Raising cash in a hurry #18: Start "turking"
Filed under: Simplification, Technology
Late on rent? Loan shark breathing down your neck? Can't fill your car with gas to get to work on Monday? Assuming all available funds and traditional sources of credit are 9tapped out, here are 25 (legal) ways to raise cash in a few days. We list them in order from least to most desperate.
The Internet is a great place to make some extra cash, or at least that's what all the pop ups I got last night said! Thankfully Amazon offers a legit method of raising some extra coin online for completing mundane tasks. To start you just need to sign up with Amazon's Mechanical Turk program, , where companies post tasks that machines cannot easily do, but that are relatively simple for humans. You can choose an assignment, and, on completion, are credited with payment to your Amazon account. This money can be withdrawn once you accumulate $10.
However, these payout amounts are much lower than the many online ad programs or survey sites which greatly increases the chance that you'll eventually see the fruits of your labor. As I check out the current HITs which I qualify for I find over a hundred of them, ranging from free up to $7, but most seem to measure in cents.
If you have a lot of time or you feel comfortable "turking" on your employer's dime then this program could be a good way to make enough money to bankroll your entertainment needs or cover groceries for a week. While this is a relatively easy way to earn money, the time and effort needed to reach a reasonable amount holds this back from being an amazing opportunity. In my opinion this is a good deal if you aren't easily bored and you have the ability to quickly handle simple tasks. But for most people, you'll start off full of gusto and end up with 28 cents in your account just like me.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-17-2008 @ 11:18AM
shawndi said...
Where do I sign up?
Reply
6-17-2008 @ 8:21PM
Josh Smith said...
http://www.mturk.com/mturk/welcome
You can sign in with your Amazon account and accept the Turk terms and agreements.
Reply
6-18-2008 @ 1:57PM
diane said...
I'm a little skeptical. I don't see anything on amazon about this. There is no link to be able to get from your amazon account to this. When I entered my account and password (that I have been using for months on Amazon) it said it didn't recognize either and I had to set up a new password. Now when I get into my amazon.com acct, none of my favorites are in there, my profile is not set up, etc. Thank god I didn't put in any bank info!!! DON'T FALL FOR THIS!!!!
Reply
6-18-2008 @ 2:00PM
Josh Smith said...
If you followed any of the links in the article, the site you went to is legit. Here is more information on the service at Amazon.com, http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?node=15879911
I think it is highly likely that for whatever reason you created a new account and that is why your favorites aren't on Amazon.com. Try using your old information, if that doesn't work email Amazon and get them to combine your accounts.
6-18-2008 @ 2:12PM
dswartz623 said...
If it IS legit, then why are some of the hits by an author named "paulvirus"--are you kidding me? Virus??? Here, let me just fill this out and have someone put a virus on my computer!!
I am not lying about amazon not recognizing my account and password that I have been using for months. It really did happen.
Guess I'm just too cynical to think this is legit...
All I'm saying is: Browser Beware!!!
Reply
6-18-2008 @ 2:15PM
Josh Smith said...
Browser Beware is an excellent attitude to have!
The marketplace for the Turk program is the same as the other sellers on Amazon, or the used sellers on Amazon. They can choose their own name, and I agree that "paulvirus" is a poor name choice.
If I were you I'd still email Amazon, and find out why your favorites are gone, maybe they'll even give you a coupon for the hassle.
Reply
6-21-2008 @ 3:32PM
Ron said...
I looked around and most of the opportunities pay a few cents for a couple hours of work. A few opps are questionable, such as loans sites wanting to pay you $1 to fill in their loan request forms (including social security number). The highest paying opp offered $10 for a 1000 word article. You can do better by signing up with PayU2Blog ($5 for 60 word posts).
Reply
6-21-2008 @ 3:34PM
Josh Smith said...
That's the downside to Turking, the work is often low paying or repetitive.
I hadn't come across the loan app forms with SSN, that doesn't seem right at all. glad to hear you passed on those.