Opinons needed

[sunshinecindy]

We've seen a huge decline in the forum traffic lately, and I'm really curious as to why.

I've heard some comments about all the coupon advertising being overwhelming or that there is too much negativity (ie complaining about surveys) and so on.

I would like some constructive criticism here as well as what features you like best about the forum. We use to have great times in here all day long, but that seems to have fallen off. How do we get people back in, how do we keep them here. Should we have the chats again?

I know you guys are all full of opinions (ok, so maybe when you are just getting .90 for them), but let them flow here.

[jnorth1007]

My opinion is that the member review threads and the coupon threads take up a lot of space and make it hard to keep up with the forum. I check the forum everyday but sometimes I am too busy too sort through the other stuff to see what is going on in the non-review, non-coupon threads. I do read those threads because they are helpful but I never read them from the new posts section. I go to their section and choose the ones I want to read.

[sammielynn]

I've been so busy that I haven't had time to do much. When I really have to choose between my job, real life(such as it is) and time on the forum, I have to choose my job/life. I do make a point on checking in at least twice a day just to see what's going on with everyone and what's new with SR.
I don't get turned off by too much negativity. Life is not always pleasant and we are living real life, not a happy at all times cyber life. I think it gives us a chance to vent, get answers, find out we are not alone with our problems and learn from others problems.
There are several members that I have not seen on here in a long time. My hope is that they are just caught up with job/life and not upset with something. Like I tell folks at work that get all bent out of shape about e-mail discussions at work, you don't have to read them all if you don't like them. Pick the stuff you like and leave the rest in cyber space.

[lanny76]

I agree with the above - coupon posts are nice, but I don't have time to wade through them and check other things too. I suppose I'm not on the forum as much just because life is much busier with 3 kids and one more on the way - I barely have enough time for a survey or 2 in a day, with the other things I need to do, too. The chats were probly nice for a lot of people, but for me, I didn't have the time to sit down in the evening when they were on, because that's bedtime/catch up time with my DH or doing other things around the house. Maybe some would like them again, tho.
And I don't know - maybe negativity has something to do with it, too. Seems like there are always threads fussing about surveys! But then, people aren't always happy when the opportunity to make a complaint (when it is legitimate, esp., is what I'm thinking of) is more strictly regulated (or whatever word would work better). I don't mind threads about issues/struggles people have in their lives; everyone has problems and it does help to vent/get encouragement/advice from others.
I don't post as much about things in general because it also seemed like there wasn't as much response (I mean from the community in general) - like it wasn't noticed or something. Just seems some who used to be very active aren't so much, too, and I miss some of the voices/people I was more familiar with from a year or 2 ago.
Maybe need to revive some of the fun threads/game threads, too?!

[secretmoney]

I love the forum. I've learned so much from the other members here. I don't pay attention to negativity, I'm just happy to be here. There's negativity everywhere. I always told my employees (when we had a negative customer)
that we weren't really the biggest problem in those peoples lives. They just needed to vent, so be nice. I'm still confused about offers, so more threads about them would be helpful to me. Most of all, I like threads about our lives. I like learning about the people with the same interests as me and getting to know everyone!

[spring]

I usually read some of the forum everyday, but I don't always sign into the forums to do so. I'll probably take some flak for this but to be perfectly honest, I personally get sick and tired of seeing the same people rant about the same thing (like not being able to get a survey in "x" amount of time, or not being about to get a trifecta on a particular day because they usually do any other day. Sheesh!) That's not to say that all people talking about surveys or lack thereof are complaining, but there are a few members that I feel are chronic complainers. I do try to pick and choose what I read, but sometimes these things are interspersed in various threads. I have scaled way back in my forum interaction partially because of this.

Also, I agree with Janet in the amount of coupons being placed in the forum. I like the savings and totally appreciate all the hard work that goes into getting us these deals, but I wonder if there could be a better place for them other than the forum. Sometimes I just have a few minutes to log in, and when I see there are 3 - 5 pages to get through in order to read the posts I want to see, I get frustrated and log out.

