General Discussion Board

Write 5 Reviews & get a Gift Card

vivasuzi — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:39:16 GMT

Haha duct tape is the "master fixer" isn't it? Anytime something is broken and you don't care to replace it, pull out the tape! I use packaging tape (the clear stuff) to hang up my indoor christmas lights every year b/c I didn't want to make holes in my nicely painted walls :)

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darlyn63 — Thu, 14 May 2009 10:47:36 GMT

OH Boy, I could do the 900, I'm like you. I'm a talker, does anyone have duct tape, they make them in colors. Which I did not know. My mom goes to a duct tape festivial (?) every year. Says it is amazing to see what people do with the stuff. I told her they are good for holding shoes together also (My hubby's work boots...lol). True, but then again sad. But the stuff works.

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vivasuzi — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:01:39 GMT

Hi Bonnie :) It's true that it can be easier to write a lot of words when it comes to a product you had issues with. Feel free to share as many reviews as you can and welcome to the site!!!

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BonnieBee — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:29:24 GMT

I just joined this site and wrote my first review. I thought 900 sounded like alot, but it was really easy once I got started. I am gonna write all 5 and more probably. I can really make it to 900 on the products I hate!

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lilsquibb — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:51:27 GMT

kellgemini said…

was this over April 30th? I came to the site via Viewpoints >> To get your $25 restaurant.com gift card, you must submit 5 qualified reviews to viewpoints.com by June 10, 2009.

All reviews must be a minimum of 900 characters to qualify - don't worry, there's a character counter so you know exactly how close you are!

Reviews must be submitted in any of the following 8 categories: Baby, Beauty, Computers, Electronics, Health, Home & Garden, Home Exerciser Equipment and Toys - we're guessing you have more than enough products to work with there!

From what I can tell, the June 10 timeline is a special offer to those who participate with Bzz Agent. Feel free to e-mail Meredith at meredith@viewpoints.com for further claification if this doesn't help.

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vivasuzi — Sun, 03 May 2009 04:40:19 GMT

Hi there! I haven't seen a new announcement yet but it is possible they are doing the same promotion again this month. The original promotion was over April 30, but if you got another email saying June 10 then it is possible they are doing the same promotion again.

Write 5 Reviews & get a Gift Card

kellgemini — Sun, 03 May 2009 02:39:28 GMT

was this over April 30th? I came to the site via Viewpoints >> To get your $25 restaurant.com gift card, you must submit 5 qualified reviews to viewpoints.com by June 10, 2009.

All reviews must be a minimum of 900 characters to qualify - don't worry, there's a character counter so you know exactly how close you are!

Reviews must be submitted in any of the following 8 categories: Baby, Beauty, Computers, Electronics, Health, Home & Garden, Home Exerciser Equipment and Toys - we're guessing you have more than enough products to work with there!

Write 5 Reviews & get a Gift Card

LisaCarey — Sat, 02 May 2009 16:18:00 GMT

Welcome back Caitlin! Always good to have an excuse to share huh?

Write 5 Reviews & get a Gift Card

this2shallpass19 — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:31:54 GMT

missaprilargue said…

well veiwpoints cant just give stuff away... you have to work for it..

missaprilarque,

You hardly have to "work for it", it is very easy. They are giving stuff away and all you have to do is write five 900 character reviews in the appropriate categories. It's not very often you can get something for free that is so easy to obtain.

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vivasuzi — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:32:19 GMT

Sometimes a little incentive can motivate you :) Glad you came back!

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chellerose79 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:48:34 GMT

i would like to win the $25 giftcard so i guess i have to start writing reviews on the products that qualify for this promotion

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caitlinlouden — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:33:17 GMT

I love this promotion, and hope it's still going on. Actually, the promotion really got me back to using the site in the first place, and realizing how much I love talking! Haha, or writing, I suppose. Either way, this is a great promotion:)

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Meredith — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:13:59 GMT

IMPORTANT: We sent out a reminder email about this promotion today. If you received a reminder, it DOES NOT mean you have not yet qualified. We just wanted to remind anyone who may not have participated or had not yet written 5 reviews. The promotion expires April 30. Our system is tracking qualifying reviews so there is no need to notify anyone once you write your five reviews. Let me know if you have ?'s!

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ViewFromParadise — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:23:02 GMT

Great comment ! You mentioned "the right category"
LOL-it takes me longer to choose the catagory for my reviews because there are SO MANY CHOICES.
Heck I cannot remember which qualifies for the gift card and which does not.

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ViewFromParadise — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:02:35 GMT

Hello AKKLEWER,
Thanks for your comment you really got to me and I read the fine print.
Perhaps you misread or misunderstood the 900.
It is referring to 900 characters NOT 900 WORDS.
They make it easy for us to view the number of characters (individual letters) as we type.
My very first review was short because like you I do not like to read a boring repetitive long review. NO it is not a scam offer or difficult to type 900 characters.

