Homescan Consumer Panel Reviews and Features

Homescan Consumer Panel

85 Broad Street, New York, New York  10004 US
Tel: 800.864.1224   Contact:
Operated by: The Nielsen Company, LLC

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KEY FEATURES:

The Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel, has existed for over 25 years and is a mini representation of consumers in every country it operates in. Panelists scan the barcodes on their every day purchases and complete engaging surveys, influencing the consumer marketplace via their purchasing decisions. The Nielsen Company is the world’s leading marketing information provider that measures audience and the effectiveness of business media products and services and operates this panel.

Becoming a Member

Start by filling out the online registration form on the website. Note that only one membership can be completed per household. Once the information is received you will be put on the "Reserve Status Waiting List". Nielsen Homescan will then randomly select households to join the community. This is to ensure that panel members are as diverse as possible. If you have registered, do not register again - you may be on the waiting list for a few weeks or even a few months before getting your acceptance email.

Scan and Earn!

Once you are a registered member, Nielsen Homescan will send you a handheld scanner in the mail (they will pay for the shipping on both sending and returning the scanner) or in non-EU countries such as Canada, you can select the option of scanning your purchases using Nielsen's mobile app. Use this handheld scanner/mobile app to scan the barcodes on all of your purchases. Once a week, simply transmit this information to Nielsen - a super easy and quick process!

Each time you scan an item, you accumulate points that can be used towards items in the Homescan Gift Catalog. When you scan items, note that your information will be aggregated with other participants', and your personally identifiable information will be removed. In addition to scanning your items, you can also take part in fun surveys to earn additional points.

Collecting Points

The amount of points you earn is dependent on the duration of your membership with the panel as well as how consistent you are with scanning barcodes weekly. 1,000 points are worth approximately $1 and the minimum cash out balance is $20, which can be used towards items from the Homescan Gift Catalog.

Homescan Gift Catalog

The Homescan Gift Catalog contains gift-cards that can be used towards electronics, toys and household items. Members can also use points toward sweepstakes entries. Gifts are listed at various points levels, so you can use your points right away, or save up for larger rewards like sunglasses, tablets, TVs and more.

Fun and Easy

Nielsen Homescan works by collecting scanned barcodes on consumer purchases. They also prompt members to complete fun and easy surveys which help with making your voice heard as a consumer!

Other Ways to Earn Points

Complete emailed surveys and earn additional points credited to your account. As a bonus, receive yearly gifts for your participation in the program. Regular participants are also entered into the Nielsen Homescan sweepstakes that are held weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly. Although points give you access to the HomeScan Gift Catalog, sweepstakes sometimes offer cash prizes.

Use the Mobile App to Scan Purchases

In non-EU countries, instead of using the handheld scanner, simply download the “Nielsen Homescan” mobile app, which provides an even easier way to scan your purchases. The app contains the exact same functions as the traditional hand-held scanner but some users find using their mobile phones for this purpose is easier. Note that the mobile app can only be downloaded if you are a panel member and is available in select countries.

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Homescan Consumer Panel Reviews (43)

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September 17, 2010 by Justin from United States

Even though it does take a long time to build your points up, I still like scanning my purchases it is fun and does not take long at all. Another good thing in scanning all the items that I buy is being able to verify my receipt that it is correct.

September 17, 2010 by Jim from United States

Sounded good at first. Got scanner which is a monstrous device and all the literature. Looked very interesting. Doing something every week, hmmm. Well anyway, looked at their points catalog. My Lord to gather points for a decent prize, it would take years. Literally, not kidding folks. Totally not worth the hassle to scan then send by telephone all your purchases. I do mean ALL, every store, every dime you spend, They want to know. NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE.
And when they are told about the incentives holding you back, Oh heres how to send it back.
They don't care.

September 17, 2010 by Marnie from United States

My SIL has been doing it for about 10 years, and has received many nice prizes, and has never had any problems. She finally got me into it last year, and I love it! I work full-time, and I have had no trouble finding time to scan my purchases. Of course it is going to take a long time to get a good prize-they can't give the stuff away for nothing. The catalog is full of REALLY GOOD pricey stuff. This isn't restaurant cards and magazine subscriptions-you can get Nikon cameras, iPODs, home theater systems, Coach bags, vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, video game systems, even telescopes-ALL name brands. They also give away prizes every month if you are eligible for their sweepstakes. It does not take me more than 15 minutes to scan all of my groceries for my family of four each week. I shop at a store that is on the list, so I do not have to enter the prices. This is a Nielsen company, which has been around for ages, so I trust them.

September 17, 2010 by Joann from United States

I am a part-time "stay at home mom" that also has a home office. This was the biggest hassle I have ever done. I thought it would be fun but nope, too much effort for too little pay-off. Yes they sent cute little "gifts" to me, but most of them were pretty useless. The software I had to put on the computer to send my scans in was constantly having errors and I finally sent their stuff back even thought I did have quite a few points built up.

September 17, 2010 by Sean from United States

i tried this panel for about 6-8 months. my scanner never worked, customer service was useless in trying to help fix the problems. i kept trying to email homescan about my problems and kept getting a reply i was emailing the wrong company, even though it was the address i was given. thankfully, they discontinued my membership and i sent their crap back.