What posts do I like? I like the posts from our fellow members telling us about their lives: problems, children, travel, comments about local, national or world events, pets, etc. I loved our picture threads about "furbabies" and family members, neither of which I have seen updated in a while. I like to learn about special offers that are crediting well plus special deals someone has noticed and would like to pass on to the rest of us. I like to hear from fellow members from areas affected by unusual weather or other events, just so I can find out how they are. I like the contests Tricia and Cindy frequently run even if I don't always join in. I like reading about how some of our more seasoned members are helping newbies who are requesting help. Overall, I love the warm caring members I have grown to know via the forum.

Let's try to keep this forum a place where we can't wait to see what's going on next, like the next chapter in a great book.

[marcymajor]

i have to admit that i am not on the forum as much as i used to be. sometimes all the different issues and topics on the forum can be overwhelming so i only read what i am truly interested in and skip the rest. sorry to say that sometimes i do add to the negativity and i am truly sorry about that but there are times that people need to vent (even just a little) just to get it out of their system. lately, i have tried to watch what i say for fear of getting my post deleted or getting written up so my forum postings have been few and far between. maybe we need another contest of some kind to get people talking again on the forum. hth.:sunshine:

[Alice28]

I honestly just forget a lot to check in. I have also started working 2 weeks ago, and as I shared before, my DH is in Iraq. I don't have a lot of time these days to check in and see what's up.

What I do appreciate seeing in the forums are heads-up about new offers, or offers that credit well, I appreciate the contests and try to participate when I can, I appreciate notices about great sales deals for shopping.

I also love when Tricia gives heads up about bulk gift card mailing, or if the daily survey credits are being held up- that is very helpful to know.

The negativity about surveys doesn't really bother me. I do think people need to understand that surveys do ebb and flow- sometimes they are really easy to get, sometimes they are not. There are so many variables it's impossible to know why it's happening. Just deal with it and move on. :D I am disappointed sometimes when I can't qualify, but it certainly isn't the end of the world- let's just keep things in perspective, right? :sunshine:

[Love2Shop]

I actually have been on the forum quite a lot lately (for me anyway). Even though I am just trying to keep track of my surveys, I usually do check for new posts. I agree about the coupon/discount threads, though. I really don't look through them because there isn't much room in my budget for shopping right now! If I am going to shop I look for discounts on the SR shopping pages and I appreciate how much hard work goes into all of that.

[3dog2kidmom]

I don't really care for the coupon postings -- they take up so much space on the new posts list. I typically read everything on the forums but don't take the time to reply.

[MKCP84]

I have to agree about the coupons. I greatly appreciate them but when I start seeing a lot of them I just stop reading the forum.

[SunshineGirl]

SunshineGuy and I are going to look for away to allow the coupons to post but have them NOT be included in the "New Posts" when you hit that button. Would that solve the problem?

[PSL1013]

SunshineGuy and I are going to look for away to allow the coupons to post but have them NOT be included in the "New Posts" when you hit that button. Would that solve the problem?

That would be great and I think it would solve the problem that most of us have, this would allow us to check them out when needed but we don't have to have them forced on us when we aren't in need of them. I'm here all the time and I too love the friendship...let's keep that going. :)

[cjnix32]

I visit the forum quite often, but notice that there aren't a lot of people posting. There will be several days go by before there is a post. I like the personal stuff. I was on the other disney board, but the people there are so catty. Would like this board to be as active as that one, but with nice people!

[kimntrent]

I like visiting the forum but I have really seen a negative aspect from it too. It seems like everything I say or ask or do is always getting flack in some way shape or another and so I really log in in the am to see whats up and then that is about it. On Tuesday and Wednesday I try to get on a bit more but I haven't been on at night recently because I just don't need the drama. I read enough on FB.

[Hedy]

I like visiting the forum but I have really seen a negative aspect from it too. It seems like everything I say or ask or do is always getting flack in some way shape or another and so I really log in in the am to see whats up and then that is about it. On Tuesday and Wednesday I try to get on a bit more but I haven't been on at night recently because I just don't need the drama. I read enough on FB.


I visit the forum quite often, but notice that there aren't a lot of people posting. There will be several days go by before there is a post. I like the personal stuff. I was on the other disney board, but the people there are so catty. Would like this board to be as active as that one, but with nice people!
I'm wondering if I getting to know you thread might be a good idea...