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Meredith — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:50:42 GMT

Question: Will someone be tracking us to know when we meet the qualifications or will we have to send a message when we think or know we have met the qualifications?

We're tracking eligible reviews. You do not need to send a message.

It can take up to 30 days to receive your Restaurant.com certificate by email. It takes this time because we have to verify all reviews meet requirements. Also, the program runs through April 30 so we won't begin the distribution of gift cards until the it concludes.

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jtedcastle — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:58:04 GMT

I thought 900 characters would be a lot, until I started writing. It wasn't too bad, and I'm not usually the chatty type :) I just reviewed a bunch of baby slings and stuff, and the 5 items went by pretty quickly.

I'll be able to take my husband out for his birthday! YAY!

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Jo — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:12:15 GMT

Just to add one more thing - It is for the first 10,000 entries. Jo

Write 5 Reviews & get a Gift Card

missaprilargue — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:08:51 GMT

well veiwpoints cant just give stuff away... you have to work for it..

Write 5 Reviews & get a Gift Card

GigiandAdonai — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:27:51 GMT

Oops, sorry I didn't realize that I was following AnnaBanana on page 1 and that the last post was on page 2--sorry.

VivaSuzi, thanks for highlighting some of the rules because the part "The maximum payout per user is one gift card valued at $25." does make it sound like there will be more than one card issued. I printed out the rules so that I could read them in their entirety but haven't yet.

I already posted 3 reviews from April 12th forward in those departments without even knowing I could be in the running.

Question: Will someone be tracking us to know when we meet the qualifications or will we have to send a message when we think or know we have met the qualifications?

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GigiandAdonai — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:24:00 GMT

I'm with AnnaBanana--I didn't think it was a sweepstakes this time. I thought it was a $25 gift card for each person that fulfilled the 5 review/900 character qualifications in the specified departments. And as for 900 characters--believe me it can and is done by more people than you think.

I found out the max. number of characters you can have in a review (My 10 Favorite Horse Movies) because I exceeded the 150,000 character limit by A LOT!

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AmyA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:11:43 GMT

I am a yapper and wrote my five plus working on a few more...all over 1000...try and shut me up lol.

One I thought I would never make it and I looked up to see there was a counter...very nice and helpful, thanks for that!

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ginnygarrett — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:30:52 GMT

I just became a member and didn't know about the incentive. I only found the site because of another incentive program I'm a member of and I have to write a 900 character review for my rewards too. I've just "published" my first review and it wasn't too hard to hit 900 characters if it's a product you really like or dislike. I'm not a writer and I was able to get over 1000 characters. You just have to find the right product.

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vivasuzi — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:45:23 GMT

Anna, I believe everyone who writes the 5 gets a gift card. Here's some language from the rules that makes me think that:

Submit 5 reviews to Viewpoints.com beginning April 9, 2009 (12:01 AM Central time) and receive a $25 gift card to restaurant.com. The Promotion is valid until the first 10,000 reviews are received or until April 30, 2009 (11:59 PM Central time), whichever comes first. The maximum payout per user is one gift card valued at $25.

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AnnaBanana — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:04:01 GMT

I'm a little confused (SO WHAT ELSE IS NEW!!!) but is this five reviews for a CHANCE to win a $25 gift ctf or is everyone who writes these five reviews going to get their own gift card?

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LisaCarey — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:23:11 GMT

ladygirl79 said…

yep catch 22 always a catch but who cares a least i can pay back some of these companies that really tick me off

that's what I like to hear! :-D actually I find I have more good things to say than bad but I sure do like to know when companies or products mess up. just learned today that a lipstick i wanted to purchase was AWFUL for several people so I won't be wasting money on it.

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vivasuzi — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:58:13 GMT

Hi dogzzz, that's correct. Just submit your reviews and VP will know you wrote them. You might want to write more than 5 just to be safe :) We are always open to as many opinions as you can muster! And no one here will tell you to shut up :-D

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ladygirl79 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:00:23 GMT

yep catch 22 always a catch but who cares a least i can pay back some of these companies that really tick me off

Write 5 Reviews & get a Gift Card

dogzzz — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:09:29 GMT

I love this promotion...thank you for helping in tough economic times! A free dinner is a great treat and restaurant.com is awesome! It is amazing how many things you want to give your opinion on when you start looking around your house...900 characters is pretty easy once you get started...of course I have been told I don't know when to shut up...who would of thought that would come in handy...lol:)

Just to make sure I am understanding...once you write your 5 reviews in the select categories, you do not need to do anything else like submit a form or something? Just want to make sure I am good to go for the gift certificate...thanks!

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kimberw83 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:03:13 GMT

Thanks for the replies! :)

Write 5 Reviews & get a Gift Card

LisaCarey — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:16:13 GMT

Kimberw83 . . .you will fit in perfectly here we all have lots of opinions! Thanks for sharing them.

