oh, good grief!Quote:
Originally Posted by SunshineGirl
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oh, good grief!Quote:
Originally Posted by SunshineGirl
Then maybe you won't have to worry about doing anything. Maybe they will get frustrated and just stop clicking all on their own. Then everything is settled.Quote:
Originally Posted by SunshineGirl
I mean probably if you asked everyone on here, they would think that some things favor some people and some things favor other people. When i wasn't SM, I don't remember getting locked out of the click thing and thinking darn I got locked out by someone else. I just moved on.
That is true; I don't think that I was locked out by someone else, I just think "whoops I was too late".Quote:
Originally Posted by penn19
Well if you based it on surveys, I would probably rarely be able to do scratch off. I'm one of the people that stops by most days & does the scratch off. However, I RARELY qualify for the surveys--I think I have qualified (and completed) 4 since I joined in early November. I look at the scratch off as a consolation prize since I TRY to complete the surveys, but usually don't qualify.
I have done a fair bit of shopping, though, so maybe you need to have one qualifying transaction in a certain time period (weekly or monthly would be fair) to be able to get the scratch off.
I guess I'm one of the guilty ones -- because I do the scratch off every morning. I do not buy over the internet so I don't shop here. I've tried doing the surveys but everytime I've tried ~~ I do not qualify. Believe me I'd love to earn credit here faster ~~ I'll probably be retired before I hit the $20. I do the paid clicks when I can get them but other than that I haven't been able to find anyway to earn credits. Any help would be appreciated. I've just discovered the arcade recently but since I don't shop over the internet -- I won't upgrade. So maybe I should just drop out now. I can see where you'd be upset that I took someone elses chance to earn a few pennies away. And I don't say that in a mean or nasty way so please don't take it that way. When there was a contest a few weeks back to do surveys ~~ I went through page after page after page only to get frustrated after what seemed like 20 pages or more and by then I was so confused on whether I was still on the same survey or switched to another one that I just gave up. That has happened many times to me too. I belong to a reward program and they offer OTX Surveys too. I used to qualify for them once or two every 2 or 3 months but I haven't qualified for it in years ~~ either here or there.
See, I don't think this makes you "guilty". Everyone has a different comfort level not only with this site, but with the internet in general. I think there can be something for everyone, unless it is really affecting SR's viability. If SR is willing to pay up to 3 cents for 600 clicks a day, I'm not sure it matters who gets those clicks. Before I was SM, I never felt like someone else took my chance - I just needed to get up earlier.Quote:
Originally Posted by crochet4hats
I generally don't do offers because I won't give out my phone number and won't provide a false one. Unless it is an e-mail newsletter or a product I am interested in, I won't do it, which means no MID or Aisle 7 or Consumer Rewards for me because they ask for a phone number. I'll give my real e-mail and my real address, but don't call me at home! It's a different comfort level from some other people, and I have to find other ways to make money. But I do shop online, and I always check here first for what I need.
As far as the surveys (and this might get deleted, but it is meant to be helpful), I have a terrible time qualifying for OTX and only try it a few times a week because I get frustrated starting the same surveys over and over and getting disqualified just like I did the day before. I can always count on the same several surveys to start OTX, but sometimes I get lucky and actually qualify. I have better luck with the Daily Surveys. You can keep trying those as your time allows until you get the "You've successfully completed the study" message. Sometimes I get one on the first try, but I usually have to try several times. There was a dry period for much of the first of the month, but I was able to qualify over the weekend. Daily Surveys seem to be more plentiful in the past few days - you might try again, and remember you can keep trying during the day, even if it says there are no surveys for you.
Hope this helps!
Not sure if this has been suggested, could the scratch off screen come up after you have either completed a survey or did not complete a survey? Sure would be a nice consolation to see that screen come up after you don't qualify for a survey.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MKCP84
I like that idea, but would it be available to everyone or capped at 600 like it is now?
I would be disappointed if the scratch off was somehow limited. I try the scratch off everyday but don't make a lot of money on it. I also try for a survey everyday and it's a big month when I qualify for 3 surveys. Still I do keep trying. I haven't earned a lot from SR but I don't really expect to. As a Canadian I don't qualify for a lot of the offers. Every once in a while I go through some of them and try to qualify but get an awful lot of "this offer isn't available in your area" pages.
I don't shop a lot on the internet but have shopped through SR once or twice. If I shop at US stores I have to pay very high shipping costs which negates any savings plus with the CDN $$ down at the moment it doesn't make sense. There are a few CDN stores in the shopping section but most I don't shop at in the "bricks and mortar store" so I don't shop at them online either.
