internetopiniongroup.com

[mercinary]

Received another one of these....AGAIN!


CustomerService
Market Survey Group
PO Box 390520
Mountain View, CA 94039-0520
-----------------------------------------------------------
Delivery Confirmation #7303-WGC56142190
To: Member #56142190
-----------------------------------------------------------

To receive your gift, please click on or cut and paste:

http://www.directrain.net/ti/3077/56142190/2pp963o32n21


We have been trying to reach you in order to deliver our $250.00 gift
certificate for a shopping spree at your choice of Victoria's Secret, Target,
Bath & Body
works, or Macy's!

Go shopping at one of your favorite malls or department stores with a
$250 Shopping GiftCard!

Please visit our website at

http://www.directrain.net/ti/3077/56142190/2pp963o32n21


Thank you,
Jorne Silverman
Customer Service Rep.
Market Survey Group



Check out the help section....



Step 3: Complete the required sponsored offers.
Our sponsors cover the entire cost of your gift along with the shipping & handling fees. In order for us to provide this great service to InternetOpinionGroup.com members, we need your support!

What does "complete" exactly mean?
By "completing" an offer, you are fulfilling the requirements outlined on the pop-up window that comes up when you click on an offer. For credit card offers, you must be approved for and activate that credit card to "complete" the offer.*

When our sponsors report to us that you completed their offers, your Account will be updated accordingly. This will generally take 6 to 8 weeks.


-Merc

[nicoleeubanks]

Yea, I actually fell for that the first time. Really ticked me off. I figured for what they were offering it would be worth putting a few dollard here and there on their "offers". Little did I know that each tier offered less and less "offers" to where the last one or two were like for credit cards you wouldn't want to apply for and that was the only offer they had available. They know they are not going to have people actually complete and qualify for everything and it's really crappy the way they set it out there to make it look so good at first. I have gotten several of these emails since the first one I got and they always make it look like they are looking for people to take surveys or "product testers". I can always tell it's the same ones byt he "enter your zip code" thing they have, like they are going to say anyone is not in the "area" that they need. Aggravating is all I can say. Anyway, when I saw this I wanted to input my 2 cents because this had ticked me off before.

[mercinary]

Here is yet another email I received which leads to the same place:


CustomerService
IOG Shipping
PO Box 390520
Mountain View, CA 94039-0520
-----------------------------------------------------------
Delivery Confirmation #190-srnns5300nqr
To: Member #56142190
-----------------------------------------------------------

To receive your Playstation 2, please click on or cut and paste:
http://thirdpost.com/ship_now/3123/56142190

We've been trying to reach you in order to deliver your slim Playstation 2. I'm
sorry we were not able to reach you before Christmas. You were selected to
receive the Playstation by Market Survey Group, which will give it too you just
by answering a 3-minute survey

Please visit our website at http://thirdpost.com/ship_now/3123/56142190

Thank you,
Jill Santo
Customer Service Rep.
IOG Shipping



-Merc

[Dreamer]

D.3) Member understands that, in some cases, there may be delay in the crediting of free gifts for promotions of advertisers or partners due to advertiser's or partner's failure to provide necessary information to InternetOpinionGroup.COM for such crediting of free gifts. InternetOpinionGroup.COM will not be responsible or liable for the delay or failure to credit free gifts in such an event.

So, you can fulfill whatever you need to, but if the sponsor forgets to credit you, or IOG conviently forgets to record that you fulfilled it, you SOL.

[mercinary]

And once again....same beast, different skin:

Based on a recommendation we recieved we thought you'd love to participate in
our holiday laptop give away!

Which laptop do you like more, the Apple iBook or the Sony_VAIO?

Tell us which one you like more, and YOU GET IT FREE

You better thank your friends...because you're getting a _FREE_ laptop!

This year, Christmas is on US!

http://www.hiptrees.com/i/3137/56142190/67o91711p098

-Merc

[quanderous]

I've been duped by the "survey" once or twice, it's very aggrivating. There's no opinion involved! Also I've been getting a lot of these emails lately and found this thread in my search to verify its validity. Not that I thought it might be valid, but I was curious.

Thanks!

[RandallW]

When you get some offer from company you haven't signed up with, why even look at the offer? If you didn't want this offer, it's spam......and spammers are sleaze. And what's the chance that sleaze is honorable enough to send you what's promised?

Delete the mail; or report it as spam first, then delete.

I've been getting this spam for a month to my Hotmail account; the MSN filtering hasn't adjusted yet.

