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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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!

February 26, 2012 by Lisa from United States

This is the same company and makes and breaks television shows. They are a legitimate and honest company. This is a job. This is an important job. If you don't want to take the time to do, fine. But those of us that do get compensated fairly well. I've gotten LOTS of items over the three or four years I've been with them. And once, because the items was going to be slow arriving, they sent another item in it's place that was worth three times the amount. Then they sent the original item, too, a week later! Great company.

September 17, 2010 by Lisa from United States

I have been a panel member for over 20 YEARS! I love them. I have gotten so many household things as rewards. I have 7 Lladros figurines from them as well. I've gotten toasters, sandwich maker, blender, no cash but things I hate paying for.20 YEARS! I know what I'm talking about!

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 Jana from United States

Yes, it is sometimes a pain to scan and enter prices, but I do feel valued by this company. I also sometimes get random little gifts from them in the mail just as a "thank you." The rewards catalog is full of cool stuff, and if you send in your scanner info every week, the points rack up pretty quickly.