National Consumer Panel Reviews and Features

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National Consumer Panel

6800 Jericho Turnpike Suite 102E, Syosset, NY  11791 US
Tel: 1-800-962-6700   Contact: [email protected]
Operated by: Nielsen and IRI

KEY FEATURES:

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PAYMENTS OFFERED

checkmarkAmazon gift cards checkmarkGoogle Play credits checkmarkPrepaid debit or credit cards checkmarkMovie vouchers checkmarkRetail e-vouchers checkmarkMerchandise

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HOW TO PARTICIPATE

checkmarkBarcode scanning checkmarkOnline surveys checkmarkMobile app

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REDEEMING REWARDS

Mobile app users need 5,000 points to redeem their first e-code reward.

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The National Consumer Panel is an established company backed by two research powers, NielsenIQ and IRI. The NCP is a "mini-USA", representing millions of Americans. Since 1987 (originally as Nielsen Homescan, then in 2010 as National Consumer Panel), the NCP has been gathering panel member's opinions and shopping data to help manufacturers and retailers make informed decisions on what products to develop, improve or sell in the market.

The NCP panel gives panelists the opportunity to earn rewards from a fun and simple process, simply by scanning barcodes of the items they buy every week! You could change the face of your favorite brands or improve your shopping experience by becoming a member.

Payment and Rewards

Sign Up for Your Spot

Being immediately accepted into the program is not guaranteed because acceptance is based upon if/when there is an opening or a need for specific household demographics, so availability does vary. To sign up for NCP, simply click the green 'join now' buttons on this page to apply for a position.

Rewards for Participating

Earn points for sending your shopping data each week and for answering surveys. NCPMobile participants can redeem their points towards gift cards including: AMC, Amazon, Apple, Delta, Fandango, Google Play, Groupon, Spotify, Uber as well as for Vanilla Visa cards.

Participants with hand-held scanners can access NCP's online gift catalog that contains a wide variety of name-brand merchandise including electronics, home appliances, sporting goods, toys and more!

Earn More Rewards

New NCP panel members earn reward points for registration and reporting their first shopping trip. In addition, panel members earn 250 reward points for birthdays, 1,000 bonus points on their 6-month anniversary and 1,000 bonus points on their 1-year anniversary (and each year after that). Other seasonal and ad-hoc promotions can earn panel members additional reward points depending on their participation.

Visit National Consumer Panel's website 

Participant Experience

Scan Your Purchases with the National Consumer Panel App

As a new member of NCP, you will receive access to NCPMobile, their exclusive mobile app for scanning and reporting your shopping trip details (available in iOS and Android). Use the app to scan the barcodes on your weekly purchases and earn rewards for your participation. You can also provide information on non-barcoded items you purchase (such as fruit and vegetables, baked goods, gas, prescriptions, etc.) using the app. You may be asked to provide additional information on a shopping trip, including the store you went to, if you used a club card, etc. Sharing this level of detail will help the product makers and retailers that are responsible for the products you love to purchase and is easily done so using the interface.

Earn Reward Points!

Points are largely earned by scanning your weekly purchases. You'll start by getting 150 points each week NCP receives your shopping data. The weekly amount of points increases the longer you are on the panel. With opportunities to earn additional points by answering surveys, special NCP promotions, specialty panels, etc., points can add up quickly. Gift offerings begin at 5,000 points.

Visit National Consumer Panel's website 

Community Features

Automatic Sweepstakes Entries

Regular participation in the program means automatic entries into NCP's sweepstakes that are held monthly and quarterly. Sweepstakes include:

  • $100 Monthly Sweepstakes (20 winners each month)
  • $500 Super Scanner Quarterly Sweepstakes (5 winners each quarter)
  • $5,000 Cash Giveaway Quarterly Sweepstakes (1 winner each quarter)

The Longer You're a Member, the More You'll Earn

The longer you are an active participant of NCP, the more points you will get credited to your account each time you participate. The program has been around for over a decade, so it's not uncommon for participants to be members for this long!

Special Member Perks

Being a member also entitles you to the NCPRewards+ program where you can get special discounts at AT&T (some users report receiving 25% off their phone bill), as well as receiving discounts with other major retailers.

Is National Consumer Panel Legit?

There's no reason to think that National Consumer Panel is anything but legitimate. It is not a scam, and it is run by NielsenIQ - a highly respected market research firm. Although people may have different experiences being a member of the panel, the NCP program is legitimate.


National Consumer Panel Reviews (103)

5 Star Reviews (37) 35.9
35.9
4 Star Reviews (7) 6.8
6.8
3 Star Reviews (7) 6.8
6.8
2 Star Reviews (8) 7.8
7.8
1 Star Reviews (44) 42.7
42.7

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Horrible!

November 22, 2018 by Angelina from United States

I was excited to get started when I received my scanner. I sat there for 2 hours or more each time scanning and adding in price etc. I NEVER made enough points. After a few months of not getting credited I took a break for a week and next thing I get is threats to return the scanner. I did and they said they never got it. I checked my credit report and they reported me before I had a chance to return the scanner within the allotted time frame. So in the garbage it went because once something is on your credit it stays there!!!! Horrible!

