by Ruth Floresca

Created on: January 08, 2011

I received my first check from Global Test Market last December 2010. Finally, after more than three years of being a member there, I reached enough points to cash out!

When I signed up at this international online survey site back in August 2007, there were very few surveys available for residents of my country, the Philippines. I looked in the archives in my email account’s inbox and saw that I have received only four invites to answer surveys from August to December 2007.

In 2008, GTM sent me eight invites. The amount of surveys available only started to peak by 2009. Perhaps more companies in my country, and those based abroad, have become more interested in what Filipinos have to say. I just kept on answering surveys as they come whenever I have enough time to do so. Sometimes, I earn only 5 points for not meeting all the qualifications. Other times, I receive 35 or more points for completing a survey.

Those unfamiliar with the website should note though that some surveys can be lengthy and could take as long as 15-30 minutes to complete. Some have questions that can be confusing and seem to keep repeating over and over. Some, on the other hand, are a breeze to answer. I think the complexity of questions and the format of how they are presented depend on the company needing the survey results.

To get paid, every member has to reach 1000 points to request the equivalent payment of $50. I reached the mandatory points back in mid-October and immediately made a payment request. I thought I can at last know for myself if GTM is a paying site or not. I kept my fingers crossed because I wasn’t sure if I would really receive anything. The website’s FAQs say that payment will be converted to local currency and will arrive within six to eight weeks.

I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised that the check did come! It was mailed from Canada. The amount was already in Philippine pesos and the conversion rate was lower than what I was expecting. Still, fifty dollars is fifty dollars. You won’t find that lying around just anywhere. I have already deposited the check in my savings account and it cleared within three days' time.

Now, three months after my last payment request, I already have more than 200 points in my account. That is remarkable considering I reached that same amount before after two years! And so I will keep answering surveys as they come during my idle computer moments and hope to reach my second payout sooner this time around.

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