Anyone ever done ACNielsen/Homescan Consumer Panel?

[karkli]

Anyone else here on the ACNielsen Homescan consumer panel?

I've been doing it for about fifteen months. I don't really know if it's worth it...but for some reason I find it fun anyway.

Basically, they send you a scanner and ask you scan all of your household purchases. (Groceries, gas, household goods, restaurant delivery/take-out, etc.) There are also several surveys available on their website each month.

Each time you upload your scans or complete a survey, you receive points which can be redeemed for merchandise.

Like I said, I've been doing this for about fifteen months...and I still have yet to redeem for anything. (For the record, I could have probably gotten several items by now, but I'm hording my points. LOL) Is it worth it? Eh...maybe not. But I'm saving up my points to get something big rather than cashing them in every time I have enough for a small item.

Anyone else do this? Do you like it? How long have you been doing it and what kind of rewards have you cashed in for?

[rockhound24]

I do it, I have been doing it for about 2 years. I have about 60,000 points now, and I'm hoarding it too! I'm not sure if it is worth it either, but I'm convinced that I'm going to win the new car some day. lol

[Nicole]

I did it for awhile, but I ended up returning it. I just didn't feel like it was worth the time I had to invest in it. If you give up on it be sure to return it right away... those people turn evil and turn you over to a collection agency... They did it to me because I told them I was sending it back and forgot ...it was in the back seat and had slid under the seat so I didn't see it... three weeks later they went crazy with the collection phone calls!

[beth119]

how do you sign up for this?

[lfrh]

I finally got an email saying I was on the waiting list, but have not received a scanner. I am curious if it is beneficial.

[karkli]

Originally Posted by beth119 how do you sign up for this?

Here's a link:

(ETA: Got a warning so I'm removing this link until I can get clarification as to whether or not it's acceptable. )

HTH

[karkli]

Originally Posted by rockhound24 I do it, I have been doing it for about 2 years. I have about 60,000 points now, and I'm hoarding it too! I'm not sure if it is worth it either, but I'm convinced that I'm going to win the new car some day. lol

LOL. Yeah, I would love to win the sweepstakes where you can choose any ten items out of the gift catalog. How cool would that be?

[Shooglenifty]

We have the scanner. Have been members for years. It's pretty easy to use, doesn't take a terribly long amount of time, and some stores you don't even have to enter the prices. It IS a bit more difficult for those of us who use a ton of coupons, because you enter those as well, so you kind of have to remember which coupons are for which products. But you're keeping all your receipts anyway, and tracking prices, so it can also be a tool in that regard.

We are also MVP members, another aspect of the program, where you wear a little pager-sized thing which records what you watch and listen to (via transmission, not like a recorder). You also get points for that.

Basically it's like anything else - you earn points, slowly, and they build up eventually to cash in on something. We're of the mindset to just go till the highest level of points and not bother with anything else. My husband loves to scan stuff, at home or at the store! so this is right up his alley. I might not have stuck with it otherwise.
Oh, and if you're disciplined and TRANSMIT every week (hook it to the computer and hit send), you will be entered to win a car at the end of the year. We have yet to transmit every week!! lol.

The program we've reaped the most benefit from is MyPoints, and we use the CC exclusively to get points in addition to using the site as a portal and clicking on the emails. We've done LOTS of shopping with those GCs!

[lynvet5]

Is it worth it to join? I got an application about 1yr ago but didn't sign up. Should I try to join or are the rewards not worth it?

[neodymm]

Yeah, we are scanners, too. I have also debated whether it is worth the time to scan everything. It does take longer if you use a lot of coupons. I don't think I always remember the amount of every coupon I used for every item...especially when I have a SWM receipt a mile long! We have had a few problems with our scanner, they sent us new USB cords and DH spent some time on the phone w/ tech support. About 2 weeks ago the scanner froze and we couldn't get it to transmit. Had to call and they told us how to reset the scanner...but lost all my scans for the week. The only store in my area that you don't have to enter prices for is Winn-Dixie and we don't shop there much.

I am not sure how long we have been a member, I think it's less than 1 year or about that. We only have 25,850 points. But, I often forget to do the surveys and we sometimes forget to transmit every week. I am a point hoarder, too. But, haven't found many things that I want. I thought about quitting after I have enough points for the Step2® Naturally Playful® Sand and Water Table, but that's 52,000 points! I'll probably just buy it before I get that much or DD will be too old for it!

Though it only takes me about an extra 15 minutes to scan everything from a large shopping trip, I am wondering if I could better spend that time on something else. Honestly not sure how much longer I will do it.