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 (696)

5 Star Reviews (388) 55.7
55.7
4 Star Reviews (93) 13.4
13.4
3 Star Reviews (53) 7.6
7.6
2 Star Reviews (41) 5.9
5.9
1 Star Reviews (121) 17.4
17.4

Sort Reviews By: Date | Highest rating | Lowest rating

A personal favorite!

November 30, 2020 by Melinda from United States

I've seen a LOT of negative reviews on this and decided to share my experience. For one - I know no one read terms and conditions half of the time, but they clearly state that they reserve the right to disable your account at any time. It's annoying, I'm sure for everyone who's experienced it - BUT, they do it when you no longer fit the demographic they're searching for. I recommend cashing out EVERY time you get credited. If you do the virtual card you can use the "save for later" option and keep it all separate from the site in case you're account is deleted.

I've NEVER had an issue with cashing out. I've cashed out for over a year now and never once was I messed over. If you do have a problem, contact their support team. I was late to a product review survey and emailed them, the next day I had a response and the matter was sorted. This site pays very well, I've tried MANY things not out yet, and its probably the only site I don't dread logging in to.

Bonus - they don't send a billion emails a day. You get them only when a survey is ready, which isn't every day. Also, three dollars a survey is soooo worth the ten minutes of time it takes.

Among the best

September 26, 2020 by Suzanne from United States

The surveys are enjoyable, non-repetitive, and relevant. I’ve never had an issue and find support to be very timely and helpful if I ever have a question.

Pinecone Research reply logo

Pinecone Research responded to this review on January 22, 2021

Hi Suzanne,

We're happy to hear you have been enjoying your experience with our panel and hope you like our newly redesigned website as well as point redemption features.

Best Regards,
Karen Scott
Okay Experience

August 1, 2020 by Kris from United States

UPDATE:
Most of the surveys they send me I qualify for without answering a lot of questions for it. I do not get a lot of surveys but I am always paid for them. I have received a few items to review at home.

UPDATE:
I have been receiving household surveys from them to see if I qualify for a survey. Some of these surveys can be long and they have nothing to do with the survey when I take it.
I also have not been paid for a long survey I took in November. I have sent (2) e-mails to them and I have not received money for it.
Most of the surveys have been (15) - (20) minutes but I had some that were at least (45) minutes. You should be paid more than $3 for those surveys.

1st Feedback (4) Stars
I have been doing surveys for several months. The surveys are easy to do. They typically take (15 - 30) minutes. You sometimes get free samples to review. It is easy to get your $ for the surveys.

The only negative about it is they do not offer a lot of surveys. I may only get a few a month.

Pinecone Research reply logo

Pinecone Research responded to this review on January 22, 2021

Hi Kris,

Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review! We apologize for the delay in compensation for the surveys. Usually, it may take 3-5 business days to receive your points for each completed study.

We also appreciate your feedback regarding compensation for surveys which require more of your time, and will pass this along to the appropriate department.

Regards,
Karen Scott
A great paying site

May 4, 2020 by Hans from United States

Pinecone is by far the best survey site going! Surveys usually take about 5 minutes to complete and you get $3.00, usually paid the very next day . The surveys are also fun. I highly recommend Pinecone.

rewards

April 30, 2020 by michael from United States

One of the best sites out there that pay great and the surveys are very interesting to take.

Pinecone Research reply logo

Pinecone Research responded to this review on August 14, 2020

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the quick review! We're glad you're enjoying our surveys!