[TaxNut]

I received my "Approved" status and mailed in my certificates to receive my gift. Anyone else experieced this yet?

[faded]

I actually just recently checked into internetopiniongroup.com and registered, and I completed all 6 of the required sponsers. Right now when I log into my account, 4 out of the 6 show "in progress" the other two are still pending. I know its supposed to take 6-8 weeks for the "in progress" to change to "approved," but I just thought I'd check on this forum to see if this was supposed to be a scam, or if its legit. It sounds legit to me.

[faded]

bump.

anybody?

[mercinary]

Recently at least four of these "Get stuff by signing up for offers" sites was taken offline for legal reasons. See <a href="http://www.matrixwatch.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2647"> here</a>.

I don't know if anyone is labeling them a scam (yet), but they are awful sketchy and apparently unregulated. They are walking a dangerous line I imagine.

-Merc

[faded]

Right now I trying to get something from internetopniongroup.com from signing up for offers. I waited 6 weeks, got the approved status, got my certificates and mailed them in, now supposibly in another 6-8 weeks, I should receive my free gift. We'll see.

[bigsharkbytes]

I found the link to www.internetopiniongroup.com on buy.com when I was researching the purchase of a Treo 650. Coming from a reputable site like buy.com, from whom I've made many, many purchases, I assumed it to be legit.

I began this process in January '05. I completed the 6 offers for a PalmOne Treo 650. Since this is a $600 device, I thought I'd drop a few bucks here and there. The 6 offers I selected was a 6 months subscription to USA Today for $50, a single purchase of a laser printer toner cartridge that I needed anyway for $50, a subscription to Blockbuster Online for $14.99/month (9.99 the first 2 months), which we really enjoy, two different credit cards with no annual fees, so that didn't cost anything, and the last one is a vitamin/weight loss thing call TrimLife, that I'll cancel as soon as possible after getting the phone. So the only real cost to me for the phone is the TrimLife deal which has cost me about $200 to date. The rest of the stuff are valid services, subscriptions, etc. that I'll continue beyond this offer. I'd really like to know the relationship between IOG and TrimLife, because, if there is a scam here, this is where it exists.

HOWEVER, buyer beware! I still do not have my phone! All my offers have been completed approved since March! They've had my redemption forms for over 10 weeks! Every step has been a royal pain. They tell you that it takes 6-8 weeks at most every step, then after that period, there is always an issue like supplier problems, etc., which is what I'm fighting now.

My suggestion, if you want a Treo 650, go buy one and stay away from these guys. I'll create a new post if I ever actually get the phone.

[faded]

I finally recieved my motorola razr! I signed up and started this process march 18th, and I got my phone today. I am amazed, I was skeptical the whole time. I'm going to do this process again with a my wife's name, and parents address and try to get a sony viao.

[jkolton]

I've been working on getting a PSP since Feb 21st. So far, so good, my status has just been changed to shipped. Can anyone who has gotten their stuff from this site give me an estimate on how long it took to get your prize from the time your status changed to shipped? I'm hoping it's not another 6-8 weeks.

Can't wait to get it. All my offers cost a total of 30 bucks. Not bad for a PSP.
Jon

[jkolton]

P.S. I've found that any time something was taking too long with them, a polite e-mail and a day later would see my status changed to the next step. Just FYI to anyone who plans on trying this. :)

[jokach]

I think its interesting how the couple of people here who have gotten their 'gifts' still refer to them as 'free gifts'. Don't you realize that you've basically sold yourself out and PAID at least some of the cost of the item via other promotions/offers provided by the sponsors? I think you are failing to realize that the cost of your personal information being sold to every marketing company in the US is probably doing you more harm than good, and thats another 'cost' you're not considering. Who wants multiple credit cards with high interest rates? (see the below from the website concerning what completion of offers means)


You must activate your credit card by making a purchase, transferring a balance, or making a cash advance


They try to make you think you are getting it for free, when in reality, go ahead and make that credit card purchase and pay them their interest, you're better off buying it on your own... (they're playing on the fact that you WON'T pay off the card immediately which 87% of consumers don't do)

Remember to read their terms and conditions:


What's the catch?
There is no catch! Our advertisers and sponsors cover our costs for your gift, shipping, and handling. To get your free gift, members are required to complete any sponsored offers. Once the steps outlined above are completed, your free gift or check is sent to you free of charge!


The above was posted from the internetopiniongroup.com website.

