FocusGroup: Is it Worth Taking Surveys for Cash?

What is FocusGroup.com?

FocusGroup.com pays consumers to take surveys, participate in focus groups and in clinical trials.

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FocusGroup.com Review:

But, where focus groups normally pay generously, this site doesn’t have that many good-paying groups. Instead, you end up taking surveys for a modest amount of money. And you give up a lot of privacy by telling the screeners everything from your age and income to your personal preferences.

The site does promise to provide an opt-out option before releasing your identity to clients, however.

Pay

Payments are made through points that are worth a penny a piece and later can be turned into pre-paid gift cards. You won’t make a living taking surveys, since each is likely to pay between $1 and $10 worth of points.

The in-person focus groups can pay a decent daily wage — $50 to $250. And clinical trials can pay generously too. The amount and nature of the payment is disclosed prior to taking the survey or participating in the focus group.

Recent problems

However, when we were updating our review of FocusGroup.com, we found a raft of recent complaints about not being paid promised amounts. The site says it is updating its payment options in an effort to make incentive payments more readily available to consumers. So, it’s possible that this is a temporary glitch. But we also did not see the company responding to the copious complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.

We see that as a red flag. Participate here at your own risk.

Our below average rating of FocusGroup.com is the result of the low pay for surveys, and the many recent complaints about not getting paid at all for the better-paying and more time-consuming focus group gigs.

Another caution

If you are contemplating participating in a clinical trial, please be sure to read all of the disclosures carefully. Admittedly the pay — and the promise of a cure to whatever ails you — can be compelling. But this is also where drug companies discover the sometimes life-threatening side-effects of their medications. Don’t put your life on the line unless the disease your are suffering from is equally threatening.

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Recommendations

Other survey/focus group opportunities on SideHusl are likely to be better. Consider: FindFocusGroups; Shifrin-Hayworth and  SignUp Direct.

What their users say (from the Better Business Bureau):

Massive waste of time filling out surveys with no result most of time. This is because they do not screen you or tell you what the defining issue is ahead of time. Also they are likely getting fewer jobs that need participants so the odds go down (for any of the remaining studies) for them to pick you up as participant. Too bad there is no zero star to give. Deal with them if your time is not worth much.

I completed a focus group on Nov 1st.  and was promised payment within 4-6 weeks. I have not only NOT received payment, no one responds to phone calls, emails or website chats. Steer clear of this company!

All promises, no pay

I did a diaper study which ended 12/16/22 and was promised my payment of $240 before Christmas. Ever since the study ended I cannot find any of the emails from the company and have not heard one thing about it, despite reaching out multiple times.

Went down hill. I’ve done studies with them at their facilities in the past and have always received my payment after the study was completed. I completed an in home study for a facial product in July and have not yet received my payment incentive.

I spent 5 hours on a Focus group with them and was supposed to be compensated in the $430.00 . To get you to participate, they are extremely helpful and responsible. Now when you want your pay, no one knows nothing. No answers to phone calls or emails. Ghost town here. Please pay me what I earned.

I did three studies on non alcoholic beer for this company which they said would pay me around $40 each. They owe me $120 and never paid me. It’s been months. This company is a fraud.

12/5/2023