I've spent quite a good deal of time figuring out the best survey sites. Some are legitimate, but many don't pay all that well for the amount of time spent. Learn to identify these time wasters and increase your chances of a pleasurable experience.
It has been a long journey, but I think I have reached a peak in quickly identifying survey sites worth spending my time on.
My favorites are the ones that send checks or deposit money directly into my PayPal account. The website has to make it easy to get the money, and not make me jump through almost impossible hoops. After all, didn't I earn the money already by taking the surveys and giving my valuable time, so the owners of the sites could get paid (very well I'm sure) by companies that need my opinion to make informed decisions?
They also have to not make it impossible to get a survey that I "qualify" for. Too many websites waste your time by allowing you to be "pre-screened" with dozens of questions, ones that you already have answered many times before, or that require a lot of reading to answer properly, only to tell you that you do not qualify. Even worse is to have this happen over and over and rarely being able to complete a "real" survey. It's also insulting to answer lengthy pre-screenings only to be told the survey is full.
According to my criteria, Survey Spot is the top in the list. It is not to say I haven't made more on other sites, either in money or in things that translate into something valuable to me, but this one pays straight to PayPal, it is easy to request and I actually receive the funds I have earned.
I will say this: don't rush survey questions. Give thoughtful answers. I believe these better clearinghouses for surveys do, in some way, keep track of how mindful you are of answers. It is not to say that you should answer in an unnatural way, just be mindful and honest and you will be fine.
As for Survey Spot, make sure you check your email every day; several times a day if you can. The good surveys always fill up fast, sometimes within a few hours. I am sure that Survey Spot figures out certain things about you and over time sends you invitations to surveys that you are more likely to qualify for. Also, if you are a mindful survey taker, in time you will get more valuable survey opportunities.
You may also get free stuff to try. I'm still waiting to get something big like a vacuum or a car, but you never know! I've gotten everything from cereal to fruit snacks. None were out on the market yet. Make sure you answer the follow up questions on anything you receive. A lot of times there is a week or so window to answer the questions, so don't mess around. They may opt not to send you anymore products to review if you don't give them feedback.
Every time you at least try to complete a survey they give you a chance to win in their sweepstakes. They give away nice chunks of money every year, several times a year, as well as gas cards, mp3 players and other various prizes. That's a nice bonus, but I'll gladly take surveys for cash.
