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 dermot from United States

You get a scanner and have to scan the barcode on all your shopping.Then you have to type in all the prices. Then you have to transmit the codes down a phone line.On a Saturday night you can spend over an hour trying to get through and give up.You need thousands of points to get the most basic rewards.Customer complaints are usually not forthcoming. They need to improve their Reward policies. Lots of invested time ...no rewards...yet.

September 25, 2018 by Jen from Canada

This is legit in that they will actually send you rewards, but it's NOT worth your time. Points accumulate very slowly. You have to use a pain-in-the-ass scanner on everything you buy, and you'll have to enter the price/quantity/coupons for every. single. item. I was going to quit right after joining when I saw how long points would take to accumulate, but I got an offer that I'd get a $15 gift card for every month I stick with the program. I got one $15 Visa gift card - in the mail because everything about this panel is 20 years outdated - and didn't get any after that because one week I went on vacation and apparently I missed checking in a couple times. (Which I'd debate since I've been adamant about checking in each week)

Just save your time. There are easier ways to earn a few points here and there and this dinosaur doesn't need to be part of your routine.

June 11, 2011 by James from United States

It might be worth it if they gave you@least $5.00 a week instead of points. I agree with the other reveiw not for busy people that why I quit them.

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 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.