The AC Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel is currently seeking additional panelists. You can learn more about the program and apply here.
The Nielsen Company provides marketing information worldwide; you may already be familiar with their TV rating system. My husband and I have been panelists for several years now, and I can personally vouch that this offer is legitimate. My sister and a friend are also on the panel.
So why would you want to join?
- You want to make your consumer opinions known.
- You don’t mind doing a little work to get a little reward.Â
- Enrollment is not always open and might only stay open for a limited time. (In fact, when we signed up years ago we were part of a randomly selected sample and asked to join by mail!).
What would you need to do as a panelist?
- Shop as you normally do. When you return home, scan your purchases (using a handheld scanner provided by Nielsen) and purchase total. Transmit the information once each week.Â
- You’ll accumulate gift points for scanning weekly, which can be used toward the name-brand merchandise in their gift catalog. (We cashed in our collected points for a VCR/DVD player earlier this year!)
 You can read more at the link above. If you have any questions, feel free to ask by posting a comment below – I’d be happy to help!
You can also apply to become a member of the Nielsen Digital Voice Panel, which tracks your online habits and analyzes the data they’ve collected from all panelists to determine trends. It requires no effort on your part, and you can earn entries into monthly cash sweepstakes.
Amanda says
I applied and they don’t have any scanners for my area. It directed me to the main site to be on a waiting list but I don’t see where to sign up. If you know any more information or could pass on my email I’d be grateful.
(I tried emailing but they want my ID number that I don’t have.)
I’m doing the SAHM thing, really watching my budget, coupon’ing, and shop gluten-free so I think this would be something cool to do.
Jolyn says
The best I can tell you is to try again in a week or two – openings come and go depending on zip code. You might want to see if you can email with a number like “11111111” as your panelist number.
laura says
I filled out all the info and they said I already signed up, which i did not.
Becky says
I signed up for this last year, got approved and after several months got a scanner. I checked the rate of earning points, and the rewards available and determined that it wasn’t worth my time. Even if I went through several years to get to a high earning level (the longer you’re with them, the more points you get a month), it would still take several years (unless I lucked out and won a drawing) to earn anything halfway decent. I can get decent prizes from mycokerewards quicker.
Not only do you have to scan in everything (which isn’t too time consuming, in and of itself), but you have to enter in if you used a coupon, if that coupon doubled, etc. The coupon info you have to enter in manually. With all the trips I make to various places a week, and all the couposn I used, it was taking up way too much time.
If you have a good deal of time on your hands, it may be worth it. But on the comment threads of other blogs when they mention this I’ve heard that they are super-posessive, if you don’t scan in anything for a couple of weeks and forgot to let them know you won’t be able to scan they send nasty letters about if you’re not going to participate to get them their equipment or they’ll sue. One lady posted that they contacted her because they didn’t think she was entering in all her purchases, se was buying for just herself and didn’t get that much stuff.
Just wanted to give you guys the heads up on this. Maybe just google to see if you can find other’s comments about this program, so you know what to expect from those who use it and get a better idea of all of waht is involved. Some people do it and enjoy it, but for many (including myself) I’d rather spend my time with my family.
Becky
Jolyn says
Good points, Becky! We were on the panel for the past 10 years and only recently dropped out b/c of the time I spend blogging. Most stores (like Meijer), you won’t have to enter prices for, only whether you used a coupon and its value. Once I got used to how the scanner operated, I could move pretty quickly thru it.
They do want to you to submit your information once a week and they will remind you if you’ve missed 2 weeks in a row, but I never received a threatening letter. I had a positive experience with AC Nielsen and wouldn’t recommend them otherwise. But, you’re right, you’ll need to decide individually whether it’s worth your time and effort.
Pam says
I agree with Becky. Way too time consuming for the long term benefit. My time is much better spent in other areas.