Remember, nothing in this world comes for free.

jokach

[sdhung]

I have been dealing with this company since 1/17/05. I have been trying to get a Treo 650. It appears they are giving me the run around. IOP has had my confirmed certificates since 4/26/05. They are still giving me run around about how backed up they are. This sounds like a management issue to me or a scam. Everything I received in terms of credit so far has come as a result of me staying on this project like a hawk. This has been a costly project in terms of time & money. It certainly would have been cheaper to buy treo directly. I don't intend for them to get away without feeling a cost for neglecting me & others. I am going to file a complaint with the Federal Trade commssion for fraud (877-382-4357 or www.ftc.gov). I also plan to contact the better business bureau. I am going to look into filing a claim with small claims court in Mountainview, Ca. Perhaps as a group we have a class action case against them. I know the company has a PO box in Mountainview, Ca. Does anyone else out there have any details regarding this issue. If so please contact me. Also all of my correspondence with internetOpinionGroup.com is attached.

From : "IOG Support Tier 1" <support_tier1@internetopiniongroup.com> Save to Address Book

To : <sdhung@netzero.net>

Subject : RE: Gift status / Other

Date : Tue, 21 Jun 2005 10:33:41 -0700
Hello,

Your paperwork has been received by the Gift Center and is still being
processed due to the high volume of orders currently being fulfilled.

Victoria
InternetOpinionGroup.com Customer Support

-----Original Message-----
From: sdhung@netzero.net [mailto:sdhung@netzero.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 7:20 AM
To: IOG Support Tier 1
Subject: Gift status / Other

It has been over 8 weeks since you received my certificates via your
email response & USPS receipt records. You have failed to keep your
word. If nothing is done within 24 hours, I have to condider other
options to regain the time and effort I put into this project.
From : "IOG Support Tier 1" <support_tier1@internetopiniongroup.com> Save to Address Book

To : <sdhung@netzero.net>

Subject : RE: Order process / Other

Date : Wed, 1 Jun 2005 14:50:15 -0700
Hello,

Your paperwork has been received by the Gift Center and is still being
processed due to the high volume of orders currently being fulfilled.
Please allow 6-8 weeks from the time your certificates were received for
processing and delivery.

Victoria
InternetOpinionGroup.com Customer Support

-----Original Message-----
From: sdhung@netzero.net [mailto:sdhung@netzero.net]
Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2005 8:23 AM
To: IOG Support Tier 1
Subject: Order process / Other

I have been in confirm state in excess of 6 weeks. You haven't as of yet
mailed the gift (or card as is stated). A lot of time, money and energy
has been connected to this item. There is nothing else to complete on my
end. I will not let it go. I am becoming quite concerned about fraud. I
am considering acting beyond your system before you disapear.
From : "IOG Support Tier 1" <support_tier1@internetopiniongroup.com> Save to Address Book

To : <sdhung@netzero.net>

Subject : RE: Credit card application status / Other

Date : Tue, 17 May 2005 15:25:59 -0700

Move message to...InboxJunk MailTrash [ Printable Version ]

Due to the high volume of orders currently being fulfilled, please allow
6-8 weeks from the time your certificates are received in the Gift
Center.
Your Gift Status has changed and should show "Confirmed". It will be
updated to Shipped when the gift has actually been shipped to you.

Victoria
InternetOpinionGroup.com Customer Support

-----Original Message-----
From: sdhung@netzero.net [mailto:sdhung@netzero.net]
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 3:32 AM
To: IOG Support Tier 1
Subject: Credit card application status / Other

I want to know why I am still in confirmed status, since you have
recived all of my certificates on 4/26/05.

From : "IOG Support Tier 1" <support_tier1@internetopiniongroup.com> Save to Address Book

To : <sdhung@netzero.net>

Subject : RE: Gift status / Other

Date : Fri, 6 May 2005 10:39:53 -0700

Move message to...InboxJunk MailTrash [ Printable Version ]

Please allow 6-8 weeks from the time the certificates are received in
our Gift Center for processing and delivery.

Victoria
InternetOpinionGroup.com Customer Support

-----Original Message-----
From: sdhung@netzero.net [mailto:sdhung@netzero.net]
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2005 8:57 AM
To: IOG Support Tier 1
Subject: Gift status / Other

I appreciate you upgrading to confirmed for each of the 6 offers. I see
the 6 certificates were received on 4/26/05. 1)How long will it be
before I receive a shipped status on the Gift. 2) are you actually
shipping the gift or are we going to play more games.

