SURVEYSCOUT.COM CAN NOT GET IN CONTACT WITH THEM TO ASK FOR A REFUND Internet

I seriously thought about using this company considering the fact I am a freelance writer, novelist, beta tester, and product reviewer; however, I am thankful I stopped here first before laying my $$ down.

I went back based on the former rebuttal info to check the BBB.org website for Dublin, Ohio for this company. Geez! This company has a BBB rap sheet a mile long and that is just the ones the BBB scored in Ohio. The company has drop boxes through UPS mail in two places in Ohio and another (known address at a mailbox place such as UPS) in Texas.

Here is a link to the Ohio infractions, many are unresolved and it appears it is most likely due to lack of providing informaiton from the owners. I have yet to figure out why the state's Attorney General is not involved as of yet since this is a fraudulent company as anyone can see after reading the BBB website regarding the infractions.

Here is the link and some of the company's infractions with the BBB in addition to the BBB's take on the company:

http://www.columbus-ohbbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=70001479



BBB Reliability Report
The Better Business Bureau
Serving Central Ohio
1335 Dublin Rd. Suite 30A
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 486-6336 / (800) 759-2400
www.centralohiobbb.org

Survey Scout
636 W Washington St
Dept. Ss-house
Geneva, NY 14456-2120
Telephone: (614) 455-0526
www.surveyscout.com

The BBB reports on members and non-members. If a company is a member of the BBB, it is stated in this report.

Principal:
Mr Scott Boyce, Customer Service Manager
Customer Contact:
Mr Scott Boyce, Customer Service Manager - (937) 303-0005
File Open Date:
April 2004
TOB Classification:
Work-At-Home Companies, Internet Services, Publishers-Directory & Guide
BBB Membership:
This company is not a member.

Additional DBA Names
SurveyScout.com
Edgestone Group, Inc
Hedgestone Group

Nature Of Business

For $34.95 consumers are given access to a list of firm's which may be offering survey opportunities. Concerning earnings claimed on their website, Survey Scout has said "note that earning money from surveys is not under our control and depends on many factors, such as the number of companies a person signs up for, their demographics, the number and types of surveys currently being offered by market research companies, etc. See http://www.surveyscout.com/disclaimer.cgi for further information."

Customer Experience

Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to failure to respond to one or more complaints and or two or more otherwise unresolved complaints. However the business has resolved most complaints presented to the bureau.

When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

The Bureau processed a total of 82 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total of 82 complaints closed in 36 months, 17 were closed in the last year.
Advertising Issues
Resolved
2 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
2 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
No Response
1 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

Billing or Collection Issues
Resolved
1 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
No Response
1 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

Sales Practice Issues
Resolved
1 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
4 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
No Response
1 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

Delivery Issues
No Response
1 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

Service Issues
No Response
2 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

Customer Service Issues
Resolved
2 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
No Response
3 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

Guarantee or Warranty Issues
Resolved
2 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
4 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.

Product Issues
Resolved
1 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.

Refund or Exchange Issues
Resolved
15 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
25 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
1 - Company offered a partial (less than 100%) settlement which the consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Unresolved
2 - Company failed to resolve the complaint issues through the BBB voluntary and self-regulatory process.
Administratively Closed
9 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.
No Response
1 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.
Unpursuable
1 - Company cannot be located.


Company Management

Additional company management personnel include:

Mr Matt Thompson - Admin Asst
Ms Vicki Watson - Customer Service
Mr Richard Saulsbury - Secretary
Mr Steve Little - President


Advertising Review

In October of 2004, the Bureau asked the firm to substantiate its' claim that "companies are willing to pay people ...up to $150 an hour!" the firm has not responded.

The following is a list of questions we asked the company and their responses from April of 2004.

1. Is this an offer of employment? "Survey Scout does not offer employment-Survey Scout sells an informational product that teaches people how to get paid for participating in market research surveys and focus groups".

2. Who will be paying for the work? "There is no offer of employment or "work" as related to a job. We show people how to get paid for their opinions by participating in online surveys, focus groups, etc. The market research company conducting a particular survey or focus group is the one that rewards the participant via cash, prizes, free products".

3. How often will the applicant be paid? "Each market research company has their own policies and procedures. The average time is anywhere from one day to two months. The participant is provided details about an opportunity before deciding whether to participate."

4. How will the applicant be paid? "Participants are paid online via "PayPal" or company check sent by the market research company".

5. What tasks will the applicant be required to do to earn money? "In the case of an online survey, the participant visits a website and answers questions via a web-based survey. In the case of an "offline" group, participants visit a focus group facility."

6. What materials and support services will the applicant get for sending in a fee? "Survey Scout provides a regularly updated database of over 400 companies that the participant can apply to in order to take surveys".

