SwagBucks has replied to my last email to them. See the original post with the email I sent – SwagBucks Related Post.
Hello,
Thanks for contacting Swag Bucks customer support. We’re working on this right now. You should see an updated "terms of use" within the coming month.
–
Thank You,
Team Swag Bucks
Here’s hoping for the best.
So, let me start the post on a positive note by saying that SwagBucks is a great way to score some freebies. It’s a wonderful concept, and they’re absolutely legit.
Moving on, I have to say that it’s time for another “one of those” kind of posts.
Well, no, but they are pretty cool. I snagged this great t-shirt for only 40 swagbucks:
Says some pretty nifty stuff on the back, but you can check that out over at the Swag Bucks Blog or the SwagBucks store.
Don’t know what SwagBucks is?
SwagBucks is a search engine that gives you search results from Google and Ask.com, where you can win “swagbucks” in your searches to trade in for gift cards, music, movies, books, games, and so much more! Why search Google for nothing when you can search on SwagBucks and win? Get paid for what you already do online! Check it out here.
I get a lot of hits lately from people searching the web looking for new swag codes. I don’t mind the hits, but I don’t want people thinking that this blog is any sort of source for swag codes. If you’ve come here looking for swag codes, make sure to visit the Swag Codes Blog!
Hey, don’t go just yet! If you came here looking for swag codes, then you should check out the SwagBucks related posts here on Geek Dad. From oldest to newest:
SwagBucks Info
Saw the last Dr. Who DVD. Also, yay Swagbucks!
Featured on SwagBucks
SwagBucks – Fox59 Search
SwagBucks, SwagCodes, and secret policy.
SwagBucks, SwagCodes, and secret policy. Part 2
SwagBucks, SwagCodes, and secret policy. Part 3
How to get referrals
Geek Dad’s Guide to Free Stuff
SwagBucks – Default search engine?
Enjoy the reading, and good luck on SwagBucks!
Don’t know what SwagBucks is?
SwagBucks is a search engine that gives you search results from Google and Ask.com, where you can win “swagbucks” in your searches to trade in for gift cards, music, movies, books, games, and so much more! Why search Google for nothing when you can search on SwagBucks and win? Get paid for what you already do online! Check it out here.
I’m running Windows Vista Professional, and my computer has IE7 installed (Not IE8).
I haven’t tested it on any other setup because I have no need to do so. I actually use Firefox as my primary browser, but today I docked my quick launch toolbar outside of my start menu and added an address bar to it for quick access. Since Firefox is my default browser it automatically pulls Firefox up when I type in an address. However, if I search for something using the address bar it was pulling up IE’s default search engine even in Firefox. I’m not a fan of Live Search, so I was going to change it to Google. Then I noticed something nifty… I could add a custom search engine. Now when I’m searching for something from Windows (or IE) it automatically pulls up Swagbucks.
So I’m going to give you a quick step-by-step on making SwagBucks your default search engine. Also, I used the Windows Snipping Tool for the images. Don’t hate me for sloppy images. =D
Step 1: Sign up for SwagBucks here.
Step 2: Open your “Internet Options” (these can be found in IE or from your Control Panel).
Step 3: Open the Search Settings and click “Fine more providers…”
Step 4: Follow the instructions on Microsoft.com to “Create Your Own”
After you’ve followed these steps you will be able to set SwagBucks as your default search engine! Easy, free, and more chances to win!
Well, the title is sort of misleading. I wish there really was a Part 3, but SwagBucks stopped replying to my emails after Part 2. I don’t know why, and to be honest I’m disappointed. In their last email to me they made certain to tell me they didn’t stop replying to people, and they also told me that they would be posting their official policy on the codes late in the week. That never happened.
Make sure you’ve read the first part before you read this. If you’ve already read the first part, I received a reply from SwagBucks!
When SwagBucks first released the Swagcodes, they apparently had no idea that the codes would be as popular as they are.
ETA: I am an active member of SwagBucks, and this is posted with respect. I encourage everybody to follow the rules on all of the sites that I promote, but that’s hard to do when the rules are not clear. Please know that this is in no way intended to “bash” or insult SwagBucks in any way.
I’m trying out some new (well, new for me) search sites. If you’ve tried them, please drop a comment and let me know what you think! If not, feel free to check them out. Just use them like you normally would use a search engine and you’ll earn/win in no time.
If you’re interested in seeing a list of sites I actively use, check out Geek Dad’s Guide to Free Stuff and Payment Proof.
Blingo is a Search & Win site by PCH. From what I’ve read this one really does work, but you may not see immediate results because it is a true Search & Win site, so you’ll win randomly. There is a decent range of different prizes you can win. The search is powered by Yahoo, Live, and Ask.
Scour is points based searching. You can get up to 3 points per search (1 point for searching, 1 point for voting, and 1 point for commenting), and you can cash in your points for visa gift cards. Search results by Google, Yahoo, and MSN – and you can customize which search engine carries more weight in your searches! Very nice site, and it looks like it has a lot of promise. Get 50 points just for signing up.
mySearchBonus
I’m not really sure about this one. The design is very simple, and I’m having a hard time finding reviews for it. This search site is points based, so you get 1 point per search. Nice range of prizes, too, and the points requirements are pretty reasonable for the prizes. You get 50 points for signing up.
Update: I did some research on this one (mySearchBonus) and found many reviews about how people not only didn’t get their prizes, but after ordering their prizes they received emails with the following message:
During the order review process, your account was cited for abuse. As a result, all of your points have been removed, and any pending orders have been canceled. This decision has been manually reviewed by our support team and can not be reversed. It is our policy not to answer any further inquiries regarding the method and/or technology used to determine abuse.
A few people? Sure, I can understand that some people commit fraud. It’s sad but it happens. There wasn’t even a decent balance between people who did and didn’t receive their prizes; I found one person that claims to have received a gift card (no proof) and everything else I read was followed up with that email after they redeemed their prize and waited 8 – 10 weeks. My advice is don’t join, and don’t waste your time. Try the other sites instead.
Have you seen it yet? SwagBucks has released the new Fox59 Search! The prizes include items related to Family Guy, the Simpsons, and a few other shows. I’ll be doing some of my searching on Fox59.
Don’t know what SwagBucks is? Sign up today! There are tons of search sites dedicated to what interests YOU. All you need is to register once and you have access to every single search site.