SunshineGuy and I are going to look for away to allow the coupons to post but have them NOT be included in the "New Posts" when you hit that button. Would that solve the problem?
That would be great. I liked the coupons at first, but honestly, if I'm interested in a coupon I'll have it on Sunshine Saver.

[cjnix32]

Can we have a "if you are in a bad mood or don't have anything nice to say stay out of this thread" thread! :rotfl:

[mollyeilis]

For me, I don't care a bit about "negativity" about surveys! I know the reason you can't have people getting too negative, I remember when you explained it all, but I felt better about the universe when I could come in and really complain about putting my heart and soul into a survey (to help a company do something better) for an hour, and having something go wrong with it. So I say, bring on the negativity, b/c it helps us all know we're not alone. Because otherwise, people like me just take a year-long break from the surveys, which doesn't help me OR you guys!:o

But I come here to get help with the site, find some ideas like that .10 signup the other day, mark down the surveys I get, alert other people to problems with, and the occasional heavily watered down vent about, surveys.

In a way, you could see it as a positive; that people aren't needing to complain about other things, that maybe the 'stickies' are working to help people, and that things are basically crediting as they should without people needing to gets lots of help!:sunshine:

[kristenrice]

I only recently joined the forum and I think it is great!

Yeah, I do sometimes complain about the surveys, but for me, it is really just venting. It's not like I am really going to pound the snot out of my computer with a hammer:computer:...:angel:. I just get a little frustrated sometimes and they only people that could understand the frustration are the ones who have been there, done that.

Overall, the forum provides such a "family" atmosphere. I really like a lot of the friendship I see here.

Keep up the great work!:clap:

[Arky]

I come to the forums looking for something I need or want. A good deal, a great offer, a contest, a good laugh sometimes. I want to know what surveys I should stay away from too.

Sunshine Rewards is a way for me to save up for my vacation. As it has turned to more of a shopping site, its hard because my shopping funds are greatly limited. I do take surveys pretty regularly. I have slowed down on the freebie offers, because it is a waste of my time too much. There's no guarantees, I get that. I guess I'm finding Sunshine doesn't fill a huge need because I can't do a lot of shopping.

I ignore all of the new coupons. That's what the sunshine saver emails are for.

That's my 2 cents.

[faithhope]

I love the forums... I'm here as much as I've always been... I check in multiple times a day... but there isn't as much activity...

I don't mind the coupons ...the fandango ones are annoying... but I've learned to put up with them.

I just have nothing to respond to... or if I feel like I get little response to anything I post. As one that has been on the forum a while... I miss the way it used to be... more personal stories, more trip stories, more games, more chats.

I don't find the posts negative, just honest mildly frustrated people now and then... it actually helps me to know when surveys are having problems or others aren't having much luck... it allows me to know my computer is ok, that it is a problem on their end, or at least I'm not the only one with a problem.... or it gives me confidence in the reviews to know that people are allowed to post negative...so if I see a vendor with all positive reviews it is honest and worth me looking at.

I'm still here, waiting for it to be more lively... I appreciate all the posts on good offers, and the games... and general chat. I hope you find a way to get the conversation going again...I don't have any constructive solutions... just wanted to say I'm still here and I'm still a big fan. :sunshine2:

Just want to mention that following Tricia and Cindy and other SRers on Twitter has helped me keep that in touch feeling, because we don't have chats anymore.

[lswheatly]

I revntly joined the forum and love coming. I try to visit twice in a day because since I am starting, I am still trying to learn my way around here.

[shmily1]

I've seen the coupons heading, but I use the main forum headings, like Announcements and general discussion, and go to the ones that interest me. I check the forum every morning to see what's going on but I don't post alot because I don't have a lot to add to that days topics. I loved the birthday fun and that kind of stuff brings me to the forum more often, even if it is between doing laundry, taking care of new DGS, and cooking. I also work during the day so that limits my time to come on the site since it's blocked at work (The gall of them!) I guess they do realize I would get NO work done if they didn't. :blush:

The coupon information doesn't bother me because it's in a different section and I can go there to see what's on sale. Just like I didn't remember I needed to buy some ink for this ink-drinking printer until I read the Did you print your coupons today thread. Then I went in search of coupons/discounts for that.

