topic Re: Input on work from home opportunities? in SmorgasBoard

Input on work from home opportunities?

Math_Rocks — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 04:42:30 GMT

So, DH is still looking for another job to help us make our bills and a friend suggested virtual call centers since he has a lot of experience in customer service. Does anyone know any legitimate sources for such work? And, in helping to try to research this, I keep seeing opportunities to earn money for taking surveys. I realize that the vast majority of these are scams and/or phishing for personal information but it seems like some might be legit an might help with a little extra part-time income.

This a link for signing up for free with survey companies:

http://www.moneybluebook.com/how-to-make-money-with-paid-online-surveys-and-avoid-internet-scams/

This one says companies are reputable and will refund sign-up fees if not happy but still make me a little wary:

http://www.legitimatebusinessreviews.com/index.php?page=surveys

If I were to use links from the latter, I'd definitely use a disposable credit card # and maybe set up a disposable e-mail address.

Any thoughts, comments or advice?

Re: Input on work from home opportunities?

MsKiwi — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 07:06:21 GMT

@Math_Rocks wrote:
So, DH is still looking for another job to help us make our bills and a friend suggested virtual call centers since he has a lot of experience in customer service. Does anyone know any legitimate sources for such work? And, in helping to try to research this, I keep seeing opportunities to earn money for taking surveys. I realize that the vast majority of these are scams and/or phishing for personal information but it seems like some might be legit an might help with a little extra part-time income.

This a link for signing up for free with survey companies:
http://www.moneybluebook.com/how-to-make-money-with-paid-online-surveys-and-avoid-internet-scams/

This one says companies are reputable and will refund sign-up fees if not happy but still make me a little wary:
http://www.legitimatebusinessreviews.com/index.php?page=surveys

If I were to use links from the latter, I'd definitely use a disposable credit card # and maybe set up a disposable e-mail address.

Any thoughts, comments or advice?

I utilize FGI, Pinecone Research and Opinion Place and My Points (for the gift cards you can redeem). The pay is only a feww $$ per survey but it helps to fund my Ebay addiction. If any survey place asks you to pay for anything run away, it's a scam.

I get offers from a few others but the surveys are few and far between. I only do surveys that pay through paypal.

Edited to change *pays for to *helps fund my ebay addiction.

Message Edited by MsKiwi on 02-11-2009 11:06 PM

Re: Input on work from home opportunities?

Junejer — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:32:09 GMT

I agree with Ms. Kiwi, if they are asking for $ (they will say it's to weed out the "lookie Lou's" or tirekickers), I would run fast.

Re: Input on work from home opportunities?

Scamp — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:02:50 GMT

MR, the only legit work-at-home type company I know of is Alpine Access (not saying there aren't others, just that Alpine's the only one I personally know of).

I don't have the link offhand, but a quick Google search should turn them up.

Re: Input on work from home opportunities?

MsKiwi — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:55:37 GMT

I just thought of something. I believe 1800flowers has CS opportunities that allow you to work from home. Go to their web site. I may be confusing flower sites but I do remember it was a flower site.

Re: Input on work from home opportunities?

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:51:58 GMT

Go to alpine.com they said they would be hiring abt 1200 people after the first of the year. One of the news stations did a story on them. They pay by the hour (pay if you have calls or not) plus they have insurance after three months.

I have no personal experience with them. Good Luck Vicki

Message Edited by greyhound2007 on 02-12-2009 01:51 PM

Re: Input on work from home opportunities?

Math_Rocks — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 04:11:52 GMT

@Scamp wrote:
MR, the only legit work-at-home type company I know of is Alpine Access (not saying there aren't others, just that Alpine's the only one I personally know of).

I don't have the link offhand, but a quick Google search should turn them up.

Scamp,

DH was just looking into Alpine Access and, if he passes initial screening, he would then have to pay $45 for a background check and drug test. Does this sound legit to you?

Re: Input on work from home opportunities?

Junejer — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:31:13 GMT

Hi Math, I am not Scamp, but at least it goes for something legitimate. Other programs that want you to pay for "their program" is what I think most of us would advise to steer clear of.

Re: Input on work from home opportunities?

Scamp — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 20:40:28 GMT

Math_Rocks wrote:
@Scamp wrote:
MR, the only legit work-at-home type company I know of is Alpine Access (not saying there aren't others, just that Alpine's the only one I personally know of).

I don't have the link offhand, but a quick Google search should turn them up.
Scamp,

DH was just looking into Alpine Access and, if he passes initial screening, he would then have to pay $45 for a background check and drug test. Does this sound legit to you?

Hi, Math - sorry I was slow to get back to you.

I hadn't heard about this fee, but after doing a Google search on "Alpine Access Scam" to see if that turned up anything bad, I'm still leaning toward it being legit because I CAN'T find any word on them being a scam. Their website does say that they're now requiring the BG check and drug test, though I'm a bit surprised they're asking applicants to pay for it.

As ByrdMan kindly noted in my absence, at least you're paying for something real, and if you get that far, it appears your DH either will have been offered a position pending the results, or will be offered one if he comes back clean.

They were featured in a local news story, which is why I felt safe making note of them for future reference if I ever wanted/needed some kind of work-at-home job.

Best recommendation I can make is for you to research them as much as you can on your own, and then proceed however your own instincts and knowledge tell you.

Good luck!

Re: Input on work from home opportunities?

