Sago Reviews 222

Ditto to everything everyone else has already said. New cashout minimum is $50 instead of $25, so good luck ever getting any amount $49 or under if you don't qualify for any future work for them. User Daniel M has the right idea here -- wish I could reach out to him! Daniel, if you see this, email me at frangipanivine @ yahoo dot com -- arbitration, demand letter, leading up to and potentially including class action is the only way to keep companies like this from screwing people over. I can only imagine they are "floating" cash over these periods of weeks to months so the delay is not a lack of staff or man hours -- the delay is because they have used YOUR payment to pay someone else from months ago. Clients (the researchers, marketers, whoever hires Sago to recruit for studies) should be made aware of this and AVOID THEM if they want quality participants! So many other platforms you can work for that operate so much more professionally!

As many other reviewers state, it takes way too long to receive your incentive after completing your group / task. I have participated with many other companies and the longest wait I have experienced was two weeks; many pay within 2-3 days max. Would not recommend participating with this company.

I have filled out multiple screeners for Sago and today Lydia turned me down. It appears Sago has a bad Rap!

Moving on!

I participated in marketing research with Sago by completing a so called "paid" survey. I was not compensated for completing the survey. I think people have the right to know that their time will be wasted if they attempt a "Sago" survey.

My experience with Sago Focus Group has been extremely disappointing. I participated in a study and submitted reward redemptions on January 20, 2026. According to their stated timeline, rewards should be processed within 4–6 weeks, yet both of my requests are still listed as “Processing” well beyond that timeframe.

I have contacted both Sago support and the Virtual Reward Center multiple times and followed the instructions provided, including reaching out to the partner email address they directed me to. Despite these efforts, I have received no acknowledgement, update, or resolution.

Participants dedicate their time and input to these studies with the understanding that compensation will be delivered as promised. When rewards remain pending for months and inquiries go unanswered, it raises serious concerns about how participant compensation is handled. Because of the lack of response, I have had to escalate the issue and file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in order to seek resolution.

I participated in a study on July 2025 today is March 4 2026 and still haven’t been paid
You’re unable to speak with anyone and it actually feels like a scam because there’s just hurdles to get paid
It used to be you got paid the same day
Then you got paid within two weeks
This last one is NINE MONTHS and still not paid It’s absolutely horrendous what a rip off
I will never participate in another survey no matter the incentive these people are completely unreliable
NEVER EVER AGAIN

I'll start by saying Schlesinger was fantastic, before being taken over by SAGO. They were robust in their subjects, fair in their payouts, had competent, responsive staff, and TIMELY in their payments.

As most here have already said, they're exactly the opposite of all those now. When they say "4-6 weeks for payment," not only is that FAR from industry standard (which is typically, days, hours, or occasionally on the spot), but it's a generous claim now.

As of this writing, I'm already 2-3 days over the 6-week waiting period, and they neither return email outreaches, nor even answer claim tickets.

For the first time in 25 years, I'm strongly considering voluntarily removing myself from a market research group's database.

They CLEARLY only want ALL the money (from their clients, and us, to make as much money as possible while they're sitting on it), and don't give a crap about the people who make their company possible to exist.

They now suck. Steer clear.

While they ask for a whoppingly ridiculous 4-6+ weeks for payments to process, they don't even fulfill them on this schedule anymore. Their phone line doesn't connect you to anyone anymore either. It is starting to bear more of the hallmarks of a scam. I'll bet there will be a class action coming soon.

Am like this if you been doing studies with them for awhile now why don't they have a process that has people already verified in system to where they can pay people faster. It's sick that we do a study and have to wait months, bit we took our time to be there so I really think something needs to change with this process. I did a field work study the other day and could pick a zelle, PayPal oor card payment

This Market Research company IS A SCAM!!! they will make you chase the money and most of the time people never end up getting paid while sharing all their personal details including address, phone number, emails full name. STAY A WAY FROM THIS COMPANY!!

I recently participated in fast food study.
I was recruited by Allison Montenegro.
It has been over 8 weeks since I completed all tasks but I still have not been paid.
I have reached out on Instagram, email and to the recruiter directly.
Either they ghost me or ask me to wait further.
I had to spend my own money to complete the fast food related tasks.
I will be filing a complaint with MRS society and also the financial ombudsman for fraud - payment not recieved for services rendered.
To anyone else thinking of participating with these guys, they go by incling/ inspired opinions on Instagram, do not do it for your peace of mind. They are other research agencies out there who are professional and pay their respondents in a timely fashion.
Name : Aayan S

it is so difficult to retrieve the payment via gift card. I waited almost 2 months to get it and then when I finally got it and went through several security password screens it shows PAID and I actually never got the gift card. There is noone to help in the redemption center where the cards are offered, only emails with standard replies. This is the second time this has happened to me. I will never take another survey for them.

The interview processes went well and was professional. The payment process has gone very slow. Not payment after 6 weeks. Log in attempts have failed and the resetting of password also fails.
I wanted to give my feedback on the company that used these guys but I won't do it again. isn't worth the time spent helping a company improve if after the fact you feel as though you were lied too. I have a negative feeling of the company I provided the feedback on, as well as with this company. Not a true scam, but it is poor business practices.

Cool Study, played games for an hour to be promised $225. But their payment times suck! They will take their time and then some. It’s 1-4 days (they will take 4) to offer the incentives which are just gift cards then take “4-6 weeks” (they will take 6) to actually give it to you. I had to threaten to report them week 5 for me to get anything and they didn’t even give me the whole $225 (just $150). It is now week 6 and 2 days and still no remaining $75

These jokers have had me hanging , won't respond to submitted tickets, all over a freaking $10 virtual rewards card that I've been waiting for over a month for... I got paid the first time but I guess that's how they hook everybody in for free work..Dont give these punks any of your time.. and besides they don't even offer cash rewards or Bank transfers it's all just their freaking virtual gift cards ....F-

I did a study with Sago through User Interviews two months ago and they have ignored messages I've sent them and not paid me what was advertised. Don't engage with this firm if you value your time.

Company does not pay you after completion of studies...they are acting dumb and telling me oh we don't know we contacted the client. Three studies they screwed me on and don't care, don't waste your time, they basically steal your information and hard work and wave at you

I completed a research study using a dandruff shampoo. They made it so that I was only able to complete one of the surveys and then sent an email saying if I completed the second I would still be compensated. I haven't heard any responses to any of my emails. Pretty sure their just going to use my data and not pay me.

Sago bought Schlesinger and the process has gone from heaven to hell! Not only does it take MONTHS to receive even a virtual card, but the customer service doesn't exist anymore. Sago has to be the worst company. I'm surprised more people aren't raising hell. I have worked for GSA in the past and even the federal government doesn't take 2 months to disburse a couple hundred dollars! This amounts to using deposited money to gain interest because there's no plausible explanation for this chicanery!

Sago is now known as “Focus Group”
Same issues as in other reviews on how they don’t pay out the “rewards”.
You give them your time and opinions, they are supposed to pay you. But they delay that payment as long as possible. At this writing, I have NOT received the 200.00 “reward” for my time.