11
I have always answered truthfully to any survey I've done and I find that, the majority of the time, I get kicked out/disqualified. I find it interesting that you gain or lose "trust points" with some of the survey sites. I guess, through this discussion, I'll be able to learn more about doing surveys by the folks who are successful at it!
