Reading at ReadBud and I realized something ...  

I'm still starting so I have to ask some serious questions now before I commit myself for another 160 days. Of course, the 160-day estimate to payout is based on the assumption of steady income per day. But I already know, the last $10 is going to be one slow ride as others have been reporting so far.

So, to read or not to read. That is the question.

again, 100% CORRECT. you have analysed correctly. and, most of the early birds there are telling us about their experience on the last 10 dollars.

but, .. chose your interests correctly. and save the articles. YOU can READ them at leisure, and use them appropriately. who will ask you, if the site becomes obsolete? at some time later... so, better save the husk, when you are not sure of the grains.

Actually, I'm already doing that. I'm saving articles I like so I can rewrite them later for my blogs. So right now, I'm not really concerned about getting paid just yet. I can still consider this ReadBud thing as some kind of RSS feed that brings me interesting articles to read.

thanks mate for the wonderful bragging rights. Best Response pencil....

Yup. I have seen so many posts about that last $10 problem. For me, the delay is still okay (i.e., within my acceptable timeframe) as long as they eventually pay. I'm just curious where they are suppose to get the money.

I figured it out. I think I know how ReadBud will be able to afford to pay its members. It's an AdSense-laden site and it earns from the clicks readers make on the Google's ads.

Therefore, the last $10 problem experienced by members getting to the payout must be directly related to the amount of money ReadBud has earned from its members. I suppose if the member clicks rarely there's no reason for ReadBud to show more articles.

Hmm. It's a bit sneaky for ReadBud to be making money from AdSense. Maybe it expects the members to figure this out quid pro quo arrangement.

You scratch my back I scratch yours.

Well, if you get to rate an article twice, it will cost them more. Anyway, I'll take a look. I usually copy and save the better ones for my files so if it's true, then that is another red flag for ReadBud.

I will double check from my article history as well. Like I said I could be totally wrong, but some of the articles I have rated sure seems to have been repeated. I will let you know if I find repeated articles in the history.

Hmm. I just discovered where the money is coming from. ReadBud is actually an AdSense-laden site. I just didn't see the ads before because my AdBlock add-on is enabled.

It seems ReadBud is as much a publisher as myLot. And I think that it is Google and its many advertisers that are paying for our $50.

Hmm. I wonder what happens if we click on the Google ads.

I click the adsense for them sometimes.

Okay, I was wrong, not duplicated, but similar. For instance, I have this Amish Furniture Outlet - Quality for Less Money, and the other one is Amish Bedroom Furniture: Making Memories last. Both are quite similar. There's quite a few of those that are similar topic.

I've noticed also similar articles but since I am familiar in writing articles for internet, I think that these articles are re-writes.

For the question on when they will get the money to pay for us, those people who advertise their articles pay for it. If you will notice, each article advertised is cost $0.20 per click. You can check in Advertisers tab. You will also noticed that some articles are promotional. I also think that people who advertise their articles are site owners and bloggers. They submit their web articles from the site, then when we rated them, it will be reflected in their site. And I agree with you in the Adsense. I think they also believe that somehow, we will click their adsense.

I am new in this too so I am also waiting for the day that I will reach $50. I searched in the web for the payment proof and I found two. Both of them claimed that this is new, like this year only. If I receive payout, I will post the proof also so that the doubts will be cleared. I hope this is not a scam, anyways, articles are good, some of them give me ideas on what to write for my blogs.

Okay. It makes sense. Then, at least in theory, ReadBux has the money to pay the members. Of course, it's another matter for ReadBux to decide when to make the payment due.

Anyway, I'll be tinkering with the site and see what other secrets it may have.

I get a feeling that the part where the reader rates the article is a red herring. An aspiring writer may want his/her writing rated, but to actually pay for it seems desperate.

Anyway, it's probably better to wait until somebody here at myLot does get paid.

I was wondering how long it will take for you to wander in this discussion. You just can't resist Readbud, can you??? I wish there are more websites like readbud.

Even when I don't 'wander in' I have probably seen all the discussions that are available. There are so many now. Months of reading and doubts and still no-one has been paid. I find this intriguing

You really are the devil. I read the discussion you recommended. It's really putting me off now. I was all...let me check it out myself and see for myself whatever it might be. Now, knowing that they are stealing articles from someone else.......grrr....and double

You are making this wayyy too hard for me. I should stop it on the moral ground, but then, I want to have a solid proof so that I can tell everyone. Some people would think nothing of the stolen articles and still go for the money. If I have a proof that they don't pay, that would surely put everyone off.

I haven't seen any word yet about someone who doesn't get paid.

Oh! You hadn't seen that one?

The whole point of my interest is that the site does not state how long it will take to receive payment once it has been requested and, as yu suggest, no-one has yet stated that they have not been paid - nor that they have requested. It seems that many, once they near payout, receive fewer articles to rate

I shall continue reading.... and soon, I hope, the truth will unfold

I have seen some members saying that they receive less and less articles when they are nearing pay out. I am now up at 26+, but I seem to be getting about the same amount. Someone mentioned that they receive less articles after they cross the $25 mark.

What do you suggest? Should I continue or should I stop?

mysdianait: Well, this is the first time I'm doing due diligence with ReadBud. I usually let a week or so pass by to give me a chance to observe a new site and then, I start analyzing my observations. I only realized something off today when I was looking at the cost per article and I made some quick calculations.

I'll be reading the previous discussions on ReadBud to get a sense of the magic behind ReadBud.

zralte I suggest that you do what you feel like doing.
Please inform us when/if you are paid. Whoever starts that discussion will have pages and pages of responses

bloggeroo indeed 'magic' does semm to be part of the trick that is making so many believe in this site

Okay, now decision made. Don't really care if it is legit or scam though it would be nice if it is legit however unlikely that might be. I am now continuing with readbud for the sole purpose of finding out if they pay. I will stop as soon as I send in my payment request.

Now you all bear witness to this - not that there's anything you can do from halfway across the world This is my mission now - to reach the payout and have a proof of the non-payment or otherwise.

That's what is called teamwork! Sacrificing your time for the sake of fellow Readbuders and Lotters too!

You know that you have at least one witness

I am secretly hoping still that I will get paid. That's part of the reason if I were to be honest. But shhhh....don't tell anyone.....I still like to be known as the 'Sacrificer' - if there ever was such word.

I am cheering for you!

hey, start composing the discussion that will be required when it happens too

Yeah, with my writing skill, it will take that long to finish it anyway. I am starting right now. Hmmm...Come to think of it, just in case I get payment, I might as well start the thank you discussion as well. You never know. Strange things have happened.

zralte OUT

I'm not too keen on the ReadBud idea anymore. Anyway, I only have a small amount in my balance so it's easy for me to just walk away. There are other alternatives I'm considering which may be more related to what I'm doing everyday on the internet.

Since I posted this, there have been a couple of more discussions started about ReadBud. It seems members are finally noticing difficulties with the site and its business model.

Super