From : "IOG Support Tier 1" <support_tier1@internetopiniongroup.com> Save to Address Book

To : <sdhung@netzero.net>

Subject : RE: Did not receive or problem with email/certificate / Other

Date : Mon, 25 Apr 2005 12:24:07 -0700

Move message to...InboxJunk MailTrash [ Printable Version ]

Hello,

Please allow up to 3 weeks for your certificates to be added to our
list. If after the 8 week period you have not received a gift, or your
status is not Shipped, let us know and we'll expedite.

Victoria
InternetOpinionGroup.com Customer Support

-----Original Message-----
From: sdhung@netzero.net [mailto:sdhung@netzero.net]
Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2005 7:03 AM
To: IOG Support Tier 1
Subject: Did not receive or problem with email/certificate / Other

Thanks for responding quickly to the last email regarding the address
verification for the 6 approved items. I entered the address as
instructed for each approval& have mailed the required approval
certificates. We have another problem now. They should all be in
confirmed atatus. Please correct & respond in an expeditious manner.

From : "IOG Support Tier 1" <support_tier1@internetopiniongroup.com> Save to Address Book

To : <sdhung@netzero.net>

Subject : RE: Did not receive or problem with email/certificate / Other

Date : Thu, 21 Apr 2005 14:47:41 -0700

Move message to...InboxJunk MailTrash [ Printable Version ]

Hello,

We've had problems with ISPs blocking our automated emails as spam. You
should have received an approval email 45 days after your original sign
up date directing you to create your certificates. Please use the links
below to create your approval certificates and order your gift.

http://tinyuri.com/spt5

http://tinyuri.com/ycx2

http://tinyuri.com/s1fx

http://tinyuri.com/kj40

http://tinyuri.com/tdp9

http://tinyuri.com/g0ti

Print and mail the certificates to the address listed. Please allow 6-8
weeks from the time the certificates are received in our Gift Center for
processing and delivery. If you do not receive your gift in that time,
please reply back and let us know. Don't worry about any expiration
dates as the redeem by date on the certificate does not apply to the
gift. All required certificates must be sent in at the same time. Gifts
will not be fulfilled unless all certificates are received.

Victoria
InternetOpinionGroup.com Customer Support

-----Original Message-----
From: sdhung@netzero.net [mailto:sdhung@netzero.net]
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2005 7:07 AM
To: IOG Support Tier 1
Subject: Did not receive or problem with email/certificate / Other

I enetered the approved link for each of my 6 offers on 4/19/05 &
4/20/05. The message indicated as the rule states that I would be
notified through the email that I signed up with an address confirmation
link for my mailing address & an application that must be forwarded
within 60 days of approval. 1) Why haven't I received an email after
clicking each 2X in 2 days. 2) What kind of game is this (you obtained
my address & email address when I first signed up/I more than earned
this gift). Are you trying to make people quite, rather than release the
gift. Please respond ASAP, according to what you advertise.



From : "IOG Support Tier 1" <support_tier1@internetopiniongroup.com> Save to Address Book

To : <sdhung@netzero.net>

Subject : RE: Gift status / Other

Date : Thu, 24 Feb 2005 15:24:09 -0800

Move message to...InboxJunk MailTrash [ Printable Version ]

Hello,

After completing offers through our website, please allow 6-8 weeks for
our system to update and recognize the completed offer(s). Once your
offers are approved you can access your redemption certificates by
clicking on the "Approved" link within your gift account. All
required
certificates must be sent in at the same time. Gifts will not be
fulfilled unless all certificates are received.

Victoria
InternetOpinionGroup.com Customer Support

-----Original Message-----
From: sdhung@netzero.net [mailto:sdhung@netzero.net]
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 10:13 AM
To: IOG Support Tier 1
Subject: Gift status / Other

I have joined the offers for Medlife Health care plus & BMG records
offer. I don't see any indication of this (why?). Also I want to be
absolutly certain that I understand qualifications. All I have to do is
endure the trial period of each offer to receive the Treo 650 or any
gift I apply for.


From : "IOG Support Tier 1" <support_tier1@internetopiniongroup.com> Save to Address Book

To : <sdhung@netzero.net>

Subject : RE: Credit card application status / Other

Date : Tue, 15 Feb 2005 15:28:10 -0800

Move message to...InboxJunk MailTrash [ Printable Version ]

Hello,

I'm sorry for any confusion but 6 offers are the requirement. Use this
link to return to the offer pages: http://tinyurl.com/55ke5
You may need to go back through the surveys. To get to the page you
need, scroll to the bottom of the offer page and click on the link to
take you to the next page. Be sure to complete the required number of
offers on each page.

