I know some of were unable to get into Nielsen the last time it was open. I just received an email that they are again accepting applicants. Let me know if it works for you this time!
Nielsen is accepting applicants again to join the Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel. If you are accepted as a panel member, Homescan will provide you with a 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.
Once a week, you’ll transmit this information to Nielsen and you’ll earn points which can be redeemed for a variety of items from the Nielsen Gift Catalog.
From what we’ve heard, it takes a little while to earn rewards, but once you do, they can be redeemed for some great prizes like electronics and household items.
The program receives mixed reviews. Many of you have left comments sharing your experience–both positive and negative. Here are a couple of comments that readers have left that may help you decide whether you’d like to sign up:
“I have been on the panel over 8 years now and have gotten some really great gifts or rewards…Nikon digital camera just a few years ago. Still saving my points…have about 70,000 poits right now.”
and
“I did this and after about two months i sent it back. You have to send it in once a week but we didn’t shop weekly so I would get emails demanding me to send the stuff back. So beware of this and I didn’t earn anything. I think there are easier ways to earns points for gift cards other than doing this.”
If you have older kids, one idea I’ve heard recently is to have them scan the products for you. (What kid doesn’t love to use a scanner?)
If you are interested in signing up, they are taking applications for their panel right now. Go here to read more and sign up.
This usually closes quickly, so I recommend signing up while you have the chance!
Note: We actually received a scanner several months ago and ended up sending it back. It was right after our move and I just didn’t feel I had the time to devote to it at that time. The nice part is that it was easy to send back and Nielsen paid the return shipping.
I was told that my last name was invalid..lol
Sucks, this would be cool to do!
i sent mine back, I don’t shop every week and was gone for a week at my grandmothers. Even though I told them so they could put me on a break list I got emails 2 times a day telling me to scan. It was crazy.
I did enjoy the ‘free gift” reuseable frozen food s bag I got
This was the reply I got (the link to register for the reserve list takes me to a broken website, it doesn’t work! disappointing!)
Thank you for your interest in the National Consumer Panel.
At this time, we do not have a scanner available for a household from your area. If you would like to be considered for the panel in the future, please register at http://www.ncponline.com and you will be placed on our reserve panel.
Thanks!
Lynne Morrison
National Director
National Consumer Panel
Maybe your husband will be lucky enough to get my scanner. I just returned mine over the weekend. I found it to be more of a hassle than anything and I was not able to transmit from my home phone….it does not work real well on a cordless phone….so I would bring it to work to transmit. I found entering the items to be time consuming because of the whole issue of whether the items were on sale or if you used a coupon, etc. Maybe your husband will have more patience than I do! Ha Enjoy it because I think it could be quite profitable!!