The negativity doesn't bother me exactly, but it does bother me for you (the first family of Sunshine:D) if it seems to be accusational or aimed at you or could be taken that way. Then again, I think that may just be my protective side that doesn't want anything negative said about SR! I usually overlook the negativity since I use to live with someone that was always negative. I learned early to just turn most of that off. Someone else's negativity is there's to own and I prefer to be positive (yes, my glass is half full).

Basically, I have written all this to say, keep up the good work! We love it here!!

[speechteachri]

I love the forums... I'm here as much as I've always been... I check in multiple times a day... but there isn't as much activity...

I don't mind the coupons ...the fandango ones are annoying... but I've learned to put up with them.

I just have nothing to respond to... or if I feel like I get little response to anything I post. As one that has been on the forum a while... I miss the way it used to be... more personal stories, more trip stories, more games, more chats.

I don't find the posts negative, just honest mildly frustrated people now and then... it actually helps me to know when surveys are having problems or others aren't having much luck... it allows me to know my computer is ok, that it is a problem on their end, or at least I'm not the only one with a problem.... or it gives me confidence in the reviews to know that people are allowed to post negative...so if I see a vendor with all positive reviews it is honest and worth me looking at.

I'm still here, waiting for it to be more lively... I appreciate all the posts on good offers, and the games... and general chat. I hope you find a way to get the conversation going again...I don't have any constructive solutions... just wanted to say I'm still here and I'm still a big fan. :sunshine2:

Just want to mention that following Tricia and Cindy and other SRers on Twitter has helped me keep that in touch feeling, because we don't have chats anymore.

I feel much the same way. I miss the fun and overall "chattiness" of the forums the way it was a year or more ago...it was fun to be here and participate and you always felt like if there was something special going on in your life you could post about it and have people respond, or you could show your support or enthusiasm for others as they posted. There has been much less of that lately.

I try to get on briefly every day before work and send birthday wishes if there are any b-days, and just see if there is anything new, in particular, but often there isn't lately. I also check in at least once later in the da but often there are very few other people on.

Personally, I am a very busy lady...I check into FB often throughout the day, as I used to with the SR forums when there was a lot more activity. I know that if there is a great deal that Tricia will post it on FB, then I can come here and find out more.

Also, I think people just generally get busy and attention wanes after a while...

I love the friendships I have made here, but I know it is a lot easier for people to walk away from online friendships than those that are face to face, so when things get busy...

I also think a lot of people came over to this forum from that other forum, and used this as a new site to share and take part in each others lives...but maybe the newness of that has worn off?

Anyway, I'd like the chats to start back up, but then I wouldn't always be able to get to them. I'd like more friendly chatter, but I won't always be able to participate...I'd lie to see some of the members that used to be on so much be back on more...but I know everyone is busy and you can't fault people for that.

For me, I will keep checking in and posting as I am able, and I will keep up the friendships I have made here (SR NE meet in March!!!:clap:), and hope to make more...but life is busy, for all of us and I understand that too.

:sunshine:

[SunshineGirl]

Good news! The coupon posts will stay in the separate forum that they are in, but those will no longer show up in the stream when you click "New Posts." And I did it without SG's help. LOL!

Keep bringing the suggestions. You know we are always up for them. :sunshine:

[Hedy]

Good news! The coupon posts will stay in the separate forum that they are in, but those will no longer show up in the stream when you click "New Posts." And I did it without SG's help. LOL!

Keep bringing the suggestions. You know we are always up for them. :sunshine:

I really like the change-thanks!

[arob414]

I still love the forums and check them at least twice a day, often more than that. I hit "new post" and look at things I am interested in, or intrigued by (some titles just pull you in). I don't reply as often as I used to because I basically work 1.5 jobs. I volunteered for the .5 job, to help out my manager. Now, she is gone but the job is mine permanently. :( But, the unexpected boost in my check is nice. :clap: However, between work and family, somedays, I am just too lazy to reply. :o

I really haven't noticed much negativity beyond surveys. And, of course, offers not crediting as well as they used to. But, lots of us have been here along time, so I understand the offer problems and just took it as venting.