While I understand that SR has to make money I would be disappointed if the scratch off (or anything else) was limited because of the amount of transactions I've done (or not done).
I've posted in the forums about making more money as a Cdn and no one has replied to it and made suggestions so it's not like I haven't tried to participate. I knew joining SR that I would be limited in the amounts I could make and that was fine with me. With the talk of these changes though I almost feel unwelcome.
Oh, I like this idea!!! I think more people would try for surveys if they knew they would get the opportunity to do the scratch off and be entered in the second chance sweeps!Quote:
Originally Posted by MKCP84
I'm not sure how to respond to this without offending someone or other. This will be long...sorry.
I am not a "big" earner here like some are, but I have been around a while, and I consider myself an active member of this community, even when I am not earning a lot. I have been a SM in the past, but I, like others, have had much more difficulty getting surveys and offers to credit as time has gone on. So much so, that I often don't even attempt, because it becomes a waste of my time. Combine that with going back to work full time a little over a year ago, and my time here has significantly decreased...also decreasing my earnings potential.
Even though I am not a big "SM" earner anymore, and able to take advantage of the "perks" associated, SR is one of my first internet stops every morning. I check for paid clicks, do SO (if available), then check into the forum. Many days I do not attempt a survey or any offers due to lack of time or motivation to do so. (love the second chance thing, at least gives me some motivation to try!) I DO shop through SR as often as I can...but I have significantly limited my spending lately, so that has decreased as well. I do also take part, when I can, in forum contests also.
Does the fact that I don't try or complete as many offers or surveys as I used to, make me one of those who "takes advantage" of the clicks and SO...maybe. Maybe the fact that I participate in forum contests without earning a lot otherwise makes me one who takes advantage too...I don't know. (should contests have an earnings limit to participate too?)
My point...am I a big earner, no, not anymore...but I still enjoy my time here, and doing the SO and clicks, as well as participating in the forums are a part of that for me, even though I don't earn a lot otherwise. It gives me the feeling that I still at least can earn something, even if I can't get things to credit, or have the time to sit for an hour to try to qualify for a survey.
While I don't think this whole thread is directed particularly toward those like me who participate regularly in other ways??...I would NOT like to see SO tied to an earnings level. Personally, I have no problem with it the way it is. When you offer something like that there will always be those who take advantage of that earnings potential, whether or not they participate in other ways.
But, I do understand that SR is a business, and that you have to make decisions that help the business to run better and earn more money..that's the point in a business, after all, right? And making it the most fair for everyone is important, I guess...
Please don't misunderstand, I love SR! I am not tying to "dis" it in any way...but this whole thread does make me a little defensive...as if I'm not important because I "take advantage" without earning enough.
Silly that a measley $.03 potential can cause so much of a reaction.
The bottom line for me:
I would rather just see SO stay the way it is, or go away entirely, so that it doesn't seem so much like playing "favorites."
Just my $.02, for what it's worth.
Add me to this group. Heck, my member number is 681 so I was here for a long time before I started doing offers and surveys on a regular basis. I just didn't understand how people were making so much money.Quote:
Originally Posted by piglet-for-me
I really can't imagine there are enough non-Supermembers who do nothing else on SR and (1) can be one of the first 600 to access the scratch off every day and (2) get .03 on each attempt, thereby allowing them to cash off in two years, to make this a big enough issue to change policies in drastic ways.
In this thread, there are at least 3 members who were clueless on what to do other than the emails and Scratch off. Instead of jumping to a shift in policy, maybe some different tools could be developed to educate newbies and "barely-there" members on how to complete offers or surveys. There are many people who are afraid, for privacy reasons, to participate in forums - it would be very hard to get them to post there for the lure of 3 pennies a day. Something else other than the forum - maybe more emails, blogs, videoblog or instructional podcast to download would help those members realize what SR is about and how to make it work better for them (and, in turn, you.)
I must have 17 referrals who are stuck at less than $2.25 earnings - I don't know who they are so I can't communicate with them but I believe they all came from the now defunct Boomertowne site. If you read the DIS, there are so many people over there who post that they are members and just don't understand how others are earning the money. It seems like a great opportunity for promotion/education. This is what they call a "growing pain."
I believe everyone here became a member because they wanted to make some $ - and it may be that some just might not be sure how to do it.
There are definitely a few different issues going on here...
One is education. And Angie is currently working on some videos to help members learn how to make the most of SR. Hopefully that will help people who WANT to make more money be able to do so.
Two is opportunity. For some people, the surveys ARE hard to get for some reason. Hopefully the Second Chance Sweeps is going to help with that. It will at least give people a reason to participate, even if they get kicked out.
