I was downsized out of a job last year. While looking for a new job, I learned about survey sites. These sites gave you points to do simple tasks like answering surveys, watching videos, and whatnot. You could then trade these points for cash (and sometimes, gift cards).
What I liked about these sites is that it was simple to register and start doing tasks. Since I was also busy job-hunting, that system worked for me. I could answer surveys or watch videos on my commute or while waiting in the lobby of the company I was applying for.
During that period I ended up trying lots of survey sites, including SurveySavvy. These sites kept me afloat during those lean times. I liked them so much, I kept using a few even after I got a new job.
Since I tried so many different sites, I am able to tell whether a specific site is legit or not. In this review, I’ll be discussing SurveySavvy . Are they worth your valuable time and effort? Let’s find out.
First, A Few Things About SurveySavvy
SurveySavvy was founded in 1999. They’re one of the pioneers of the survey industry. They’ve been around for quite some time, but they’ve still managed to innovate via their SavvyConnect desktop app (which I’ll be discussing in a bit)
How do I Earn on SurveySavvy?
The all-important question. On SurveySavvy, all you do is fill out surveys. No watching videos or doing other tasks. So keep that in mind: you can only take surveys on this site.
Once you register, you will be asked to complete your member profile. Using this information, the site will invite you to specific surveys that match your demographic. You may also have to pass a pre-screening before being assigned a particular survey.
Once you complete a survey, you will be given a monetary reward, which you can withdraw later on. It’s that simple!
SavvyConnect
SavvyConnect is a “behavioral market research” app that you install on your desktop computer. Basically, what it does is observe your internet browsing habits. I opted not to use the app because privacy is very important to me. I wasn’t fond of the idea of an app studying my habits and sending them to companies.
In exchange for the, ahem, intrusion, the app will provide you with even more surveys to earn from. There’s also a monthly cash incentive, which i discuss in the next section.
Earning Potential
How much you earn is directly related to the number of surveys you take. And that, in turn, depends on how many surveys you qualify. Earnings for each survey depends on the length of the survey, as well as the company commissioning it. But the maximum I’ve earned for a single survey was $2 (most pay considerably less).
But the good thing is that if you use SavvyConnect and are a resident of the United States, you will get $5 each month.
Payment Options
SurveySavvy only pays through cheque. That’s a bit of a disappointment, because I really like the convenience that PayPal provides. Also, your cheque may take 4 to 6 weeks to arrive, which is even more disappointing.
There is a low minimum payout though: $1. But since your payouts are will come via the mail and may take over a month to arrive, you might as well save up your earnings first to make it worth it.
Joining SurveySavvy
Anyone ages 14 and up can join the site. Membership is free, which is good. Free membership is usually a sign that the site you’re joining is legit.
Make sure you provide your complete info. The site will use this info to match you with surveys that fit your profile.
SurveySavvy: The Good and Not-So-Good
I don’t think the perfect survey site has been invented yet. Even legit ones have a few features here and there that could use some improving. SurveySavvy is definitely not an exception. To make it easier for you to assess SurveySavvy, below is a break-down of the good and not-so-good things about the site.
The Good
The referral program goes down two levels
The referral programs of some sites only reward you for your direct recruits. SurveySavvy takes it up (or should I say down?) an extra level. You can also earn off the people your recruits refer. This is a big deal. A program such as this increases the chances of your earnings snowballing!
International eligibility
People from all over the world can join SurveySavvy. The fact that not all survey sites are open to international membership makes me appreciate SurveySavvy more.
Accredited by the Better Business Bureau
SurveySavvy currently has a grade of A+ from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can’t argue with that level of accreditation!
The Not-So-Good
Limited payment method
The only way to receive your payment is via cheque. The site has a low minimum payout of $1, but it irks me that I can only get my money through the mail. While that isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, I wonder why they couldn’t integrate PayPal into their operations.
Not enough surveys
It’s ironic that a company with the word “survey” in its name would run out of surveys, but that’s exactly what happens here. I would sometimes wait weeks just to qualify for a survey.
Lost payments
Since payouts are distributed via cheque, there’s a chance it could get lost in the mail. When I asked SurveySavvy what happened to my cheque, the person on the other line blamed the post office. While it may be the post office’s fault, I expected SurveySavvy to pick up the slack, since it was their decision send payments by mail. Sadly, nothing came of my calling them.
Privacy issues
SavvyConnect is a great app… except for the fact that it reads your browsing history. That’s a big no-no for me. Not even my wife has access to that sort of info!
The Verdict: Legit or Scam?
SurveySavvy isn’t completely without issues, but I would still consider them legit! Just manage your expectations while using this site. You may not always be eligible to take surveys, and their payment method is antiquated in this day and age of electronic transactions.
Those issues may not be deal-breakers for some people. If you’re one of those, go ahead and give SurveySavvy a try!
SurveySavvy Screenshots
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Your Turn
This review is based on my own experiences completing surveys on SurveySavvy. Now it’s your turn to share. Have you tried out the site? How often did you get surveys, and how much have you earned?
Let’s hear your stories!