Like someone else mentioned, I love reading about trips, families, babies and pets, and just plain keeping in touch with everyone. When I am in an offer mood, I depend upon the what is crediting post for hunting out leads.

I love the forums, overall, I still find it to be a very inviting, supportive place to hang out.

[lkat]

Ummm...this is embarrassing...I've been a member since June and had no idea about clicking on the "New Posts" thing at the top of the forum!!! I've just been checking the main page and clicking from there. :o

The forum's been pretty much the same since I've been a member, so I don't remember it being much different. I love to check in multiple times a day to get heads ups on new offers, surveys, contests, etc...I don't mind survey/ offer complaints...like someone else said, if everything I read on here was ALL positive ALL the time, I might be a little suspicious! I trust reviews more when I know that constructive, helpful negative comments won't be screened out. Gives me more confidence in the site! Sometimes people just need to vent, and as long as it doesn't get nasty, it doesn't bother me :)

I will definitely have to check out the other parts of the forum...haven't really done that yet, I mostly just check the first section...

[PSL1013]

Ummm...this is embarrassing...I've been a member since June and had no idea about clicking on the "New Posts" thing at the top of the forum!!! I've just been checking the main page and clicking from there. :o

The forum's been pretty much the same since I've been a member, so I don't remember it being much different. I love to check in multiple times a day to get heads ups on new offers, surveys, contests, etc...I don't mind survey/ offer complaints...like someone else said, if everything I read on here was ALL positive ALL the time, I might be a little suspicious! I trust reviews more when I know that constructive, helpful negative comments won't be screened out. Gives me more confidence in the site! Sometimes people just need to vent, and as long as it doesn't get nasty, it doesn't bother me :)

I will definitely have to check out the other parts of the forum...haven't really done that yet, I mostly just check the first section...

Don't be embarrassed...I think it took me about two years to find that option, I saw it there but never clicked on it. :blush: Now that's the first think I click on when I enter the forums.

[~Kathie]

I try to be here as much as I can, I usually check in a couple of times a day.

My life has been a little crazy. Our grandchildren are spending a lot of time with us. Add working at the restaurant and coordinating my mother's medical care and into that, I have very little ME time.

I rarely made it to chat....but when I did, it was fun. Someone else mentioned the Fandango posts. I used to click on them a couple of times when something catches my eye, but I don't anymore. I always get a ton of pop ups (even with my pop-up blocker on) and 9 time out of 10 my browser would crash.

Coupons don't bother me. If I am shopping I go looking for a coupon. I think it's great that it will now be out of the NEW post stream. Thanks Tricia.

[MKelley226]

I did take a long break from here....nothing to do with the site, but life got busy for me....we moved and things are back to a normal that I like, so I came back. I remember the forums being pretty busy and now they aren't. I'm a shy person, so don't get too personnal with postings of my family and such in those type of threads. I'm not noticing negativity...venting of surveys, but I have done that on occassion....it's human! I also did not know about the "new posts" button....but maybe I should check that out and I can get involved with others posts. Maybe the "newness" has worn off for some people like someone else metioned.

[m 'n c]

I just get tired. I see threads like these so I'll put in the effort to bump new threads and start new ones but they quickly die. I figure that if people want to participate they can try like I do and I'll happily respond to their post. It just gets hard to put in the effort when it doesn't seem to help or work.

[askomsky]

I'll probably take some flak for this but to be perfectly honest, I personally get sick and tired of seeing the same people rant about the same thing (like not being able to get a survey in "x" amount of time, or not being about to get a trifecta on a particular day because they usually do any other day. Sheesh!) That's not to say that all people talking about surveys or lack thereof are complaining, but there are a few members that I feel are chronic complainers. I do try to pick and choose what I read, but sometimes these things are interspersed in various threads. I have scaled way back in my forum interaction partially because of this.

Also, I agree with Janet in the amount of coupons being placed in the forum. I like the savings and totally appreciate all the hard work that goes into getting us these deals, but I wonder if there could be a better place for them other than the forum. Sometimes I just have a few minutes to log in, and when I see there are 3 - 5 pages to get through in order to read the posts I want to see, I get frustrated and log out.

