Internet Opinion Group SCAM ripoff- I had to subscribe or buy merchandise from 6 comapnies in order to get a free Palm Treo 650. Never received Palm Treo. Delray Beach Florida

Internet Opinion Group, Internetopiniongroup.com

Address:
303 Bryant St 3rd Flr
Mountain View California 94041-1253
U.S.A.
Phone Number:
512-652-9015

Dear P.,

Internet Opinion Group is not a SCAM. On Jan 22, 2005, I clicked on a link from a "Weatherbug" advertiser. It explained I could receive a FREE Razr V3 Cell phone. Once I was directed to the Internet Opinion Groups website, I realized, FREE, meant I was going to have to subscribe and purchase products from companies that sponser I.O.G. At this point, it was my "CHOICE" to either continue, or exit the site.

However, the purpose of purchasing products for a TRIAL period, and obtaining consumer information regarding what products are more attractive for purchase over the internet, actually seemed quite logical. This is a marketing/sales, "Opinion" group, and one should realize that in order to give an "opinion" of which products/services appeal to you, you might just have to try out a product or two...In my case, for the Motorola Razr V3 phone, it really meant trying out "5" products.

I spent 2 hours subscribing to the online offers. I chose to purchase from companies that were large, national and popular. Some of the products/services I subscribed to were useful, others I cancelled within the terms as indicated within the offer.

As skepitcal as the offer may have seemed, I monitored the process on a weekly basis. When, "APPROVED" appeared in "My Gift Status", I cliked on the link and received an email from I.O.G. with my "Vouchers" within minutes.

Depending on your ISP, SPAM controls, Firewall, etc., some email may not always be delivered. Always check your spam controls or "JUNK" mail storage. Often, you will find the response from the various internal departments cannot reach you, even though you've added the actual company to your address book. The response could be stored as SPAM or deleted entirely, depending on your settings.

Nevertheless, I continued to moitor the site and with "PATIENCE", the "SHIPPED" notification finally appreared. I recieved my Motorola Razr V3 cell phone on May 24, 2005. The process of verifing and confirming the online offers, obviously takes some time.

I.O.G.'s web site explains the time frames very clearly:

What does Gift Status and Offer Status mean?

Pending - If your Offer Status shows "Pending," it means that they are awaiting a response from thier offer partners (i.e. the credit card companies). This also applies when your "Gift Status" shows pending too.

In Progress - A response has been received from the offer partner. They are now awaiting an approval notice from them.
**Please allow "6-8 weeks for an "In Progress" offer to be reported as "Approved".

**Note: This is the first of two specific time frames the company lists. (6-8 weeks)

Approved - This means your free gift card is ready to be ordered! You can click on the "Approved" link and have an Approval Email sent to you!

Confirmed - When you have entered your email address and generated a Free Gift Card Certificate, your Gift Status is flagged as **"Confirmed."

**This happened almost immediately after I printed the Voucher(s).

Finally,

Shipped - The gift card has been ordered and is on its way!** Please allow 6-8 weeks to receive your gift card.

**Note: This is the second of two specific time frames the company lists.
(So far, this would add up to approx. 4 months)

Regarding your claim the the "Gift Status" now shows "EXPIRED" I cannot attest to. On my account with I.O.G., my "Gift Status", to this day, still shows "SHIPPED".

In closing, I did in fact, receive my trial offers and for approximately $35.00 or so, I am now using a $500+ cell phone. I've now entered to receive another "Free" gift and do expect similiar results.

If you're not willing READ the fine print, so to speak, (even though the "PRINT" is not so fine, but clearly stated),then don't complain, nothing in life is absolutely FREE. The opinions obtained by the purchase and use of the sponser's products are what funds the "FREE" merchandise.

Again, whether or not you find the "Offer" products useful or not, remains your choice. It's in writing from the beginning, that 5-6 offers must be completed to be eligible.

Marketing programs work when properly administered by the marketing company or it's online customers.

Sincerely,
Charles - Houston, Texas