Consumer Incentive Promotions (CIP) solicits via email (and popups on internet) and promises a free gift (computer, refrigerator, gift cards, expresso machine, etc.) in exchange for your marketing input and completion of a stipulated number of sponsor offers.
First you discover the marketing questions go on forever. Then you'll discover there is no way you can complete the required number of sponser offers (seems to vary with current promo. Mine was 6 offers) without spending some money. Thats the first frustration... But I decided to proceed because I invested so much time completing the marketing inquiry. I selected the least painful (cost-wise) sponsor offers... Note some are free but in the end you will spend something unless someone more ingenius has figured out this companies rat-maze.
Within in a couple weeks it was confirmed, on company website, that I had completed 4 out of 6 required sponsor offers. Then the fun began. I had two credit card companies I had joined... Citi and discover... These were not accounted for with the other 4 completions. This was in December. CIP website states it could take up to 8 weeks for sponsors to report back to CIP but normally it is 4-6 weeks. It is now April 13th, about 18 weeks since I received the 2 credit cards, and CIP still does not show confirmation.
They have a website inquiry help page... They invite you to make inquiry. I did 3 times and never heard a word back. I tried to get CITI and DISCOVER to confirm to CIP my card ownership... They both basically provide a standard response.
I also initiated a claim in early February with Florida Dept. Of Consumer Services who turned it over to Palm Beach City Consumer Affairs. My claim with them has been ongoing as I have provided copies of my card statements proving sponsor applications were completed. Since that claim was initiated, CIP has sent me emails inquiring about my outstanding 2 sponsor completions. I give them information and ask for additional information and, as their manner is, they never respond to my email.
At best CIP is the most disorganized, malfunctioning company I have ever run across. At worst, and this is where I place them, they have a purpose in their madness and that is to collect money off you via the referrals they get from all the sponsors you sign up for, and insure you never "complete" your requirements so they don't have to make good their promise.
CIP (AKA EMarket Research Group and I'm sure others) may give an occasional gift to keep authorities from shutting them down, but, you can be sure you have a better chance at the lottery than being one of these fortunate few. Seems to me they should be put in jail for their fraudulent "Free Gift" advertising... Not to mention, even when you do cough up money to complete their requirements they still stiff you.
Don't waste your time on these promo offers... They are only out for themselves... At your expense.
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