I can say I have been here a year - and if anyone wonders if Viewpoints says they will do it they will do it. So, get your 5 reviews in the categories stated, do the 900 characters and then sit back relax and go out to eat!

After dinner come back and review the restaurant! :-D

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DUISparky — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:26:27 GMT

Hmmm my shortest review is 900 characters - 180 words - and I'm a bona fide slacker.

I think somebody is just a wee bit confused. d;-)

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Jolie — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:03:58 GMT

We will definitely send you the gift card at the end of the promotion! :) Meaning, the end of the month.

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kimberw83 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:50:51 GMT

I haven't been with Viewpoints very long, this is the first promotion or anything I've done...I submitted 5 reviews in the categories listed pretty much as soon as I got the e-mail (it wasn't hard, I have a lot of opinions lol), but I really have no way of knowing if they counted or what. Do they just e-mail you the gift card when the contest is over or what? Just kinda curious...I would hate to have some technicality lose it for me, but I'm pretty sure I followed the rules.

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vivasuzi — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:56:30 GMT

Hi Sydahne, it's going through the end of April or until Viewpoints receives 10000 reviews. If you want to know how long your reviews are, open them up in Edit mode. Then put your cursor in the text box where you typed your review. Add a space, just to act like you are typing something.

Once you start typing in the box, up above you will see "xxx words, xxx characters". So that's how you know!

When you type new reviews, you can see this xxx words as you type.

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sydahne — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:28:33 GMT

Well I think I have 5 reviews not sure if they are all 900 characters, I mean I talk a lot so I know that won't be hard.

How long is this going on for?

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vivasuzi — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:24:27 GMT

HI I read the rules and it says the promotion is over after they receive 10000 reviews OR April 30, whatever comes first. You can write in the other categories as much as you want, it just won't count to the gift card :)

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JovialCougar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:22:22 GMT

Is there a deadline for the prize? Also, what happens if you write a review is a ''forbidden category''. Off with your head :) ?

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Katrena — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:10:56 GMT

They have added a new feature that enables you to see how many characters you are typing in your review. (Thanks for the new feature!) You are also free to use subheadings in your reviews (Here's what I like about this product....Here's what I don't like about this product, etc.)

When I first started writing at Viewpoints, I wondered how on earth I would be able to think of very many products to review. I reviewed my digital camera, a couple of medications, a book, a website....now every time I turn around, I see a potential review. ("Wait! Don't open that package yet. I want to take a picture of it. We can't take those books back to the library yet..I haven't written a review on that really good one. Hmmm.....would anyone actually read a review on toilet paper? You get the picture.)

To give you a few examples of the categories that they are offering the incentive: you're undoubtedly using a computer (there's a mouse, battery, maybe a softwear or a surge protector, perhaps you have a camera or video camera or cell phone?, maybe you take medications or use soap or toothpaste? then there's the lawn mower, string trimmer, vacuum, mattress, refrigerator, stove, washer/dryer, dish washer, cleaning supplies, etc. They also have a discussion about a daily dose of review ideas that might help, if you are interested in writing reviews here and they've offered sweepstakes for people writing reviews during many months.

I am a registered nurse by profession, a mommy the vast majority of the time, and I have had a SMALL handful of pieces published, but I feel that my reviews have improved since I started writing here last June.

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MellaView — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:00:14 GMT

900 characters is nothing! I slammed out 5 reviews in less than an hour, and hoping they were all in the right category. I'm a super fast thinker and typer though, so it was no challenge at all.

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jasyjen — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:30:22 GMT

You know the saying....nothing in life is free! ;-) Seriously, it's just a little work for $ 25.00, and I think that's a pretty good deal.

It's not a scam, you can be assured of that. I've been with Viewpoints over a year now, and have been given everything I was ever promised. If you have any questions, akklewer, please feel free to send me a PM.

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vivasuzi — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:40:32 GMT

Great Jonathan :) We hope you manage 5 reviews!

While we are on the subject, is there a time limit for this promotion? I don't remember seeing one and haven't gone back to read the rules.

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Jonathan97202 — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:49:20 GMT

I have written a few reviews, to be honest this is my first shot at reviewing period so my writing will probably transition as I do, but I am finding it easier to read and write. I am going to hope for the gift card, but am greatful for the added incentive that got me going on something new!

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Jolie — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:51:49 GMT

We appreciate the discussion around this! We thought it was the least we could do for the community! But, as many of you said, we can only compensate at this level for reviews that we know our members are interested in! :) So, jump in, write a review and you will be surprised how quickly you get to 900 characters!

