Pinecone Research Reviews and Features

Pinecone Research website screenshot

Pinecone Research

85 Broad Street, New York, New York  10004 US
Tel: 800.864.1224   Contact: https://members.pineconeresearch.com/#/ContactUs
Operated by: The Nielsen Company, LLC

KEY FEATURES:

payment icon
PAYMENTS OFFERED

checkmarkCash paid via bank transfer checkmarkAmazon gift cards checkmarkWalmart gift cards checkmarkStarbucks gift cards checkmarkHome Depot gift cards checkmarkApple gift cards checkmarkMovie vouchers checkmarkMerchandise checkmarkRetail e-vouchers checkmarkPrepaid debit or credit cards

study types icon
HOW TO PARTICIPATE

checkmarkOnline surveys checkmarkProduct testing checkmarkSurveys for Hispanics checkmarkMobile app

payment info icon
REDEEMING REWARDS

Typically, rewards are delivered within a few business days or sometimes even immediately after completing a survey. Your first 100 points will equate to $1, which will be sent to your home address.

Pinecone Research is a trusted leader in the survey panel industry. They are owned and operated by the market research company Nielsen, whose operations are headquartered in New York.

Pinecone Research focuses on improving the quality of tomorrow’s products through collecting research via paid surveys and product testing opportunities offered to consumers.

How Pinecone Research Works

pinecone research website

Pinecone Research Sign Up

Pinecone Research is an invitation-only survey panel, where members can earn rewards for participating in online surveys and product tests. Potential new members must be invited by other members to join, or they must find a join link posted on a website. SurveyPolice currently offers Pinecone Research signup links for Americans, Canadians, and people living in the UK: » Join Pinecone Research here.

To learn more about how to sign up for Pinecone Research, including tips on joining and why there are membership restrictions in place to begin with, check out our article on how to find an invitation to join Pinecone Research, as it should help answer any questions you may have about the process.

Payment and Rewards

pinecone research rewards

Reward Types and Amounts

For each survey successfully completed, Pinecone Research awards its members a minimum of 100 points, which equals $1.00 in your local currency. For example, Americans will earn $1.00 USD per survey, Canadians typically earn $1.00 CAD per survey, while Britons earn £1 per survey completion. There are a variety of rewards options that accumulated points can be exchanged for. These include:

  • Bank Transfer - Pinecone offers cash payments issued via bank transfer. When selecting this option, you will be asked to create a 'wallet' on a third-party payment processor website. Once set up, you can request a cash payment deposited directly into your bank account. Payments are issued in $10, $5, and $3 increments (which can be in different quantities; ex. 4 x $3 = $12). Bank transfers are typically issued within 48 hours of request, but can take up to 3-5 business days.
  • Amazon e-Cards - You can choose to receive an Amazon gift card with your collected points. The e-card will be sent directly to your email account.
  • Other Gift Cards - Pinecone Research offers a variety of gift card options including Starbucks, Apple Store, Walmart gift cards, as well as many others. Gift cards may be digital or in physical format and are listed under these categories.
  • Merchandise - Pinecone Research offers an extensive merchandise catalog consisting of various small electronics, household items and more. Merchandise rewards will be mailed directly to your home.
  • Prepaid Virtual Visas – prepaid Visa cards are available for redemption, however, they may only available to US residents.
Points Value: 100 Pinecone Research points = $1.00.

Redeeming Rewards

To redeem your rewards, simply visit the Pinecone Research website and log in to your account. From there, click the "Redeem" button to access the reward site. Under the SHOP tab next to HOME tab, select the reward items you wish to redeem and once you click on an item you are interested in, click the shopping cart icon to add the item to your cart. Click the shopping cart icon on the right side of the page to complete your order.

Note that PayPal is no longer offered as a rewards option and was replaced by bank transfers.

Earn your First Check/Bank Transfer Automatically

Once you complete your first survey, which is always worth a minimum of 100 points, Pinecone Research will automatically send you a check for $1.00 to the mailing address on your profile, or will ask you to cash out via bank transfer. This is a security measure to establish your profile and account. After your first check/bank transfer (or 30 days of being an active Pinecone member, whichever comes first), you will have the option to choose the form in which you would like to receive your future rewards.

Visit Pinecone Research's website 

Survey Taking Experience

Survey Types

Interesting online surveys are e-mailed to members, and are on a variety of different topics. As a Pinecone Research member, you are part of an elite group that represents consumers and households like yours nationwide. Your opinion is important to manufacturers who count on people like you to help predict which products will be developed and which may not be suited for launch. Paid surveys opportunities usually take about 15 to 20 minutes of your time to complete and you will be notified by e-mail when one becomes available.