National Consumer Panel reply logo

National Consumer Panel responded to this review on November 23, 2018

Hello Angelina,

I am sorry to hear about your experience. We do not have access to negatively impact your credit score in any way. Our Collections department is purely internal and does not possess the necessary information to report an account to any of the Credit Bureaus.

We do not request for Panel Members to return equipment unless they have not been transmitting for several consecutive weeks. If you miss a week, we do send reminder emails or postcards to make sure you remember to transmit the following week.

We do require clarification as to the equipment's whereabouts. Was the equipment sent back or disposed of? Please send an email to [email protected] with this information, as well as your Panel Member ID and your full name. You can use the subject line: Attention Lead so that we can locate your email quickly.

Regards,

Michael
NCP
Waste of Time

October 28, 2018 by kat from United States

I joined NCP about year. They sent me a scanner, and said it was easy. I've scanned every purchase, with price, sale and coupon. Every day! Blahh... But I went to vacations and couldn't scan this time. Then I return home I saw an email, asking if I would return the scanner since I had not submitted anything. The NEXT DAY, I got a letter, saying the same thing, adding "You will be turned over to a collection agency if we do not receive the scanner within 10 days." I returned it the next morning.
so.. I spend my time and hadn't any rewards for my time and efforts
I will never trust NCP or their opinions again.

National Consumer Panel reply logo

National Consumer Panel responded to this review on October 29, 2018

Hi Kat,

We are sorry to hear about your situation. We are able to provide panelists with vacation points coverage, but we must be notified in order to do so. Panel members are able to access their points for redemption after the scanner has been received. Please contact us at your convenience to assist you with this.

Regards,

NCP
So NOT worth the time and effort! Plus, they lie.

August 9, 2018 by Laura from United States

I've been a member of the NCP for several years now. I've scanned every purchase, and I, up until recently thought I've been accruing all of these extra points, when it turns out I haven't been getting much of ANYTHING! Their gift catalog rewards are a total joke. They promised me a $10 Amazon gift card via email if I returned their scanning equipment on time once I started using their mobile app, which I did. After weeks of not receiving the gift card, I emailed them. They replied and said if I returned it on time I would have it - but to wait a couple weeks just in case there was an error on their end. Three months later... NO $10 gift card and absolutely NO follow-up from them whatsoever - despite repeated attempts! They can reply and say, "Contact us for help," again all they want to in hopes of looking good to the masses, but they really DO NOT deliver, and they most certainly DO NOT care!!! No matter how intrigued you may be, take it from me... Resist! You'll be MUCH happier with another program if you do intelligent research and choose wisely. The Nielsen name has been forever ruined for me, and they have NO ONE TO BLAME BUT THEMSELVES! :( :( :'( !!!

National Consumer Panel reply logo

National Consumer Panel responded to this review on August 14, 2018

Hello Laura,

I am sorry to hear you never received the $10 Amazon E-Code. Please note, we offer a variety of promotions that offer incentives but these promotions do have time constraints. I would be happy to look into why you never received the incentive for returning the equipment when you swapped to our Mobile App. In order to do so, I will need you to provide me with your account information. Please send an email to [email protected] containing either your Panel Member ID or your Full Name, Address, and Phone Number. To make sure we resolve this matter as quickly as possible, please include in the Subject line, “Attention Michael P.” I hope to hear from you soon and thank you for your patience in regards to this issue.

Regards,

Michael P.
NCP
Terrible

July 26, 2018 by Carla from United States

These people sent me a scanner right at the time my husband was in ICU....they didn’t care about the timing. Treated me like a thief and hounded and threatened me for two weeks. Was UNBELIEVABLE. I will never trust NCP or their opinions again. It’s bogus and I can’t believe the threats they made. I haven’t even been home for 3 weeks, so the damn scanner is just sitting there and they have threatened me with a collection agency over not using it yet. Crazy....DONT DO THIS...Definitely not good people. Their scanner was returned as soon as I got home. Still can’t believe it

National Consumer Panel reply logo

National Consumer Panel responded to this review on August 13, 2018

Hello Carla,

We are sorry to hear about your experience returning the equipment. In the event that equipment has not been used for a significant amount of time, we do ask that the equipment be returned back so that other households waiting can participate. We apologize if you found the tone of the messages sent either rude or offensive. It was not our intention to frustrate you, especially considering your husband’s medical situation. As our representative stated when you emailed our Support Team, we have notified the appropriate department that the equipment has since been shipped back. Once again, our sincere apologies for the difficulties you experienced and we wish your husband a speedy recovery.

Regards,

Michael
NCP
Nightmare to deal with

October 8, 2017 by Audra from United States

I didn't get my equipment before they wanted it back. I called three times in this window to keep the account active. Then the equipment didn't transmit what it was supposed to but managed to use over 60gb of my internet which put me over the cap. They keep saying they will send my account into collections but don't really send a shipping label to return anything. I am really just hoping the collections people are better than them.