Post by "Pop" Stran on Jan 9, 2005 0:47:20 GMT -5
Seems like they're everywhere now...Why?
Not too long ago, surveys were an effective and nescessary marketing device.
The federal government paid census-takers to help compile localized stats on important subjects related to population density and growth, along with a few dozen other marketing-related topics.
The National Census is still a very useful tool, and is seen by many as every citizen's un-questionable duty.
I don't have a problem with Uncle Sam sharing the collected stats with marketing firms...The info is all far too general to be a personal problem.
Today however, this form of data collection has been bastardized by hundreds of online marketing firms into an outright scam.
They promise fabulous gifts and cash prizes in exchange for a few personal details...and then sell your data to every one of the thousands of marketers that use bulk email, and thousands more telemarketers.
Calling it a survey is just a crooked way to trick you into volunteering the information they desperately need to make money...and they will punish you for being gullible enough to fall for it.
Another recent developmant is the amazing "Guaranteed free" gift for "taking a simple survey" scam.
These con-artists are offering a Free Laptop computer, a free digital camera, or some other rediculously over-valued carrot-on-a-stick for "filling out a simple 5 minute survey".
The catch is three-fold;
First, that "simple 5 minute survey" is one full page of personal data, each line of which is being resold to thousands of online, offline, and telephone marketers.
Second, the next 5-15 pages are just one endless string of offers from other marketing firms and anyone else willing to pay the "surveyers" for inclusion.
Third, The last 3-12 pages are purchase offers, from which you must choose and complete sales.
The standard lately is 3, meaning that you must buy from 3 sellers, and once the sales are completed and proven you will be given "points" towards that "guaranteed free gift".
...and then you will receive more purchase offers.
_ _ _ _ _ _
*ByTheWay: This is where most people drop out.
They don't want to buy anything to get a freebie...and sure as hell don't want to commit to buying piles of junk for the next few years...but the surveyers don't really care;
They already made money from you on the first page, and will keep re-selling your data for a long time.
- - - - - - - - - -
The purchases that you are required to make range from creditcard offers to online schools, from CD clubs to online service, from monthly subscriptions to satelite TV.
Each time you spend money on one of these offers, you earn more "points"...and in the long run, you would save a great deal of time and money by simply going out and buying the laptop...or digital camera...at the very least, you would have selections, options, and own a more personalized product.
...and you wouldn't be stuck with all the un-wanted crap they tried to trick you into buying in order to get one for "free".
These scammers are paid by those companies offering the products, and while you get a few "points" for buying a subscription "savings club" membership (another well-known scam), the surverers were paid cash...anywhere from 50cents to $20 and up, for each new sucker they can con into signing up and/or buying in.
Surveys, in their true form, are a useful tool...but don't fall too easily for the new scammers who are abusing the term.
These aren't surveys, they're a marketing con.
Scammers are always willing to dangle a shiny apple on a stick if they think it will move a dumb animal (you) where they want you to go, and do what you're told.
They want something...Who doesn't?
Seeing the offer in your email should make you angry.
Knowing that they think of us as stupid beasts, and believe that we will chase their dangled reward until our hearts burst should irritate you as it does me.
Hitting your greed-button is a very common marketing tool, and the expected Pavlovian effects are undeniable...but with just a little common sense and wariness, you can avoid a lot of pain.
...Oh Yeah; and save a pile of hard-earned money.
Not too long ago, surveys were an effective and nescessary marketing device.
The federal government paid census-takers to help compile localized stats on important subjects related to population density and growth, along with a few dozen other marketing-related topics.
The National Census is still a very useful tool, and is seen by many as every citizen's un-questionable duty.
I don't have a problem with Uncle Sam sharing the collected stats with marketing firms...The info is all far too general to be a personal problem.
Today however, this form of data collection has been bastardized by hundreds of online marketing firms into an outright scam.
They promise fabulous gifts and cash prizes in exchange for a few personal details...and then sell your data to every one of the thousands of marketers that use bulk email, and thousands more telemarketers.
Calling it a survey is just a crooked way to trick you into volunteering the information they desperately need to make money...and they will punish you for being gullible enough to fall for it.
Another recent developmant is the amazing "Guaranteed free" gift for "taking a simple survey" scam.
These con-artists are offering a Free Laptop computer, a free digital camera, or some other rediculously over-valued carrot-on-a-stick for "filling out a simple 5 minute survey".
The catch is three-fold;
First, that "simple 5 minute survey" is one full page of personal data, each line of which is being resold to thousands of online, offline, and telephone marketers.
Second, the next 5-15 pages are just one endless string of offers from other marketing firms and anyone else willing to pay the "surveyers" for inclusion.
Third, The last 3-12 pages are purchase offers, from which you must choose and complete sales.
The standard lately is 3, meaning that you must buy from 3 sellers, and once the sales are completed and proven you will be given "points" towards that "guaranteed free gift".
...and then you will receive more purchase offers.
_ _ _ _ _ _
*ByTheWay: This is where most people drop out.
They don't want to buy anything to get a freebie...and sure as hell don't want to commit to buying piles of junk for the next few years...but the surveyers don't really care;
They already made money from you on the first page, and will keep re-selling your data for a long time.
- - - - - - - - - -
The purchases that you are required to make range from creditcard offers to online schools, from CD clubs to online service, from monthly subscriptions to satelite TV.
Each time you spend money on one of these offers, you earn more "points"...and in the long run, you would save a great deal of time and money by simply going out and buying the laptop...or digital camera...at the very least, you would have selections, options, and own a more personalized product.
...and you wouldn't be stuck with all the un-wanted crap they tried to trick you into buying in order to get one for "free".
These scammers are paid by those companies offering the products, and while you get a few "points" for buying a subscription "savings club" membership (another well-known scam), the surverers were paid cash...anywhere from 50cents to $20 and up, for each new sucker they can con into signing up and/or buying in.
Surveys, in their true form, are a useful tool...but don't fall too easily for the new scammers who are abusing the term.
These aren't surveys, they're a marketing con.
Scammers are always willing to dangle a shiny apple on a stick if they think it will move a dumb animal (you) where they want you to go, and do what you're told.
They want something...Who doesn't?
Seeing the offer in your email should make you angry.
Knowing that they think of us as stupid beasts, and believe that we will chase their dangled reward until our hearts burst should irritate you as it does me.
Hitting your greed-button is a very common marketing tool, and the expected Pavlovian effects are undeniable...but with just a little common sense and wariness, you can avoid a lot of pain.
...Oh Yeah; and save a pile of hard-earned money.