AC Nielsen Home Scan Panel Sign up

[mmm40]

I have heard conflicting reports about this program. What is consistent is that it is a difficult project to get into. If you are accepted you are placed on a waiting list. Then you wait and wait and wait. For a very long time. What they do, is provide you with a scanner and you scan your groceries after buying them. You then send the information to the company via the scanner. Apparently, you are given points. This is where the conflicting stories come in. I have heard people say it takes a long time to scan their groceries. Some say it doesn't take long at all. I have heard some say the points they give are minimal and the prizes require a lot of points. The prizes stink according to some people. Some people say they give lots of points and the prizes are good. Eh, gives me a headache. This is why I only report the actual facts of what has transpired with any given company. Everyone has their own ideas of good, bad, too much work, too little work, good prizes, bad prizes. Lets just stick to the facts when reviewing sites for each other. I recommend not listening to personal opinions, other than your own. I am on the list for this program. Have been for awhile. Just last week I received a survey from them. They wanted to know how many trips to the store I made in a week. How many items I bought. How much I spent. What stores I shopped at. I am hoping this was a survey to search for a panelist in my area and I get in. My area isn't in hot demand by research companies. It's too rural. Only the meth manufacturers care about rural MO.......just kidding.......sort of. If something comes of it I will report the facts. Here's the info. Decide for yourself whether you want to enroll.

AC Nielsen Home Scan Panel Sign up


The Homescan Consumer Panel is a "mini-USA" and represents all types of Americans. As a member, we’ll send you a hand-held scanner that’s yours as long as you’re an actively participating panel member. Every time you or members of your household shop, you’ll use the scanner to scan the UPC barcodes on your purchases. By scanning, you’ll tell us about your purchases in all types of stores. And then, once a week, using your hand-held scanner, you’ll transmit this information to us free of charge. Not only will you help manufacturers and retailers decide what to put on store shelves, you’ll earn valuable gift points, which are redeemable for electronic equipment, household items, jewelry, toys and much more.

TnDIMPLES FOUND Us A GOOD LINK TO THE SIGN UP PAGE!! PLEASE THANK HER!

http://www.homescansignup.com/start.asp?id=70

[TnDimples]

the link is to a jpg picture......if i take it back to the .com its wants a control number and there is no where to actually sign up.

EDIT: I found a link to sign up at http://www.homescansignup.com/start.asp?id=70

I got signed up.......I'm on waiting list.

[elena_398]

I'll look into it. Thanks

[magickallight]

My mom belongs to this and has to scan EVERYTHINH she buys and list the prices, stores, etc. She enjoys it - but for me it would be a big pain in the REAR! I buy WAY yoo much and when I get through with a 2 week grocery shopping adventure I am WAY too tired to try to scan and list prices for hundreds of items! Might be good for a single person to get into - but if you have a family and buy a lot - it is just NOT worth it! (The points she gets for doing all this work hardly add up to anything... after doing it for 2 years she got to cash in for a cordless phone... NOT for Me!)

[knb080998]

I have been a member of this for several months and my points have been adding up pretty quick. You can earn extra points by taking surveys that they send you the link to or they will post the link in your account and you access it from there. As for the scanning, I find it pretty easy. All you have to do is follow your register receipt. Some stores, like Food Lion you don't have to enter the prices, just scan.

[hobbledegaagaa]

I think I filled this out. how do Iknow if I am accepted?

[mmm40]

Originally Posted by TnDimples

the link is to a jpg picture......if i take it back to the .com its wants a control number and there is no where to actually sign up.

EDIT: I found a link to sign up at http://www.homescansignup.com/start.asp?id=70

I got signed up.......I'm on waiting list.

Thank you again TN!!!! What am I doing wrong? When I get to the homepage I click on properties and there in the box with other stuff is the addy. Now, I thought it was the addy to the homepage in there.....but obviously it isn't.
Do you know what I am doing wrong? And Again, Thank you for fixing my mistake!

[Gloey]

I signed up, got my scanner in the mail and sent it back after three weeks. This was way to much work, have to scan the groceries after you take them out, put prices in, what a PITA.

[mmm40]

Originally Posted by Gloey

I signed up, got my scanner in the mail and sent it back after three weeks. This was way to much work, have to scan the groceries after you take them out, put prices in, what a PITA.

What was there compensation system Gloey? Could you give us more specific straight forward details of the program? You don't have to. Only if you feel like it. Just wondering if you felt like it, if you could give us, a factual blow by blow and possibly save some of us a headache.

[TnDimples]

Originally Posted by mmm40

Thank you again TN!!!! What am I doing wrong? When I get to the homepage I click on properties and there in the box with other stuff is the addy. Now, I thought it was the addy to the homepage in there.....but obviously it isn't.
Do you know what I am doing wrong? And Again, Thank you for fixing my mistake!

actually i guess your right in most cases that is the correct url but for some reason in some cases its not........I always just highlight the address in the address bar and right click and copy and paste.....hope that helps.