Karla
InternetOpinionGroup.com User Support

-----Original Message-----
From: sdhung@netzero.net [mailto:sdhung@netzero.net]
Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2005 6:02 AM
To: IOG Support Tier 1
Subject: Credit card application status / Other

I received an email stating that I need to use 6 offers instead of 2
offers as specified in my original window application. I wrote &
requested info regarding this situation over a week ago. I have received
no response. I have completed all aspects of my committment for the 2
offers. I am using blockbuster & I have an activated GM credit card. My
status hasn't changed. Can we resolve this information within the
confines of your system.

From : "IOG Support Tier 1" <support_tier1@internetopiniongroup.com> Save to Address Book

To : <sdhung@netzero.net>

Subject : RE: Did not receive or problem with email/certificate / Other

Date : Tue, 1 Feb 2005 10:37:56 -0800

Hello,

We've had problems with ISPs blocking our automated emails as spam. Our
records show that you did not confirm your InternetOpinionGroup.com
account. Please use the link below to confirm your email address and
create your password.

http://tinyurl.com/5jjvb

After completing offers through our website, please allow 6-8 weeks for
our system to update and recognize the completed offer(s). Once your
offers are approved you can access your redemption certificates by
clicking on the "Approved" link within your gift account. All
required
certificates must be sent in at the same time. Gifts will not be
fulfilled unless all certificates are received.

Please be sure that you've completed the required number of offers on
each of the offer pages in order to be eligible for your gift. You need
to complete a total of 6 offers.

Karla
InternetOpinionGroup.com User Support

-----Original Message-----
From: sdhung@netzero.net [mailto:sdhung@netzero.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2005 4:23 PM
To: IOG Support Tier 1
Subject: Did not receive or problem with email/certificate / Other

I did a survey followed all the procedure's, even though there was much
redundancy. I joined 2 of the merchants plans as expressed about being
the last step in the prcedure to get the Treo 650. I got the
confirmation saved as evidence from GM credit card & Block Buster online
rentals. I received no such acknowledgment from your company. I have
copied this message & have taken your expressed address. Unless I hear
from you in 24 hours, I will report this as fraud

[mercinary]

sdhung,

Bravo for stanting up for yourself! This is the type of motivation that will get results! Feel free to try to motivate the other ezlaptop victims to follow your lead.

-Merc

[faded]

I think its interesting how the couple of people here who have gotten their 'gifts' still refer to them as 'free gifts'. Don't you realize that you've basically sold yourself out and PAID at least some of the cost of the item via other promotions/offers provided by the sponsors? I think you are failing to realize that the cost of your personal information being sold to every marketing company in the US is probably doing you more harm than good, and thats another 'cost' you're not considering. Who wants multiple credit cards with high interest rates? (see the below from the website concerning what completion of offers means)



They try to make you think you are getting it for free, when in reality, go ahead and make that credit card purchase and pay them their interest, you're better off buying it on your own... (they're playing on the fact that you WON'T pay off the card immediately which 87% of consumers don't do)

Remember to read their terms and conditions:



The above was posted from the internetopiniongroup.com website.

Remember, nothing in this world comes for free.

jokach


I knew I would get spam, thats why I created a temp email account just for that reason. As far as the credit card deals, I would just buy something for .50 cents then pay it off and cancel the card. But I stayed away from those offers, cause I didnt want them touching my credit. I signed up for the USA today which I still enjoy reading at work everyday and Blockbuster online movie rentals, cause I rent movies all the time anyways. The rest were free trial offers which I cancelled before the trial period ended. The money I spent on the offers to get my Razr is about 1/4 of the cost of the phone itself, and the money I did spend I got something out of. So I'm just saying I'm satisified and I dont feel ripped off. I tell my friends about how I got my phone for free, but I also tell them that I dont guarantee it will work for them. I consider myself lucky. Specially with the way "sdhung" is being treated. They're "backed up."

[bigsharkbytes]

Wanted to let you guys know that I did finally get my Treo 650 on Aug 12, 2005 after starting the process on Jan 24, 2005. It took numerous emails and something just short of threatening the well-being of their customer support department, but I finally got it. However, they sent me a Cingular phone that is not compatible with Sprint PCS. I did not get the option to choose GSM or CDMA. My advice... if you want a phone, go buy it. 7 months is ridiculous.