What posts do I like? I like the posts from our fellow members telling us about their lives: problems, children, travel, comments about local, national or world events, pets, etc. I loved our picture threads about "furbabies" and family members, neither of which I have seen updated in a while. I like to learn about special offers that are crediting well plus special deals someone has noticed and would like to pass on to the rest of us. I like to hear from fellow members from areas affected by unusual weather or other events, just so I can find out how they are. I like the contests Tricia and Cindy frequently run even if I don't always join in. I like reading about how some of our more seasoned members are helping newbies who are requesting help. Overall, I love the warm caring members I have grown to know via the forum.

Let's try to keep this forum a place where we can't wait to see what's going on next, like the next chapter in a great book.

Pat hit the nail on the head with her post, felt like I could have written it myself.

I dont' mind people venting about survey's, I can ignore that, but i do agree, I have to roll my eyes when unexpectadly I come across someone whining again. I do try to just ignore those.

I miss the way it was when I first joined, I think a huge part is life changes, economy changed people, more people are doing more at work or getting jobs who didn't have to do more work or work at all in the past.

Coupons, you took care of that issue, but I agree it was REALLY annoying, someone else said it best, if I was shopping for something in particular I would just go look it up.


I like visiting the forum but I have really seen a negative aspect from it too. It seems like everything I say or ask or do is always getting flack in some way shape or another and so I really log in in the am to see whats up and then that is about it. On Tuesday and Wednesday I try to get on a bit more but I haven't been on at night recently because I just don't need the drama. I read enough on FB.

THIS IS probably my BIGGEST issue. I've seen recently SEVERAL times where a member has jumped the gun on another member and gotten somewhat nasty is the only way to put it. Totally turned me off, bc I had read the thread and didn't see it come across the same way, so it really was a matter of interpretation on how it was read. Several times I wanted to jump in, but I stayed out of it. I think everyone needs to realize that we ALL have a different opinion on things, doesn't make it wrong or right, and unless you were being personally attack there's no reason to jump the gun, maybe if people are offended they'll stop and ask that person what they meant. That happeneded to me and another member before, I took it off the board and PM'd them just to make sure I understood correctly. Thankfully for the most part everyone is really nice and most people let things slide, but I was suprised a few times by some threads.


As for me, i started working PT a year ago and well someone finally got me onto FB last summer, so now my SR time is divided three ways. I was doing fine with survey's until the holidays. Got to busy and out of the habit and now it's just hard to get back INTO the habit. I don't check the forums' as much bc honestly there doesnt' seem like anything except posts on coupons, surveys and freebies (which I don't really do anymore).

[lanny76]

THIS IS probably my BIGGEST issue. I've seen recently SEVERAL times where a member has jumped the gun on another member and gotten somewhat nasty is the only way to put it. Totally turned me off, bc I had read the thread and didn't see it come across the same way, so it really was a matter of interpretation on how it was read. Several times I wanted to jump in, but I stayed out of it. I think everyone needs to realize that we ALL have a different opinion on things, doesn't make it wrong or right, and unless you were being personally attack there's no reason to jump the gun, maybe if people are offended they'll stop and ask that person what they meant. That happeneded to me and another member before, I took it off the board and PM'd them just to make sure I understood correctly. Thankfully for the most part everyone is really nice and most people let things slide, but I was suprised a few times by some threads. (sorry, should be quotes there)



---I think that this is something I have had an issue with too - there is sometimes the feeling, at least when some certain people make a comment on something I posted, that there is the sense that it's not just my post that isn't understood/liked/agreed with, it's me. If I have that sense, it's hard for me not to try to correct the perception someone had of what I said/or seems to have of me - but then that doesn't seem to work well sometimes either. Better to post nothing. Now, I realize tone is misunderstood, etc., but I can say I've never intended to offend/bother anyone with anything I've posted and I've tried to avoid that, even if it has happened - which I'm sorry for. Probably I don't post as much on some things because I don't want my words to be taken the wrong way. It's certainly OK to have different opinions and it's nice when we can share them without conflict, but sometimes it doesn't seem to work out, sadly.

[metallicaruler80]

I am in the habit of checking forums almost daily if I can. I do not always sign in, so I am not sure if this seen as not being on the forums.