[TnDimples]

Originally Posted by Gloey

I signed up, got my scanner in the mail and sent it back after three weeks. This was way to much work, have to scan the groceries after you take them out, put prices in, what a PITA.

Yeah Gloey SPILL YOUR GUTS

[mom04]

I was picked for this, must of signed up for it and forgot..LOl..When I got the info in the mail, I thought about it and decided not to do it. It was probably on one of "those " days..ugh...I really need to take time throughout the day for a 5 minute breather !!!

[mmm40]

Originally Posted by TnDimples

actually i guess your right in most cases that is the correct url but for some reason in some cases its not........I always just highlight the address in the address bar and right click and copy and paste.....hope that helps.

Yeah, 30 seconds after I posted this I realized that, duh...slow sometimes. I am back on my insomnia streak. That's why I am holding off posting anything. hehe. Don't want to make people run around in circles.

[iluvdeals]

Thanks, I signed up and am on the waiting list.

[hannahs_momma]

Signed up and on the waiting list!

[mollannie]

I got my scanner about 3 months ago and frequently forget to use it. Nielsen sent me a reminder notice asking why I don't use it more. Now, I remember to scan as soon as I come home before I put the items away. I find the major pain is transmitting the data. It doesn't seem to work on a cordless phone, only on a phone with a cord that has a mouth piece that you can press against. Sometimes it takes a few times for get the "OK" transmission message.

It really doesn't take that long (depending on the # of items you have). I haven't really looked into the prizes but I'm sure you need a ton of points to get something decent.

[Gloey]

Originally Posted by TnDimples

Yeah Gloey SPILL YOUR GUTS

Sorry I'm late in responding guys. Well, I got the system, downloaded the software and was ready to go. Then I started inputting the groceries and found that they were asking for prices in addition to scans. Well, I wasn't going to sit there and go through my grocery list and search for prices. So, I just said, forget it and sent the darn thing back.

[mmm40]

I just got the call. They will be shipping my scanner with a welcome catalog and reward catalog within 2 - 4 weeks. I will post all the details when it arrives.

[Gloey]

Originally Posted by mmm40

I just got the call. They will be shipping my scanner with a welcome catalog and reward catalog within 2 - 4 weeks. I will post all the details when it arrives.

I'm anxious to see how long before you tire of it!

[mmm40]

Originally Posted by Gloey

I'm anxious to see how long before you tire of it!

[mstacks]

I've been on the program for a couple years now. I like it.

Yes, the scanning was a PITA when I'd come in with a whole load of groceries then sit down and try to scan and price each and every item. More than once I wanted to throw the thing at somebody. LOL. But then I finally started taking the scanner to the store with me! Now I scan and price right there as the things go into the basket! That way all I have to do is enter the total when I'm through checking out, and I'm ready to go to the next store. Saves a heck of a lot of my sanity! LOL!

Entering prices for stores like WalMat is needed because even among stores the price of an item can vary. But with other stores like Kroger, where the price is consistent throughout the chain for the week, you don't have to enter prices, you just scan the item.

"Points"? Well, as was mentioned earlier by somebody, that's a subjective thing. At first the points don't accumulate very fast, but the longer you are with the program the more each weekly transmittal is worth. i.e. if you've been on the panel less than 6 months you get 150 points for each week you transmit...but between 6mo and a year you get 200 points for that same transmittal, and at 1 to 2 years it's 225 points, etc. A friend has been on the panel for over 6 years and she gets 325 points every week she transmits!

"Prizes"? Well, again that's subjective. If I had to put "dollar values" to the prizes....well, has anyone seen the Petmate Paw Print melamine pet bowl? I bought one for $10 in a local store recently. It's 9,000 points as a redemption. A Toastmaster Hot Air PopCorn popper was $18.95 in a store here, lists as 15,000 points. Hamilton Beach 12 speed Stay or Go Blender runs about $30 locally, lists as 35,000 points. Of course, if you have the patience to reallllllly accumulate your points before redeeming them, there are items like an Audiovox 7" Portable DVD Player for 138,000 points and even a Samsung Dynaflat 20" TV for 146,000 points or a pair of Bose 151 SE Environmental Speakers for 158,000 points. (you can probably look up the price of that last one on the Bose website! ;-)

Mollannie, have you thought about calling customer service and requesting a different scanner? Transmitting weekly isn't a problem for me. I just plug my scanner in to it's cord that is attached to a USB port on my computer. I click on the icon on my computer screen, set the scanner to "transmit", plug it in, hit enter....and it does the rest. Within seconds I've got a "transmission sucessful" message on the scanner, and I unplug the scanner and stick it back on it's charger right along side my cell phone. I'd probably go nuts too if I had to use my one hard wired phone to do something like you're doing.

All in all, I'm happy with the program.

