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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May 5, 2016 by Molly from Canada

Very time consuming and not worth the effort for the amount of time it takes to earn any rewards. The helpdesk is not helpful at all. Left the program and contacted the helpdesk, as per their instructions, to obtain a waybill to return the scanning unit, and instead of sending the waybill, they referred me to a collection agency. Now I am trying to deal with a collection agency who is making the process even more difficult. STILL WAITING for a waybill to be provided after nearly two months. Very unhappy and suggest that you seek survey rewards elsewhere.

April 27, 2015 by Lorna from Canada

I have only been a member here for under a year, but it seems very long to earn many rewards that add up to any concrete rewards... I do scan all my purchases.. and submit it all, answer all surveys and try to participate in other surveys such as food consumption diaries.. this was a total time waster.. the program was not user friendly for uploading pictures as they requested.. and some days took over 2 hours per person to load the meals and put the details they wanted. They are supportive when they answer you. Have sent out some perks such as little grocery bag... but lots of info sent in for what I see as earned rewards at this point, but will come back once I have hit the year mark to give a fuller evaluation.

March 22, 2015 by Cindy from United States

I'm surprised at the negative reviews for them. I just reached my 6 year mark, and I enjoy it very much. The older scanners were a pain, but you can request the newer model. It is true that the points needed to redeem for items used to be really high, but they have changed companies for their gift reward supplier this year. The points needed to redeem have fallen dramatically. I have gotten a lot out of this, and it is fun for me. I enjoy it very much. Maybe it's "not for you", but it suits me just fine. May be worth another look, you never know!! LOL!

January 15, 2015 by Jason from Canada

Been a member since 2009, scanning purchased products, answering surveys and participating in diaries. Here are my thoughts on my experience thus far:

PROS:
+ Easy to use barcode scanner
+ Week-long Diaries every other month (typically $15 gift card upon completion)
+ Qualify 99% of the time for surveys

CONS:
- The software tends to crash when attempting to transfer scan logs
- Not as many surveys as before
- Can feel like a chore at first

OVERALL:
At first it felt like a chore having to scan every item I purchase; however, once it becomes second nature like brushing ones teeth, its quite easy to accumulate points. These days there appears to be less surveys but there has been a recent rise in online diaries which I qualify for almost 100% of the time.

August 16, 2014 by Joyce from United States

Needs more constant attention than a cantankerous new puppy. Insists on having constant internet connectivity. 90% of the items I tried to scan didn't have codes and I wasted hours for negligible "reward points." UGH...scanner was beeping and bugging me in the middle of the night, negatively affecting my sleep! Avoid like bubonic plague if you have any semblance of a normal life.