I have to admit I am kinda of tired about hearing about survey frustrations. They are hit or miss. I do get frustrated when I do a long survey and it does not credit or I do not get the congratulations page. I do see when people who do complain do sometimes get credit and I then wish I had said something. Either way, I do not NOT visit because of this.

I usually post for questions on things I need have to better understand of or either to know what is going on or to participate in contests.

I am so grateful to SR and will continue to monitor forums on a regular basis:thanks:.

[wilsonfamily4]

My opinion is that the member review threads and the coupon threads take up a lot of space and make it hard to keep up with the forum. I check the forum everyday but sometimes I am too busy too sort through the other stuff to see what is going on in the non-review, non-coupon threads. I do read those threads because they are helpful but I never read them from the new posts section. I go to their section and choose the ones I want to read.

YES!! I want to check the threads but get derailed by all the posts on products and coupons. I like those in the shopping area of the main site, not the forum.

[andrea2289]

On a more personal note, I was MUCH more involved in the forum when I was doing well with Sunshine. One of the things that kept me coming back to the site/forum numerous times a day was new offers and the excitement that went along with doing them. I have noticed a drastic decline in new offers lately so the only way for us 'SR Veterans' to earn is by shopping and doing surveys. I don't have time to try for surveys, so for me, shopping is it. I really miss the offers and know I'd be more active on the site/forum if there were more earnings opportunities :) I still LOVE SR but there just isn't much for me to do in the way of earning anymore, and for me anyway, being active on the site and the forum go hand in hand.

As for the negativity, I think that communicating through text is hard enough. Add to that a thousand different personalities and you have and interesting situation. One that requires patience and understanding. It doesn’t bother me at all but I do think the mods should remove unnecessarily negative posts and I can just ignore the others.

Coupons…I agree with previous posts. There are way too many and I don’t even look at them. The forum can be a bit overwhelming, especially for a newbie.

[sqromano]

First, I have to say that I agree with a lot of the other posts. Thank you for taking care of the coupons. Sometimes, they were just too much to wade through. I check the forum daily, but I would sometimes have so little time that I would just exit out when I saw all the coupon posts. Second, the negativity doesn't always bother me. I sometimes get annoyed when there is complaining about missing big bonuses or not getting an AMP credit when some of us have regular no creits. I don't see a lot of gratitude for all the nice things SR does for us members. This is a voluntary thing, and I think a little more thankfulness would be nice sometimes! I do like seeing about other people's stories, although I am not so great about posting my own! I would love to have a resurgence of some of the family threads. I also use the forum to get problems solved with surveys, offers, etc., although I don't have as many questions now as I did when I first became active in SR.

[fourfoxesinpa]

I find myself spending more free time on Facebook catching up with friends than on here - with no disrespect to SR. The only posts I really find myself checking here on a regular basis are the announcements (to see if there is a contest) and the "Automatic Credit" thread to see what is working. Every now and then I'll surf through threads to see what's going on but definitely not as often as I used to before FB.

I don't play games here, I don't blog, buy ASOTV, or look at the entertainment news, so those threads aren't relevant to me. I guess, to sum it up, I say I use the forum primarily to find out how to increase my SR earnings and not for social networking, again with absolutely no "dis" to SR.

[m 'n c]

I see a lot of survey related posts - saying there are too many posts that tend to be negative and then others saying they like to have these posts.

Would it be too much of a hassle to keep all survey related posts into that technical issues thread? That way those who want to talk about surveys can in there and it is contained to one thread.

I know I try and move posts into that thread when I can but lately I just have been closing threads hoping people will redirect themselves there.

[SunshineGirl]

I've actually still been adding quite a few offers but am not seeing many people try them. I wonder if it is because I separated out the "freebies" that people are not seeing them?

[m 'n c]

I've actually still been adding quite a few offers but am not seeing many people try them. I wonder if it is because I separated out the "freebies" that people are not seeing them?

I was an avid freebie completer but with this being a horrible work year since October/November I haven't been able to try them as much as I have in the past. In fact, about all I have been able to do lately is shop through SR and complete the daily survey. Hopefully this will change in 2 weeks.

With that said, I haven't been bothered with them moving into their own section but those who aren't frequent visitors to the forums might not know about it and could be missing them.