7. Will the applicant be responsible for finding a market for his/her services? "Survey Scout provides access to over 400 market research and survey companies".

8. What is the success rate for applicants that purchase your program? "Success depends primarily on how much time and effort a participant puts forth".

9. Is the state of Ohio excluded from your offer? If so, why? "Ohio residents are not excluded from the offer".

10. What is the company's refund policy? "Survey Scout offers a 90-day "no-questions-asked" money back refund".

Additional File Information

The firm's mailing addresses 15741 US 36 E, Marysville OH 43040 and 6724 Permieter Lopp Rd, Dublin Ohio 43017 are mail drop boxes within U.P.S. Store locations.

According to the firm's website, Survey Scout's parent company is Edgestone Group, Inc. which according to the Texas Secretary of State is located at PO Box 271536, Flower Mound, Texas, 75027.

Our Bureau has requested basic background information from this company, but to date the Bureau has not received a complete response. Without this information, the Bureau may not have current information concerning such things as the company's start date, management or its nature of business.

Additional Addresses, Telephone Numbers, and Fax Numbers
Additional Addresses
15741 US Highway 36 PMB 305 Dept: Ss-House
Not Deliverable as Addressed Unable to Forward 2.23.07
Marysville, OH 43040-9484
Tel: (937) 303-0005

6724 Perimeter Loop Rd Dept SS-10RI PMB 326 28
Dublin, OH 43017-3202

Additional Phone Numbers
Tel: (208) 939-4057
Tel: (817) 490-9032

Additional Fax Numbers
Fax: (937) 303-0005
Fax: (309) 408-4471


Industry Tips

Work At Home Schemes - BBB Central Ohio General St

General Information from the Better Business Bureau serving Central Ohio concerning Work At Home Schemes:

Every day, ads for work-at-home jobs appear in newspapers across the country as well as in national magazines and on theInternet. Some of the offers include stuffing envelopes,assembling products, reading books, reviewing movies, medical billing, or selling advertising on the Internet.

The Better Business Bureau suggests using extreme caution when responding to any such offer. While ads claim high earnings and
short hours with little or no experience, Bureau files nationwide indicate no evidence of anyone making the promised money. Rarely, if ever, are these ads offers of legitimate employment. Generally, these "jobs" require up-front fees for
information or supplies, and only the person who ran the ad makes any money.

You should be aware that the United States Postal Inspectors regularly investigate these fraudulent schemes. You risk investigation and possible prosecution by postal or other law
enforcement agencies, if you become involved in one of these schemes.

Choosing the Right Internet Service Provider
Protecting Your Financial Privacy in Cyberspace
Work-At-Home-Schemes Now Peddled On-Line
Choosing a Web Hosting Service for your Business Web Site "Special BBB Investigation Confirms: Work-at-Home Dealts are ""Too Good to be True"""
Work-at-Home Schemes Better Business Bureau Warns Consumers of Three Work-at-Home Companies Based in State of Oregon

Report as of April 8, 2007

I bet if you check the Texas BBB.org it will show as many if not more infractions and theft.

Just wanted to back up the claims this company is a FRAUD!

I haven't personally dealt with the internet company Survey Scout, but I too came across their name on another site and was told that they were legit. On their site I was able to access a form that I could print out, and on that form they give an address where I would send the form along with my $34.95. The address is: EdgeStone Group, Inc. Dept: ss-rowise 1 6724 Perimeter Loop Rd PMB 326 Dublin, OH 43017-3202 And, on top of that, I thought it was a little curious that they would also have me make my check or money order payable to EdgeStone Group, Inc. Well, Jerry, I hope that might help you in some way!!

I haven't personally dealt with the internet company Survey Scout, but I too came across their name on another site and was told that they were legit. On their site I was able to access a form that I could print out, and on that form they give an address where I would send the form along with my $34.95. The address is: EdgeStone Group, Inc. Dept: ss-rowise 1 6724 Perimeter Loop Rd PMB 326 Dublin, OH 43017-3202 And, on top of that, I thought it was a little curious that they would also have me make my check or money order payable to EdgeStone Group, Inc. Well, Jerry, I hope that might help you in some way!!

I haven't personally dealt with the internet company Survey Scout, but I too came across their name on another site and was told that they were legit. On their site I was able to access a form that I could print out, and on that form they give an address where I would send the form along with my $34.95. The address is: EdgeStone Group, Inc. Dept: ss-rowise 1 6724 Perimeter Loop Rd PMB 326 Dublin, OH 43017-3202 And, on top of that, I thought it was a little curious that they would also have me make my check or money order payable to EdgeStone Group, Inc. Well, Jerry, I hope that might help you in some way!!