Math_Rocks — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:05:28 GMT

@MsKiwi wrote:
@Math_Rocks wrote:
So, DH is still looking for another job to help us make our bills and a friend suggested virtual call centers since he has a lot of experience in customer service. Does anyone know any legitimate sources for such work? And, in helping to try to research this, I keep seeing opportunities to earn money for taking surveys. I realize that the vast majority of these are scams and/or phishing for personal information but it seems like some might be legit an might help with a little extra part-time income.

This a link for signing up for free with survey companies:
http://www.moneybluebook.com/how-to-make-money-with-paid-online-surveys-and-avoid-internet-scams/

This one says companies are reputable and will refund sign-up fees if not happy but still make me a little wary:
http://www.legitimatebusinessreviews.com/index.php?page=surveys

If I were to use links from the latter, I'd definitely use a disposable credit card # and maybe set up a disposable e-mail address.

Any thoughts, comments or advice?

I utilize FGI, Pinecone Research and Opinion Place and My Points (for the gift cards you can redeem). The pay is only a feww $$ per survey but it helps to fund my Ebay addiction. If any survey place asks you to pay for anything run away, it's a scam.

I get offers from a few others but the surveys are few and far between. I only do surveys that pay through paypal.

Edited to change *pays for to *helps fund my ebay addiction.
Message Edited by MsKiwi on 02-11-2009 11:06 PM

Kiwi,

How did you get involved with Pinecone? I don't see any way to sign up on their website.

Re: Input on work from home opportunities?

MsKiwi — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:54:37 GMT

@Math_Rocks wrote:
@MsKiwi wrote:
@Math_Rocks wrote:
So, DH is still looking for another job to help us make our bills and a friend suggested virtual call centers since he has a lot of experience in customer service. Does anyone know any legitimate sources for such work? And, in helping to try to research this, I keep seeing opportunities to earn money for taking surveys. I realize that the vast majority of these are scams and/or phishing for personal information but it seems like some might be legit an might help with a little extra part-time income.

This a link for signing up for free with survey companies:
http://www.moneybluebook.com/how-to-make-money-with-paid-online-surveys-and-avoid-internet-scams/

This one says companies are reputable and will refund sign-up fees if not happy but still make me a little wary:
http://www.legitimatebusinessreviews.com/index.php?page=surveys

If I were to use links from the latter, I'd definitely use a disposable credit card # and maybe set up a disposable e-mail address.

Any thoughts, comments or advice?

I utilize FGI, Pinecone Research and Opinion Place and My Points (for the gift cards you can redeem). The pay is only a feww $$ per survey but it helps to fund my Ebay addiction. If any survey place asks you to pay for anything run away, it's a scam.

I get offers from a few others but the surveys are few and far between. I only do surveys that pay through paypal.

Edited to change *pays for to *helps fund my ebay addiction.
Message Edited by MsKiwi on 02-11-2009 11:06 PM
Kiwi,

How did you get involved with Pinecone? I don't see any way to sign up on their website.

It's been so long I don't remember if I signed up from my points or reward port. I'll try signing in to see if there is a way I can refer a friend, if so I'll pm you with the info.

Re: Input on work from home opportunities?

MsKiwi — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 05:01:36 GMT

I just signed on to their site and they don't take referrals. It states in their faq's that they occasionally run banners on different web sites. I'm thinking I must have signed up through my points. I never click on banners.

Re: Input on work from home opportunities?

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 05:51:25 GMT

i work at home. my company is

Westathome.com we take orders off the tv...anything like those Time life cds, Magic bullet blender,Temperpedic mattress....etc...

You do not pay to sign up for this company. I been with them for over a year and like it because you set your own sechdule.

Re: Input on work from home opportunities?

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:39:03 GMT

I'd be wary of any compnay that asks for money up front, even if it's for a background check and drug test. My brother works for an investment bank and had to pay for his own drug test, but he went to an actual place where he paid for it right before they collected his urine...

If they're asking you to pay them directly, it's almost certainly a scam. Otherwise, just check the Better Business Bureau website. And keep in mind, just because you can find anything that says it's a scam, doesn't mean it's legit; it may just mean you're one of the first they're scamming.

Re: Input on work from home opportunities?

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:53:07 GMT

I can't remember now which blog it was (and can't find it by Googling), but a few months back I read a nice overview of many of the survey sites from someone who had tried a lot of them. S/he broke down the pros and cons and which ones s/he ended up staying with. I signed up with Opinion Outpost and MySurvey.com. Since December, I've completed enough surveys at Opinion Outpost to cash out (they require a $5/50 point minimum). The emails don't go to my main email account, and I sometimes miss opportunities because I don't check the account every day; I also don't qualify for many of them because I don't eat fast food or have HD cable, for example. So far MySurvey has only sent me one survey I think--they're very limited, and apparently it takes several weeks-up to 2 months to get your first one. I don't see that one being a money maker. Basically, they don't take me that much time and it's a tiny bit of extra cash comparable to FatWallet.

Pinecone is only open to new members periodically. They will put banner ads on websites when they're seeking new members, and clicking on one of those or surfing to their website during that time period is the only way to join. Apparently they are quite good, so you might want to join an RSS feed for one of the work at home/dollar stretcher sites so you know the next time they have open enrollment.

This blog has a rundown of how this woman is making around $300/month doing surveys and paid emails. It may not be worth the time spent to you, or it might. Good luck!