In yesterday’s edition, I asked if it was really possible to earn $150 an hour filling out paid surveys. Today, I’m back to say that the great Gnomies have spoken! While every one of the responses said that it was possible to make money filling out paid surveys, not one mentioned a figure anywhere near that magical hourly rate. And here I was a complete skeptic. There just might be something to this paid survey racket …

Gnomie Steve writes about his experience after signing up with surveysavvy about two years ago:

Now, you don’t get many surveys to do, but in the time I’ve been a member, I’ve made a bit over $100 for 5 surveys taking maybe 20 minutes each. Not bad, though nowhere near the kind of money other sites talk about.

Okay, so maybe now I’m a little less skeptical. Do the math on that paid survey deal and it doesn’t seem that bad, on a hourly basis. Alas it’s the dearth of big payouts that seems to be a common thread in most experiences.

Gnomie Elaine writes:

I read the story about paid surveys with interest, because this has been a sort of hobby with me for quite a while. I don’t EVER use anything that makes YOU pay first. There are a TON of paid survey sites that are completely free in every way, and actually do pay you cash dollars and/or other merchandise, not the big bucks the one you found pays, but generally $5 to $20 bucks a pop for some, with the opportunity to “win” more via “sweepstakes” for larger amounts.

The most I’ve earned for a single one was $100, which was a most pleasant surprise but I’ve also received phone and gift cards and real merchandise. I have never paid a dime for any of these things, not even shipping and handling for merchandise. You won’t get rich from doing surveys, but if you approach them as a hobby for when you have a few free minutes, sticking with the free ones, of course, it’s fun, and unexpected checks are always fun to get, even if “only” for 5 bucks!

It seems like when we get to this time of the year, everyone can use a few extra dollars in the holiday kitty. But paying to get into the club just doesn’t seem like it’s in the holiday spirit.

Gnomie Curtis shares Elaine’s opinion that you shouldn’t have to pay to get paid:

First thing–there is absolutely NO reason to pay anyone to get on survey lists. NEVER pay anyone who claims to be able to hook you up.

And speaking of sharing, Curtis freely shared his paid survey knowledge:

Secondly–in a good week, I typically get a few survey requests that pay $3-$5 for 10-15 minutes of time. One site I belong to–NFO, National Family Opinion–gives you points that are redeemable for merchandise, cash, or charity donation (cash equivalent is 1000 points=$10). On their site, most surveys are worth 10-25 points for a 15 minute survey; many times, I’ll be offered 50-250 points more for a longer more detailed survey taking 30-45 minutes.

There are a relatively small number of legitimate survey companies that sometimes solicit via broadcast mail, but typically you get there from an ad link or referral from a friend. Some legitimate companies are: Harris Online, Synovate, National Family Opinion (one of the largest), Esearch.com, and Technology Advisory Board. Harris and Synovate don’t give any cash payment, only points.

I guess it’s technically accurate to say that one can make up to $150/hr, if you do 3 surveys in an hour that each pay $50, but that just isn’t going to happen. The implication of the ad is that you’ll make $150/hr every day, which you definitely won’t. Also, don’t overlook that sometimes payment takes as long as 2-3 weeks.

Curtis sums it up like a pro …

Bottom line: surveys can be a fun way to make a little pin money, but they can also be very tedious to complete too … and you’re not going to be able to quit your day job to complete surveys all day long.

I’m going to follow my fellow Gnomies’ advice and check out a whole bunch of paid survey companies. I’ve already signed up with ESearch and PollCast (they run surveys through SMS … let’s see how irritating/rewarding that will be). I’ll look at each and every one with a skeptical eye and let you know just how I fare.