Royal Mail Surveys rewarded with Stamps.

anamenottaken

Zeusiblue wrote: »

I recieved a call today to inform me i had passed the training and am now on the panel. He also said i would have to record items recieve
d in the post like magazines and brochures etc. Is there a guide to sort the mail we are sent to record from usual mail ?

Hi, Zeusiblue. Welcome to the panel. The receipt of brochures and magazines is covered on the site in the training section I believe. You will find a note about what you may be due to receive via the "Check if a received item is a 'test item'" button to the right of the daily tasks screen.

I must say that TNS do really seem to be getting worse at providing information to panellists. Are they beginning to rely on this site to help them out? Aphone call like the one described by Zeusiblue should give people the opportunity to ask questions but they probably think of them after the phone call. If TNS spent less time phoning, they might have more time to answer emails and send the information required. [Mini rant over.]

SpecialBrew_2

LEJC wrote: »

I saw that and it came through on a couple of other money saving emails that I get from various sites too...


The problem is that it makes it seem to people that you just answer a few surveys and get rewarded with stamps...up to a point I'm not totally sure that even the title of this thread or indeed the first post truly reflect what the panelists have to do to get the stamps!!!!

I've been thinking this for a while too. The thread is totally in the wrong place in my view. 'Freebies (no spend required)' might be technically accurate, but in reality you're expected to spend a fair bit of time and effort for your stamps, and it impacts on your schedule in ways that just filling out an online survey wouldn't. It's not just the way the scheme is mentioned on money saving sites that does not give the full picture though - even when signing up to become a panel member the full extent of the commitment required is not made clear and you only find this out once accepted.

The winds are forecast to rise considerably as the day goes on and I can hear that they're already quite forceful and it's slinging it down outside. Given the choice, I'd be posting today's item at the nearest postbox now and not twiddling my thumbs and waiting until the required time of after 1.00pm, when the already foul weather has worsened and I've got to walk to the Post Office because that's what the schedule demands today.

That this kind of thing would be likely was only ever revealed to me when I received an envelope full of posting items with a note to say I'd been accepted - until that point I had no reason to believe that what I'd signed up for wasn't just another online survey company with a slightly less flexible mode of payment.

Knowing that such things were expected of me might have made me think twice, but what's really putting me off are tales of being carded by the postman and having to pay transport costs out of your own pocket to go all the way over to a main Post Office to pick up a parcel only to find that it's a survey item and you've forked out to collect a package full of cardboard and paper.

I'm already wondering if this is more trouble than it's worth and there's a simple way of backing out of it all.

libra10

The winds are forecast to rise considerably as the day goes on and I can hear that they're already quite forceful and it's slinging it down outside. Given the choice, I'd be posting today's item at the nearest postbox now and not twiddling my thumbs and waiting until the required time of after 1.00pm, when the already foul weather has worsened and I've got to walk to the Post Office because that's what the schedule demands today.

If I can't make the specific time scheduled to post an item, I post the same day but state the time actually posted.

Have never had to collect a parcel from the post office, and if you phone them they will deliver the next day.

But, I agree, there is more paperwork involved than one would probably expect, it is a commitment throughout the week.

NBLondon

libra10 wrote: »

Have never had to collect a parcel from the post office, and if you phone them they will deliver the next day.

Which only works if you know you're in the next day...

I signed up for this when I wasn't working, so it wasn't an issue but by the time they responded I was. Not a problem with posting, since I can do that on the way to work or nip out at lunch but I have this week been to collect a Cube (formerly a Small Box) and I'm hoping I don't get more. Or one with insufficient postage as some people have reported.

I have to agree with SpecialBrew that it's more work than it first appears. Is it worth the stamps? Well, I'd rather have another 6 firsts than 4 large firsts...

maiden_scotland

I've now had a reply to my e-mail stating I wish to be removed

Thank you for your email. As you request, we will take you off the survey immediately.

As we print four weeks in advance, you will keep receiving packs and items for the next four weeks.



We would greatly appreciate it if you could continue to post, receive and enter items for four weeks. If this is not possible, please dispose of the paperwork and keep any stationery for your personal use.



Please return any SMARTs you may receive in the SMART Return Envelopes provided – up to 8 SMARTs can be sent in a single SMART Return Envelope. If you need any SMART return envelopes, please order some from our site by clicking on the "Request Stationery" tab on the top toolbar.

lisawalker12321

good_advice wrote: »

i have just got IN on the second time of applying over several months.
Possibly you have to wait for an opening in your post code area?

hiya, sorry for the late reply been very ill since sunday. It said that I had been accepted when I submitted it, I know they have openings in my area at the moment as my friend who sent me the link had been sent a email asking if she knew people who wanted to join as they have openings in our area.

Zeusiblue

Recieved my first presentation stamps this morning and i love them. Included ivor the engine and Dougle from The Magi Rounabout !! Yes i know, i am sad

Saetana

For those worried about the weather - it is NOT necessary to stick to the time given on the schedule (after 1pm etc) so long as you post it on the correct day of the week (if you can't post at all that day then just hold the item until the same day the following week). I checked this with TNS during my first stint on the survey and they confirmed that the time is not all that important so long as the item is posted before the final collection for that box. Post Office/Post Box isn't important either (except for parcels obviously), I don't have a post office near me so almost always post in boxes. Always ensure you enter the correct details of when and where you post (don't enter the scheduled time/date if you have posted at a different time/date), make sure if the item should be posted on Tuesday that it IS posted on a Tuesday (before last collection time) and there should be no problems

postie9

postie9 wrote: »

Having been on the survey for quite a few years I get more confused with what is going on over recent months. It used to be straight forward with the mail I received and posted, plus getting correct information from them first time.
My latest query is a new one though. Completed my last 6 month period two weeks ago and received the books of stamps plus presentation set together with the usual letter saying I may be invited back in 6 months if there is a vacancy in this area. Today, after 2 weeks of not posting or receiving any survey mail I see online that I am scheduled to post 3 items w/c 17th February. Have tried telephoning them at least a dozen times today but get the recorded message to email the query. Oh well, will try again tomorrow to try to see if I am rested or not.

Just managed to get someone to answer the telephone yesterday to ask why I had letters to post next week when I was told I started my 6 month rest 2 weeks ago.
It seems that I am back on the panel without being notified. First packet containing 3 letters to post arrived today, no smarts or letter saying I was back on the panel.

MsBlonde

Got a reply from them earlier in regards of having to pay £3.20 in fee's for insufficent funds, apparently they're sending me stamps to that value. >.> just what i wanted