Mugged by Ciao

jennyone1

:mad:Hi,
I was wondering if anyone else here is a member of Ciao surveys? Don't know if you are aware of this but they've now been merged/bought over by Toluna.

I had money in my Ciao account and feel that I have been cheated out of it because the deadline to claim your cash was July 21st and surprise, surprise, the money only turned up today from the surveys I had done (many months previously) on July 24th making it too late to claim it. Ciao operated a minimum limit before you could cash out, so I have lost all of the money.

Does anyone think its fair that a company can cheat its loyal panellists out of cash as Ciao have done to me and no doubt many others? Ciao claim the money will be converted into points on the Toluna site, but they don't tell you 1- the conversion rate and 2. what happens if you were a member of Toluna and Ciao?

I look forward to reading people's thoughts. In the meantime I am contacting the Market Research Society, who ensure MR sites like Ciao and Toluna abide by a code of conduct not just in the UK, but throughout Europe.

cally6008

I'm a member of Ciao and never received any such email.

The takeover actually happened back in back in July 2009

FMC123

Is this the email you mean? I agree that the terms and conditions it links to are vague, and your specific questions don't seem to be answered. But I wouldn't go so far as to say you've been cheated out of your money. While it seems that PayPal won't be an option in future, you'll still be able to redeem your rewards as vouchers - only when we find out the conversion rate will we know whether we've actually lost anything.

If you want answers to your specific queries, it might be worth contacting them at:

[EMAIL="TolunaRewards_EN@toluna.com"]TolunaRewards_EN@toluna.com[/EMAIL]

The launch of our new rewards program is right around the corner! If you missed our last two emails, we will be fully launching our new rewards program on July 27th. Our new program will put you in control of your rewards; providing exciting new opportunities to earn and to share your valuable insight with the world!

When the new program launches, any remaining cash balance in your account will be automatically converted to our new points program (governed under our new Terms & Conditions). However, you still have time to request any available earnings in your account before midnight EST on July 21st.

We are excited about your becoming part of the Toluna family, and have worked hard to build a new rewards program that will give you the power and flexibility to choose the rewards that are best for you. Use your points for the things you really want – be it vouchers, charitable donations or exciting prizes!

Once again, if you choose to hold onto your current earnings, your existing balance will automatically be converted into points. And remember, those rewards are just the first of many upgrades we will be introducing before the end of August, we will be closing the Ciao Surveys site, and you will officially become a Toluna member! In the meantime, you can continue to earn points, participate in surveys, and communicate with the community directly through your Ciao Surveys account. We will be sending out updates as we get closer to this final step in the transition, so be sure to check back often for new ways to interact with the Toluna community. Find out what people just like you are thinking and let your unique voice be heard!

As always, we are committed to providing you with the best possible service and support. If you have any questions regarding the changes to the rewards program, do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

The Toluna Team

geordie_joe

FMC123 wrote: »

But I wouldn't go so far as to say you've been cheated out of your money. While it seems that PayPal won't be an option in future, you'll still be able to redeem your rewards as vouchers - only when we find out the conversion rate will we know whether we've actually lost anything.

I would say the OP was cheated out of their money. Their post has nothing to do with paypal or the conversion rate.

It has to do with the fact that the last day for requesting a payment was 21 July and the money from surveys didn't turn up until 24 July. When it was too late to request a payment, so they have lost the money.

FMC123

geordie_joe wrote: »

Their post has nothing to do with paypal or the conversion rate.

Well, the OP specifically mentions the conversion rate in her third paragraph, so she is obviously concerned about it - as she has every right to be given the position she is now in.

I agree that money turning up long after the surveys have been completed is very convenient from Ciao/Toluna's point of view and inevitably raises suspicions as to their motives - but Ciao are hardly the quickest payers at the best of times, so I don't think you can necessarily assume that they have deliberately held back her money until it's too late to claim it. There have certainly been occasions in the past where I have waited several months before pending payments have become eligible to be claimed.

The conversion rate is relevant now, because she at least wants to make sure she gets back from Toluna what she earned from Ciao.

geordie_joe

FMC123 wrote: »

Well, the OP specifically mentions the conversion rate in her third paragraph, so she is obviously concerned about it - as she has every right to be given the position she is now in.

Yes, but as you pointed out, she doesn't know the conversion rate, therefore does not know if she has been cheated.

FMC123 wrote: »

I agree that money turning up long after the surveys have been completed is very convenient from Ciao/Toluna's point of view and inevitably raises suspicions as to their motives - but Ciao are hardly the quickest payers at the best of times, so I don't think you can necessarily assume that they have deliberately held back her money until it's too late to claim it.

No, but setting a deadline was deliberate. They know how long it takes them to pay, so why not set a date that reflects this.

FMC123

Joe, I don't disagree with you. I know she doesn't know the rate. That's why I said I "wouldn't go so far as to say" that she's lost out - she might indeed have lost out, but she hasn't necessarily done so.

As for setting a deadline, there has to be a cut off point somewhere and some people were bound to be left having completed surveys that didn't pay out until after the deadline had passed. One problem is that Ciao hosts surveys for other companies as well as those it administers itself, so while it might know when it will pay out on its own surveys, it may well have to wait for payment from other companies before it can pass on that money. And as we know from the recent fiascoes at various cashback sites, they don't necessarily have much control of this and can often end up waiting for ages.

DizzyDezz

I forgot all about this. Don't know how much money I've got stuck there. Don't really think there worth it these days with there 40 minute 10p surveys :mad:
I've started doing the same surveys on Topcashback where there on as a daily click - you get 70p and dont have tp reach some cashout level before you get paid.

fords_2

I used to make a fair amount on Ciao when it first started, but last year I left because they started mucking me around with payments and deadlines too. A shame, because I really enjoyed writing on that website.

rogue_elements

£1 ciao account = 5000 toluna points which is about the rate theyre worth anyway
if you have accounts on both with the same email address they are (will be and currently are) being marged.

yeah its a shame you cant withdraw the money any more but you can get decent vouchers etc

rogue_elements

DizzyDezz wrote: »

I forgot all about this. Don't know how much money I've got stuck there. Don't really think there worth it these days with there 40 minute 10p surveys :mad:
I've started doing the same surveys on Topcashback where there on as a daily click - you get 70p and dont have tp reach some cashout level before you get paid.

ues but tthose "40 minute" surveys actually only take a few minutes at most

and if you get a low payout one come up, just skip it, start it then click back and do the next one that comes up

if u got a few accounts u should always have enough decent payout ones to be able to make around £50-£100 per day. just make sure u stick a few email addresses on your paypal account