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Jo — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:54:43 GMT

I was going to say the same thing. It's NOT 900 words. In fact 208 words in two reviews ago equaled over 900 characters. And I don't think I could have said more. Suzi, I can write 900 words while I'm reading another review and writing one- just kidding! And I'm not kidding you, akklewer. This is a great place and very legitimate. I know many of the writers and have met a couple of the big people. So give it a shot. Also when you read about the selected categories you have to remember that could include your shampoo, what you use to wipe your counter, your grass seed, shaving cream....Jo

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dovey — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:52:47 GMT

I love this promotion! I had a few things I wanted to review and was writing reviews in my head. This promotion got me motivated to put my thoughts down. This is a really great site with a lot of nice people. It is good you voiced your concern so Meredith and others members could put your mind to rest.

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lilsquibb — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 01:26:04 GMT

Think of it as calling for a little bit of quality for your work. After all really you're getting $5 per review (in cert for anyway), which is a lot more than you would get per review anywhere and most of those places expect a lot more words/characters.

Stick around for a while and take a look at this community. I think you will find that Viewpoints prides itself on taking care of its members. This promotion is just one way to show that.

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bkovacs — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 19:15:04 GMT

akklewer said…

Viewpoints advertises if I write 5 reviwes they will give me a $25 restauran gift card.

Sounds great, right!? But in order to receive the gift card it must a 900 character in length review, and must be a review on a few selected product categories.

I have not yet seen a 900 character review that I wanted to read. This is starting to see like a scam to me. Anyone who can write 900 characters about a product they use is probably a professional writer and should be getting paid a real salary not small incentives like a restaurant gift card.

Just wanted to share this in case others were trying for the gift card too and forgot to read the small print.

For what it's worth, your post above is about 634 characters, including spaces. That's more than 2/3s of the way to the 900 characters required. Even if you eliminate the spaces, it's more than 525 characters, which is well more than halfway to the finish line. I realize that I'm a professional writer, but that seems like a reasonable number to me. Viewpoints wants reviews that give at least a little information and a few opinions, and 900 characters is a good start. Anything less and it would be too easy to scam.

--Bob

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vivasuzi — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:30:10 GMT

I can write 900 characters in my sleep :)

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PattyTherre — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 09:11:00 GMT

900 characters is only about 150-200 word max. Spaces, punctuation, etc. all count as a character There is a character counter (and a word counter) about the box where you write reviews and you can quickly see where you stand when you're writing. It's not a scam. They give all of their prizes out. Try it. It's great to share your opinions with the whole net!

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supertigger796 — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 07:29:18 GMT

I wrote 5 at least I'm pretty sure..haha. But it seemed hard at first, then you just start going to town and it actually is very easy. some of mine were over 900 characteres! owell. anything for a free giftcard. :-)

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LadyMagic — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 02:41:12 GMT

I was just talking about restaurant.com with the hubby yesterday. I do have some health and beauty reviews just about completed. Hmmm, I could finally make Writer1 and dinner out courtesy of Viewpoints. Sounds good to me. Thanks, Meredith and the rest of your team!

Glad it's not 900 words but there are a few people here I bet could do it! : )

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LisaCarey — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:53:53 GMT

It can be confusing -- 900 characters - some may have thought it was 900 words - which even for someone like me who has a hard time shutting up on their reviews would be a bit tough!

I love rest.com so look forward to hopefully winning. I would definitely use it.

Write 5 Reviews & get a Gift Card

Meredith — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:26:46 GMT

We appreciate your feedback. We assure you this promotion is not a scam.

Here is an example of a 900 character review: Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee

900 characters is roughly one solid paragraph. That's approximately 150 words.

Here is a direct link to rules page:

http://www.viewpoints.com/content/sweeps_rules_25restaurant_viewpoints

The review qualifiers are as follows:

All reviews must be a minimum of 900 characters to qualify for the promotion.

Your reviews must be submitted on a product in these (8) categories: Baby, Beauty, Computers, Electronics, Health, Home & Garden, Home Exerciser Equipment and Toys.

Reviews in the Auto, Books & Magazines, Clothing, Education, Finance, Food/Drink, Local, Music & Arts, Movies, Office, Pets, Travel, Miscellaneous and Websites categories are ineligible for payment under this Promotion.

Please feel free to ask me if you have questions about the qualifications. Leave me a comment or send an email to: meredith@viewpoints.com

Write 5 Reviews & get a Gift Card

akklewer — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:13:36 GMT

Viewpoints advertises if I write 5 reviwes they will give me a $25 restauran gift card.

Sounds great, right!? But in order to receive the gift card it must a 900 character in length review, and must be a review on a few selected product categories.

I have not yet seen a 900 character review that I wanted to read. This is starting to see like a scam to me. Anyone who can write 900 characters about a product they use is probably a professional writer and should be getting paid a real salary not small incentives like a restaurant gift card.

Just wanted to share this in case others were trying for the gift card too and forgot to read the small print.