Third is the business aspect. I want to be sure that we are being fair to the members who are active at SR in one way or another. That's tricky because there are lots of different ways to "participate"--referring friends, being active in the forum, completing offers, shopping, taking surveys, etc. It's impossible to quantify because we are so multi-faceted.
I'm still on the fence. We may have to do something creative and just mix everything up a little bit to make it different. Just feels like the current scratchc off method has gotten a little stagnant. The same people know when to log in each day to get it and most other people don't even try because they will be locked out. Maybe we need to find a way to randomize when the 600 clicks are available. Might be a hassle for SunshineGuy, but he needs more work anyway. ;)
It didn't take me so long to figure out that the forum was a big help to me in earning money - maybe I was a quick learner or something! But I can see how it would be that some would take it slower, and it would be a helpful thing if people could be encouraged to read the forums and find that there is more that they can do and it isn't really so hard to find out how to earn a little more.Quote:
Originally Posted by fourfoxesinpa
And yes, I sort of think all these shifts in policy might serve to drive some away, rather than draw them in more. For myself, I don't mind some of the changes and ones I do mind a little I can still deal with - but then I have been here a while and have some loyalty built up and know the advantages of SR. Some who are newer or less active might feel more like giving up. So whatever is done really needs to be more along the line of promotion/education, like the above poster states. Just my thots, for whatever they're worth!
Two things are certain: 1) we are going to keep giving away the same amount of money, and 2) it won't just be for Super Members.
I've been reading and can understand from where everyone is coming. However, I have to say that I only joined SR in April 2008 and at first was overwhelmed by what it was I needed to do. I didn't think I'd ever get it. But I persevered, read the forums, asked a lot of questions in the forum, and eventually learned what I needed to do. There are still many days when I don't get 1 or more surveys, but I still keep coming back and trying every day.
I guess what I'm saying is that it took a little work on my part to figure out what I needed to do, but I did it. I think the educational videos will be a huge help and I'm sure I will learn something I didn't know before. Whatever the decision is, I will support it, and I'll still be here every day trying for my surveys and doing offers.
I haven't been here long, so maybe my opinion can still be taken as a newbie. The first month or two after I joined, all I mostly did was the scratch off and paid clicks. It took me a while to figure out how to do other things on here. At first I had a hard time getting offers to credit, and I didn't know about the surveys available. I read the forums, but not everyone who joins is going to do that.
I agree that more info on how to use the site would be great for new members and for some who have been here for a while. I have noticed that when you log in, there are links right on the front page for all the surveys, I think that is great.
I don't think that the majority of people who are scratching off every day, but not doing much else, are trying to take advantage. I really think that they could use more guidance in how to use the site.
I understand what you are saying, but it's not something bothered me when I wasn't a SM and got locked out of the scratch off. The way I see it is if I am doing surveys, offers and shopping then I am still way ahead of the person who comes here to make at most, 3 cents per day. As others have pointed out, it will take them 2 years to be able to cash out by doing that.
I don't know if you use membership numbers in your business model to get new opportunites, but if you do then those people are helping out SR in that way. They are still active members. I say this not knowing at all if you use these statistics or not.
I rarely get the scratch of right so I guess it doesn't impact me that much. That is the point of view I am coming from.
Guidence and education or tutorials on the site are a great idea, but only those who really want to earn will bother with them. I work in my families business and the truth is that the people who want to take advantage of any program you offer will and they will be the first ones to complain and also the most vocal. SR is a great site--I have switched to doing all my shopping and such through them because of the forum and the fact that you can ask a question or look for answers to your problems. The daily scratch off is a nice extra but it is not why I am a member. I'm sure my opinions will upset or offened some.
I am not a super member, and probably never will be. Though, I do other offers too. I like the sunshine scratch off. Maybe it should be invitational some how to those of us who are not super members, but do participate in other ways. Is there some way to "lock" access to those who nothing other than the sunshine scratch off?
As a newbie (joined March 2008)...the thing that got me started was the Scratch off and the daily clicks....it takes awhile to get the hang of offers/surveys/clearing cookies......it's hard to get in the swing. It probaby took me 3-4 months of trying, getting frustrated, reading all the forums, quitting, and trying again. Now, I have been supermember for the last 2 quarters and will probably continue to be a super member. But, there is a learning curve.
My point is, that Scratch off and daily clicks are a good way to "hook" new people and then as their comfort level rises, they will venture out and find new ways to earn "free" money!! I think it is an incentive for new members to keep coming back and trying.
I think it's fine the way it is, I don't feel bad if I'm locked out....I just move on....AND, if I did feel bad about being locked out, that's just another incentive to be a supemember. I would feel bad if the Scratch Off was for a higher dollar amount and I was locked out, but for 3 cents, I'm okay with it.