Any other questions, I'll be glad to answer if I can. :=)

[mollannie]

Thanks Mstacks - will contact Nielsen regarding a new scanner. It would save a lot of time (and not to mention headaches)

[pittsburgh24]

I have belonged to this program since last August. I also found it easier to take the scanner with me when I grocery shop too. The only grocery store here that I have to enter prices for is Aldi's. I use 3 other grocery stores (yes I do tend to follow the sales) and no prices need to be entered. My biggest chore for this is remembering what coupons I used and for how much (I use lots of coupons and make multiple purchases if there is a good sale). I transmit through my USB port also.

I did belong to a program many years ago where everything was transmitted over the phone line - I didn't last long in that one LOL.

I have about 20,000 points right now (would have more but I had computer issues for awhile). I haven't ordered anything yet from their catalog but my plan was to save the points and use them for gifts at Christmas. They also send you little gifts - pen, magnetic clip, etc. on 1 month, 3 month, etc. anniversaries too.

The scanner doesn't work with a laptop so you usually need to use a desktop computer and it doesn't work with Macs, which was my problem when I got a new computer.

[kdaven]

I too belong to this. I never thought of taking the scanner with me. What a great IDEA!! Yes it is a pain to scan and put in the price after a huge grocery haul!! ( I grocery shop 2 weeks as a time) Now taking the scanner with me is going to make sooooo much more sense. You guys are great!!

[mmm40]

Originally Posted by Gloey

I'm anxious to see how long before you tire of it!

Okay Gloey, start your timer. I just got my scanner package. Lets see how long it takes before I ship mine back.


Time to place your bets GottaDealers. What day will I return the scanner because I get sick of it?

[mcmichael142]

Hi! I have been a member of the homescan panel since just before christmas and I have really enjoyed it. My points have been adding up fast. I had a few problems at first getting it set up, but I called tech support and they fixed me up real quick....BTW...There tech support or whoever you would call them...are very nice and will help you with any problems or questions you have. when I scan my food and stuff from the grocery store I don't have to input any prices, you just scan all your stuff and tell them if you used a coupon or if the item was on sale and then when you are done you enter the total amount spent at the store. It's ok if you forgot to scan something, they aren't that picky. It only takes a few minutes to scan....only about 5 or 6 minutes for me and I have a family of 5 so I buy alot of stuff. The scanner will save your purchases each time you record them and you only Transmit over the internet with a USB cable once every week. You will get pts one time each week for transmitting.

You will also get points for surveys you take...I atleast one survey a week. they will also send surveys to you depending on what you had scanned, so I suggest scanning EVERYTHING with a barcode. They are usually short surveys.

Every time you scan you are entered into drawings as well...there are weekly,monthly and yearly drawings. These drawings are for money and prizes.

When you first start out, you will get a set amount of points for each transmission....but the longer you are with them the more points they pay. Each anniversary your points increase.

They send a huge catalog with the products you can claim with your points. the items aren't bad...but of course, the more you let your points gain...the better the item. They are mostly name brand items.

oh...and my favorite part of all.....They send you little gifts for participation...I have gotten 6 gifts so far for my monthly anniversarys, and I wasn't even expecting them. I guess that's why I like it. Nothing like getting gifts in the mail that you didn't know were coming. There small gifts...but the kids like them.
examples of the free gifts I received so far are:

Keychain
pocket radio with headphones
Nice coffee mug for the car
magnets




I'm sorry this was so long, but I wanted to give you some good info. I'm sure I missed something. If anyone has any questions, just pm me and try and help.

Thanks for letting me Blab on and on,

[mstacks]

Pittsburgh24, what do you mean the scanner doesn't work with laptops? I'm transmitting using one. The Homescan transmitter program doesn't care what "kind" of machine it's on, as long as the software d/l's and runs on the machine and the cord connects to the usb port (or pci port if necessary instead). (dunno about Mac's, never used 'em LOL) I did have a couple of false starts d/ling the program ontoo here, but once I erased everything I'd put on before and started totally fresh d/ling the program I had no problems. And it's never given me any problems transmitting. You might want to check with homescan's Customer Service for a little tech support. I know I've used both desktops and laptops, and my friend in the program 6 years has had nothing but laptops/notebooks that whole time.

[Gloey]

Originally Posted by mmm40

Okay Gloey, start your timer. I just got my scanner package. Lets see how long it takes before I ship mine back.


Time to place your bets GottaDealers. What day will I return the scanner because I get sick of it?

I give you three weeks. Lets say July 5!

[mstacks]

Naaaa. You're rushing her decision, Gloey. At least trust her to get past the holiday with it. She sounds like she'd give it a good try, say a couple of months, before she got too exasperated. I'd go for the middle of August, when everything's so crazy buying for the start of school. That's when I nearly sent mine back cause I was forgetting to scan so much. But I just trudged on my haphazzard way, scanning when I remembered and not worrying about it when I didn't. That was a couple years ago, and I'm still at it.

[ryka]

I got the call today and I should have mine in 2 -3 weeks.