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There are a fair number of web sites actively promoting "work at home opportunities" offering ambitious people the chance to make some extra money at home in their spare time on their computers and supposedly on their own terms. Many of these opportunities are legitimate. A number are decidedly bogus. The latter of these two entities tends to wind up in the "spam, scam and scram" category. The description speaks volumes on the nature of the offers.
One type of opportunity features getting paid for answering online survey questions. The survey's promoters and marketeers offer more then eager candidates the chance to register with opinion gathering firms (lots of them out there!) and then wait to be contacted for an available survey for which they qualify.
Then you merely answer the survey's questions honestly and watch the money roll in. The companies are allegedly reputable and very anxious to obtain and evaluate your honest feedback. How can you possibly lose in a set up like that?
The ads themselves are encouraging and very tempting to a money-strapped audience namely retirees, students, stay at-home moms and others in need of extra cash. Why not get paid cash for your hard earned knowledge, experience and of course expertise? Nothing wrong with that. Our email boxes are crammed daily with these juicy offerings. Knowing that your opinions matter and are valuable to large corporations and marketing firms does wonders for a person's self esteem.
Eventually the marketing glitz and glamour seduced me and I signed on with a number of opinon seeking firms which I believed were desperate for my personal input. I could see it all before me. The opinion requests pouring in daily. My deepest thoughts and ideas finally utilized and appreciated by these giant corporate entities. And oh yes, the extra residual income stream of cash deposited daily into my ever so receptive and welcoming bank account. Sweet.
Well so much for pipe dreams. The key phrase to keep in mind always is "if you qualify". At times that's a mighty big blow to the ego. Who knew that these firms could be so picayune and discriminating? That certain age categories would be shunned? That only certain age categories qualify to earn the big bucks? That focus groups,telephone surveys and one-on-one interviews were targeted towards a younger market.
In all fairness it should be noted that you do receive the email invites to register for the surveys. These arrive fairly regularly and almost on a daily basis. You click on the web site's link and are primed and ready to express your views on matters that actually matter. The adrenaline starts pumping but the chance to be chosen is often times elusive. It seems that many folks in the 50 to 65 year old age category are snubbed and politely turned down by these large and impersonal opinion firms.
The opinion seekers it seems are looking to a more younger, more responsible market and are too polite to note in their online offer the folllowing notation: "People between the ages of 50 and 65 need not apply!"
Ouch! Reality does bite and where it hurts too! But that required directness would not in this day and age be deemed politically correct.....or would it now? That approach sure is easier to take than "Scram old timer".
Have you been scammed by a "work-at-home" company? Purchased a "money-making" system that didn't live up to its claim? Having a hard time getting a refund from an online merchant? Do you have a web site that you think deserves recongition?
The Work at Home Watchdog Organization www.wahwatchdog.org is THE work at home and make money at home product review site for you and your questions. The site allows you to share questions, post your own reviews on sites , get help with recalcitrant and difficult online merchants and review ratings on the many work at home sites that are out there. The sites ratings and rankings are based solely on users' votes, and user reviews are authenticated and displayed unedited.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