Product Testing Opportunities

Occasionally, Pinecone may mail out products for their members to test from home. These may be physical products, or food items that may come delivered in a cooler. A follow-up survey is usually provided as part of the product test. These opportunities are highly sought after, as you may receive free food (or a product that you might be able to keep), as well as a paid follow up survey!

Visit Pinecone Research's website 

Community Features

pinecone research app

Pinecone Research App

If you prefer to take surveys on the go, you can download the Pinecone Research app onto your iOS or Android mobile device. The app will allow you to view available surveys, take online surveys, view and redeem your points, view your account history and more. Just remember to first join the Pinecone Research panel itself before attempting to take surveys through the app!

Quick Customer Service

If you have a question on anything Pinecone Research-related, do not hesitate to send in an inquiry through the website. The response time is usually 1-3 business days, or even quicker depending on the workload of employees during the time of your question.

Is Pinecone Research Legit or Scam?

pinecone research legit or scam

Is Pinecone Research Legit?

Pinecone Research is legitimate and is not a scam. This survey program is over fifteen years old and has paid out millions of dollars in rewards to its members. Pinecone offers quality paid surveys and product tests to its members and is known for offering fair rewards. Operated by Nielsen, a market research leader, Pinecone Research is not a scam and is a completely legitimate website.

Eligibility: Available in select countries including USA, UK, Canada, Pinecone Research is an invitation-only panel.


Please note that PInecone Research has been targeted by a cashier's check scam. If you receive a large, unexpected check seemingly from Pinecone, DO NOT attempt to cash it!

Pinecone Research Reviews (695)

5 Star Reviews (387) 55.7
55.7
4 Star Reviews (94) 13.5
13.5
3 Star Reviews (51) 7.3
7.3
2 Star Reviews (41) 5.9
5.9
1 Star Reviews (122) 17.6
17.6

Sort Reviews By: Date | Highest rating | Lowest rating

Great!

January 15, 2016 by Lance from United States

This would be a 5 star rating if there were more surveys. Usually I get about 3 per month which is worth $9. The surveys are pretty much all set up in the same format so you can get through them quickly. Another plus is that they added Amazon cards and instant payment, much better than searching through their gift catalog.

Also another plus is that many of their companies send me free samples. Score!

Unquestionably the Best!!

January 13, 2016 by Amy from United States

Pinecone Research is simply the best!! So professional, so consistent, so unique! I have NEVER been disqualified from a survey! Every survey pays the same $3.00. If you are chosen for a product to test at home, the follow up survey also pays $3.00. If there are higher paying surveys, I am not aware of them. At first I thought that $3.00 didn't sound like very much. Then I realized that I don't even stay with most other survey companies because of the rate of disqualification vs. time spent trying to qualify! Pinecone Research is the ONLY company that consistently sends surveys, and pays very promptly! They do also ask that you occasionally complete brief surveys that ask about products used in your household. They use these to help them know which surveys to send to you. These are not paid, but do enter you into sweepstakes. I always do them because I feel a loyalty to do so! They have a huge catalog of products to choose from when redeeming your points,but I always opt for cash via PayPal. Last year I earned $130, about $10 a month. Doesn't sound like much, but it adds up quickly and next thing you know you are cashing out for $50.00! For very little work, consistent surveys and pay, and no frustration over disqualification - I'll take it! And you should too, IF you can get in! They don't always take new participants. And if you do get in, don't ignore the surveys or they will remove you for not participating, to make room for someone who wants to! Oh, also, I don't believe there is a minimum either - which is another thing that is unique about Pinecone! I'm pretty sure you can cash out whenever you like! They really are stellar! Please let me know if there are other companies out there that can match Pinecone's work ethic and loyalty - because once you work for Pinecone, you simply do NOT want to go back to the frustration and disappointment of working for the others!!

Prestigious

January 6, 2016 by Matt from United Kingdom

This is an invite only site so I'm glad I'm a part of it.
I don't receive as many surveys as I would like tho, they seem to come through rarely, but overall they pay well.

Best Panel EVER

January 3, 2016 by Amber from United States

PROS:
*This panel pays $3 per completed survey, which is better than any panel I've been a member of.
*Money can redeemed for merchandise on the PineconeResearch or transferred to a prepaid gift card.
*Surveys are short, usually 15 minutes or less.
*This panel occasionally offers products for users to test and review.

CONS:
*You must check your email often for surveys, because the panel will cancel your membership if you miss more than a few.

All Around Great

January 2, 2016 by Bill from United States

Excellent Panel. Well organized. Professional. Rewards are issued in a timely manner. Surveys are interesting. Redemption of rewards is easy.