BUT, I'm new and I might not understand all the ins/outs either! Just adding my "3 cents"..he he he.
I have 12 referrals. Only 3 of them have earned over $5. I often wish there was a way that I could personally help them but often times I don't know who they are. Besides that only a handful of them show up on my referrals so I can only see like 6 of them anyway. I found out a neighbor signed up under me but her name doesn't show up on my referrals. Maybe the others are neighbors too but I can't help them get started.
I have read all the posts now - I should have done this before I did my last post. I do have some additional comments. I am not sure how long I have been a member - maybe 2 years. The amount I have made with Scratch Off is only 0.53.
As far as education - it does take some time to figure out how to use this site. Though, like my daily log in to SR, I always do a quick scan of the forums (this is where I have learned the most).
As far as being shut out of the scratch off - yeah I am one of the ones who seem to always be locked out, because I check on things later in the evening (after work hours). I probably would have made more from the scratch off, if I was not locked out. Though it is also not my only reason for checking things out.
Sometimes, it is hard to earn $$ - things I try to do not pay off - despite following advice etc. When I earn 0.01 on the paid clicks - it shows to me that things are still working and gives me faith to keep trying offers.
I hope these comments help.
:)
I totally agree with this post. THe scratch offs, paid clicks and paid emails are what kept me coming back when I first started it was frustrating at first to try survey after survey and not get anything, those pennies added up and after you reach that first cash out you get motivated to hunt down more money.Quote:
Originally Posted by hayloburger
I just talked to SG and we are leaning toward randomizing what time the scratch off starts fresh every day. That accomplishes a couple of goals:
1) takes away any time zone benefit that some people are getting now
2) helps people who cannot log in from work during the day
3) encourages people to visit SR more often than just midnight Eastern
Then in combination with that we will do some education on how to make the most of SR. That may even include sending some emails to people who onlyl do the scratch off to see if the WANT to learn how to earn more or not and then encouraging them to watch the videos and come to the forum.
I do really appreciate all of the feedback. It's interesting to me to hear what the scratch off means to different people. We started it just on a lark a couple of years ago and (although I have to admit that I haven't even looked at it in over a year) it seems that it is very important to some of our members. :)
They sound like great ideas. If I could make another suggestion - because it's been so long since I joined, I don't remember anything about the email I got from SR...and this could already be something that's in place...
When a new member signs up, maybe they could get some kind of welcome email that contains links to the "tutoring" on how to complete a survey or an offer. A link to the forum on where to find help would also be helpful. Like I mentioned, most of my referrals have only earned a few pennies after their initial $2 and I wonder how many of them just have no clue what to do.
Thanks for asking for our input - you don't have to do that and it makes us feel "appreciated."
Another thought...
Let me start off by saying that SR is my main site, and I love it here.
I must admit I do other sites for clicks. I started SR for the clicks and paid emails (only because I didn't know how to do more). I've seen click sites come and go through the years... And I know that SR is going to be around a long time (You can tell by the information the SR team gives us - they are honest with us. They are also very involved every day, and it is personal to them, and they have a large LOYAL following).
To the point... I don't think all the sites in my click list are going to be around in a year... I know if I was a main member of one of those sites, when I needed to pick a new site to be my main site, I'd probably pick one I was already familiar with via visits and clicks.
I think every site needs a daily game or click or some reason for people to come back every day. But I agree that changing it now and then to freshen up the site is also a good idea...
Maybe a penny for watching the latest video instead of scratch off, when there is a new video. Scratch off isn't available today, but the first xx visitors to watch this video will get a penny. Scratch off will be back tomorrow. Maybe a penny to set up a gift reminder or sunshine saver...
use the click to encourage them to see more of the site, or to learn more about what the site has to offer.
This is actually something that we have been working in to the new member emails. I think they get .05 now for setting up a sunshine saver plus .05 for joining the forum. We're also changing the sign up process to allow for X for people to complete their demographic information. Angie talked to some folks about that last week. So most people will get like 2.25 or 2.50 when they sign up just for trying things out.Quote:
Originally Posted by faithhope
I'd love to find a way to entice people to watch the videos more.
Even though cange can be difficult...it's good to shake things up every now and then. I always felt bad for the west coast crowd.Quote:
Originally Posted by SunshineGirl
One of the best things about SR is the "cameraderie" aspect. I agree...thanks Tricia for always keeping us in the loop and for even asking for our opinionsQuote:
Originally Posted by fourfoxesinpa
I just want to say ditto - I really truly appreciate that you respect us enough as your members to allow us to share our thoughts and ideas with you. You're a diamond in the rough.Quote:
Originally Posted by fourfoxesinpa
I think randomizing the scratch off is a great idea and an ideal compromise. Perhaps by changing it up you'll be able to see if it impacts the mix of members getting the 600 clicks.
