MyPoints Still Aren't Building Up Very Fast (mypoints.co.uk)

Member Name: aljones

Product:	mypoints.co.uk
Date:	29/07/01 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Free, Can earn money

Disadvantages: Takes a long time to earn a small amount

MyPoints.co.uk is yet another money-making opportunity that has opened up on the internet. However, unlike sites such as I-points, Dooyoo, Consumer Reviews and Ciao, the speed at which you add up points are very much dictated to you, rather than you being able to go off and earn as many as you can.

Registration to the site is simple, just simply supplying the usual contact information. You then have several choices on how to earn points, which convert to money. But while there are plenty of opportunities to spend the point you earn, there really aren't that many opportunities to earn points in the first place.

So how can you earn the points? Firstly you can visit web sites. Easy. You go the relevant page on the MyPoints site, and click on the links to the web sites that are being advertised. You get 10 points for visiting, and may, or may not, get more points for doing something on the site, such as registering, betting or buying. Originally when I signed up, there were about 15 sites you could visit, but when I visited earlier today there were just two! Very poor, and you now start to see why my points aren't exactly building up very quickly.

The second way of earning points is through e-mails. Every now and again, MyPoints sends out an e-mail advertising a web site. Again, you get at least 10 points for visiting that site through the link on the e-mail, and again more if you go on to buy something from them. Originally, e-mails didn't come through that often. Then, they started coming through with more than one a day at times. Now however I very seldom get anything from them, in fact a few days ago I got my first e-mail in about two weeks. I get my e-mails in pure text format, though if your e-mail programs supports it, you can get them in full colour HTML format.

Next is the Try-it-out way of earning. Here, you just get points for buying and trying things online. Of course, this means you have to spend money, so you
r not exactly getting something for nothing anymore. In the past there has been a wide range of services in this category, but recently it seems to have been taken over by on-line betting web sites, which I have no interest in.

The final method is through completing surveys. This would be great, if there were ever any surveys. Since I have been a member, they haven't had even one survey to complete, which is very poor indeed. So, I can't really comment on what they are like or what you get for doing them, for the pretty obvious reason.

When you come to redeem your points you have a bit more choice. Basically you exchange your points for vouchers for high street shops such as Woolworths, Argos, Dixons, Virgin/Our Price, etc. There is plenty of choice, so no problems here, except the points needed. To get just a £5 voucher you need to have totalled 750 points, 1350 for £10, and so on for £20 vouchers and higher. Thus, it pays to save up more points before you convert as you'll get a better deal the higher you go, but the trouble with this is that it take so long to build up any points. I've been a member for a while now, must be at least 8 months, and I have earned just 740 points! And its not like I haven’t been trying to earn them, as I've taken almost every opportunity to build up my balance.

So what about the other aspects of the web site itself. Its quite well organised, and to earn points you don't even have to log in, as you are remembered as being the last person to log in from your computer (using cookies of course). You can remove your 'member key' if you are using a shared computer, but if you are the only one to use your computer, then you need not bother. You only ever have to 'log in' to look at your account details or to redeem your points, if you ever get that far.

Its quite a fast site, and is logical in the ay it works, and is very easy to see what to do next. You get a
menu bar down the left hand side of all the things you can do, which is quite handy but is hardly uncommon on a well designed web page. Graphically is not complex but is very nice.

This would be a great site if only there were more money making opportunities. Its well designed and is quite quick, with only the odd broken link. I still recommend it beacuse at the end of the day it is free, and you do get something for nothing even if it does take a long time.

*************************************
* UPDATE - 25th September 2001 *
*************************************

OK, two months on from writing this opinion, and my points still aren't exactly sky rocketing. Just 850 in the bank this morning. Basically, I have actually took advantge of some of the offers put my way, then maybe they would build up faster. But having said that, most of the offers aren't that great anyway!

Nevermind, seeing as you don't have to do much I shall persevere, but I don't hold any hopes of making serious money from the site. I have however now got over the threshold to receive a 5 pound voucher, so thats something at least!

Summary: