The Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel is once again accepting new applicants in many locations.
If you are interested I would sign up quick, because these go FAST!! I have never had the opportunity to participate in this program because they never need members in my area. I will say it is said to be a little work, but many participants say the benefits are wonderful, lots of free stuff!!
Have you heard of the Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel?
As a Nielsen panel member, Homescan will provide you with a FREE hand-held scanner. Every time you or members of your household shop, you’ll use the scanner to scan the barcodes on all of your purchases. Then, once a week, you’ll send them your purchase information.
What’s in it for you?
You’ll earn gift points for scanning products. The gift points will be redeemable for name-brand merchandise, including electronics equipment, jewelry, household items, toys, and much more! You’ll also earn entries into sweepstakes!
Interested in becoming a Homescan Panelist?
Just go here and fill out the form! Please be aware that certain Zip codes are excluded (I’m not sure which ones), so you may or may not qualify. It worth a shot to see, though! (Unfortunately, my zip code didn’t need anyone, rats!)
Do I have any readers currently in the program that would like to share their perspectives?
This is an awful program. I joined, sat on the waiting list for a scanner forever while they e-mailed me survey stuff, started surfing around to find out more info from people who finally DID get their scanners and found out that it takes nearly forever to earn the rewards and it is a pain to scan in each item–and some store’s receipts it doesn’t recognize so you never earn the points for those…just a clunky program. I guess it would be fine if you didn’t work, didn’t have any kids, a life, etc. and just really wanted to waste hours of your life scanning every item you purchase, but definitely not for me!
It has always just said no immediately before, but this time it asked me a lot of questions and said I’m on the waiting list! Maybe soon…
I live in Murfreesboro and was able to make it through the complete information sheet, and was told that I will be placed on a waiting list for a scanner that meets our home. That is further than I have ever made it!! So excited!
Sounds great. I got put on the waiting list, so we’ll see.
.-= Courtney Williams´s last blog ..My Christmas Present =-.
I did this for a couple of months last year. It was a lot of work. I decided around Thanksgiving that I just couldn’t do it anymore. I didn’t think it was worth the extra trouble. I work full time & was trying to do coupons & it just drove me crazy trying to do this too.
Love your website!
I am a new Nielsen scanner. It does take a little while to upload my information. For me, it is best if I just upload my nongrocery purchases (Rite Aid, CVS, Target, etc.). With an infant, it is hard enough to get all the groceries unloaded and put away before everything melts! I do not have time to scan everything. The good news is that you get points for your weekly submission (it doesn’t matter if you scan 1 thing or 100 things). So far, the only free thing I’ve gotten is a reusable grocery bag.
I am a member and only started a few months ago. It’s easy to scan stuff after I get home, just takes a little bit of time. I really like the program so far.
I’ve been doing it for about five months now and yes it is definitely a lot of work. You have to scan all of your purchases (every item you purchase) and note whether or not you used coupons (which I do) and how much the face value of each coupon is.
It does take a long time to acquire points but I feel like it makes me more accountable for my purchases and who knows what the long term potential may be. They offer monthly sweepstakes and contests as incentives for scanning and submitting weekly. So maybe one day I’ll win big!
So my official verdict… if you don’t have time to spare, this program is probably not for you. However, if you have some extra time in your day, if you take a serious interest in the planning and executive of your shopping trips, and are disciplined enough to do all of the work that’s involved, by all means get on board.
I like knowing that my purchases are influencing the way retailers and manufacturers do business. I hope this helps!