[DarcyDog]

I've actually still been adding quite a few offers but am not seeing many people try them. I wonder if it is because I separated out the "freebies" that people are not seeing them?

I too used to do alot of offers, but I was having problems with my laptop and my computer guru (my nephew) told me he would not look at or fix my computer any longer if I continued with offers. The surveys were fine, but he was finding alot of stuff on my laptop that he believes was coming from clicking on so many of the items you must click on in order to complete an offer. To be honest, since I've stopped doing them, I've had absolutely no software type problems. Hardware is another story. The hinge has broken and it's being fixed.

I don't want to scare anyone away from doing offers. If you're able to do them with no problems go for it. I loved doing them and getting the credit, but I don't miss the problems I was having and since my computer knowledge is becoming increasingly limited, I have to rely on my nephew for support.

[faithhope]

I really dislike that the freebies and offers have been separated.... mainly because I can't figure out what is the difference between them... I tend to look at the freebie section, so I'm sure I'm missing offers that I might like to do. I'm usually more into doing freebies versus paid offers... though I have done one or two... but what I consider a freebie like joining a survey site... is also put into offers, and not freebies...even though it costs nothing. Because I'm being force to look at one or the other... I miss what is in the offer section because it is now something I have to actively look at knowing that I probably don't want to do most of them... so thus I miss the few I might do because it is now more of a bother.

I love the new traffic lights that give good feedback on the freebies. I love that sunshine rewards really screens the offers, so I can be 99.9% sure that I'll be safe doing offers here. Other sites might offer more freebies... but it isn't worth the risk... SR is the only site to do freebies on. As a professional in the computer security field. I know my computer hasn't "caught" anything from the offers on SR.

I miss the freebie contests that helped motivate me to do freebies, as it gave it a social/party atmosphere.

Thank you for all the effort you put into making SR better each day. I love how you ask us, and listen to us in helping to shape the future of SR.

[andrea2289]

I've actually still been adding quite a few offers but am not seeing many people try them. I wonder if it is because I separated out the "freebies" that people are not seeing them?

Tricia I didn't know they had been separated until about a week ago. I must have missed the announcement, and was just so used to going straight to 'all offers', I never even noticed the new Freebie category.


I love the new traffic lights that give good feedback on the freebies. .

Me too!! Love the traffic lights!


As a professional in the computer security field. I know my computer hasn't "caught" anything from the offers on SR.

I haven't either. As long as you have a good spyware/malware/virus protection, and know how to keep your computer 'clean', you should be fine.

[SunshineGirl]

Here's a little background on why we separated out the freebies. We were having a LOT of trouble with people joining SR and then doing the "most popular" offers in the list as soon as they signed up with us. They didn't understand that those "offers" were basically them selling their information. We lost a lot of new members because they thought WE started spamming them. We even had people threaten to sue us because they said that we violated our privacy policy.

The other thing is that the FTC is taking a hard stance on the freebie offers. They are saying that if you do not clearly mark the requirements for the offers, you can be held liable for false advertising. So we wanted to make the site absolutely clear what those offers mean. On the other hand, we didn't want to scare people off from doing the more legitimate surveys and offers.

It was a hard decision because we knew it meant that our profits would go down and we might lose some business. But I feel very strongly that it was the most ethical thing to do so that new members to the site wouldn't get confused anymore and have information sold that they didn't want sold.

[m 'n c]

Tricia - have you thought about having a glossary or some other link on the news page to explain out what is what and where to find things? I know it all seems kind of obvious to me because I'm on here multiple times per day but maybe that would be helpful to others.

I wonder if people would read it or just ignore it.

[andrea2289]

Or maybe an FAQ or 'Start Here'. When I first started SR I was very confused. I am computer savvy and was able to figure things out pretty easily but a lot of people need some sort of guide. If the forum is the only place to get help, that information might need to be prominent on the main site. Many people expect the help pages to be on the main site and wouldn’t think to go to the forum for that information. Some of my referrals have told me they were just too confused and never made it past the first few dollars. That may sound silly to those of us who have been around a while but I can remember being VERY confused when I started. IMO, that the more successful SR members are, the more excited and motivated they’d be and you might see an increase in forum chatter/involvement (trying to stay on topic lol).