I did notice on the "edit your account" page that things were added to fill out....what does filling out this (more personal) information do to help you or me for that matter? I don't mind filling it out, I was just curious as to why you would need this info?Quote:
Originally Posted by SunshineGirl
I don't need to be paid for watching new videos, I love watching the new ones when they are put up :D...but maybe sending out an email with .01 to watch would help...getting paid only AFTER the whole video is watched, if that's even possible to do?
Quote:
Originally Posted by PSL1013
Now that we are working with another survey company (the one that we got the "moms over 40 with kids 6-12 who eat candy" survey from), they want to know if we can target certain demographics really quickly. If we know you are a member of that group, we can email you for the quick turn-around surveys.
Cool I added my latest info.
ah ok, thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by SunshineGirl
Hmmm....I try both the scratch off and paid clicks every day in addition to trying offers and surveys. Sometimes I can't get anything to credit and sometimes I'm on a roll. I haven't been able to get a survey in weeks, Greenfield or OTX, but have done well on offers I appreciate the "pennies" I get from the scratch off and paid clicks when I can get them. So, that is a quandry as to setting rules for the scratch off...I post in the forum when I can, but with my work schedule, posting is always if I can fit it in after getting home after a 10-12 hour work day and taking care of business at home and getting on Sunshine Rewards. I would hate to see the scratch off disappear or be restricted for me....those pennies count-especially at the end of the quarter! :sunshine:
Along with surveys being hard to get, I think the message that comes up when you don't qualify the first time is rather misleading. It tells the person to try again tomorrow ---- which isn't really the case. Sometimes I try right away again and end up getting and completing a survey. Other times I try back a little later and there are more options. I know that I believed that message in the beginning - I truly thought that if I didn't qualify the first time, that was my one and only chance for the day. Maybe it would help others if the message said try again instead of come back tomorrow.Quote:
Originally Posted by SunshineGirl
Just another idea.
Okay, I've read most of the posts and some brought up some great thoughts and suggestions. Maybe some of those that only do the SO and cashout do so because they first want to see if SR is a legimate rewards site before they get too involve. At least that was the case for me. I didn't do much of anything until I earned enough to cash out for the first time and actually received my gift card from SR. Now, I'm totally committed and love SR. I participate in every aspect of SR as possible.
With that being said, hopefully, now those that have cashed out once by earning only through SO will now know that SR is legitimate and will invest more of their time. :)
Never knew a game could hold such a large discussion. I remember way back asking us if we were bored looking at the Leprechaun and wanting to know if you should change it.:rotfl:Quote:
Originally Posted by SunshineGirl
I remember that. I was all for changing the picture as that laughing leprauchan really gets to me!Quote:
Originally Posted by OhMari
I have to agree with most of the others that doing away with the scratch off for the newer members would be a huge mistake. I too have been a member since Sept 06 and that used to be the most that I did. The second quarter I was a member I became an SM and have been one every quarter since then. My TOTAL scratch off earnings to date are $2.80, $3.32 with emails and $5.74 with paid clicks, not even enough to cash out once. But I had to learn the ropes and see that the sight was legit. There have been some great suggestions I HEARTILY agree that we need a tutorial on how to make money on SR. It couldn't hurt the older members either, usually there is always something we are missing. When SR ran the first contest to sign up members I had 16 sign up but only 3 or 4 make it past $5 and I had no way to contact most of them to help them get over the $5 hump :( (Sad for me but sadder still for SR) Maybe we could have a place for newbies to hook up with an SR buddy to help them get through the first steps of earning money on SR.
I was wondering if for the Scratch Off in addition to the .03, .02 and .01 you couldn't maybe add (a consolation incentive) like "earn an extra .10 if you complete an Aisle 7 offer today" "make up to 3 posts on the members question & answer forum and earn .01 a post"; "Complete 2 surveys today and get a .15 bonus" "complete such & such an offer and get __"; "earn double for a paid offer" ; "make an eBay purchase today and get double credits" or "you have earned a chance in the second chance survey drawing" or "sign up a friend today and earn $3 when they earn $5" "Earn .02 for getting a top 10 score on such and such arcade game" The incentives are limitless and you could maybe get more people to do more things on SR. These would be great motivators, just like the forum games etc. I know it may be a nightmare for SG (sorry) but I think it would be a great motivator for SR members!!! Just my .02