This opportunity only comes around every few months it seems (and the last time I posted on this was August) so I’m happy to report it’s back! Many of you have had good experiences with Nielson Home Scanning, and I’ve copied and pasted some comments from readers below:
What is Nielson Home Scanning?
I first saw word of this program – Nielson Homescan – over at MoneySavingMom, and the vast number of comments her post has attracted asking readers about the opinions is quite telling.
So here’s what the Nielson Homescan is: The way it works is that if you are accepted to the program they send you a mini scanner that you use on all your purchases (scanning their bar codes) every week. By sending in the information to Nielson weekly, you receive points that can be redeemed for prizes, electronics, etc. (I can’t find a copy of this catalogue online to see all the prizes that are available – does anyone have one?)
From the reviews of others, it sounds like it can be profitable (there are great prizes) but can also be time-consuming. So it might be something to try and see if it works out for you!
Here are what some of you are saying:
I have done Homescan for several years now – after you get it down it doesn’t take too much time at all. The catalog is under rewards tab, select redeem in highlighted area middle of page and then the new page will have the catalog link! I don’t know if you have to be a member to get there or not? I have received rewards of a sewing machine, troybilt blower/vacuum and other smaller items. You need to download weekly to get your points and then bonuses and they also have several surveys that earn you points. Note – when I signed up to do Homescan it took several months before I was selected to be a member!! So be patient – Ruby
I used to do this and it was not that bad for time, I did it as I unloaded my grocery bags. The kids thought it was fun to make the scanner beep and often helped without being asked. The points added up fairly quick and they are a great company with excellent customer service in my experience. The only reason I stopped was that we no longer use a landline our phone and that was how they transmitted – I am not sure if other options are offered now. – Karyn
Read all the good and bad reviews here.
Try the Nielson Home Scanning Work at Home Opportunity here.
Make sure to tell me what you think!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I had never heard of this before, but I just filled out the application. It said my name was going on the waiting list and I would be sent a scanner as soon as a spot opened up for a household like mine.
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Does anyone know the address of this company? I wanted to check it out with the Better Business Bureau.
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Claire Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Let me google it;)
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I think calling this a work from home opportunity is a bit farfetched. You don’t make real money doing it. I have recently begun scanning my purchases and it looks to me like it will take 6 months to get a prize, if not longer. (I think longer.)
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I tried this for a few months. It is very tedious and, of course, there’s a learning curve until you get use to the system. Here are the cons as I saw them: Every item you purchase gets scanned. If you shop at a store like Publix, the prices are in the scanner, so you just scan and then you must enter if you used a coupon (or sale price) and the value. Produce that does not have a bar code must be entered separately. Now, when you shop at a store that doesn’t have prices in the scanner, like Wal-Mart, you must scan and then enter the price and the coupon info mentioned above. When you have bags of groceries, this is time consuming. Imagine, you bring your bags of groceries in from the car, you must scan each item, check you receipt to see what price you paid and then try to remember the value of the coupon you used if you used multiple coupons on your shopping trip, before you can start to put your groceries away. This is not for people with busy lives.
The company is very professional and upstanding. Points are awarded quickly and generously, however, it takes a lot of points to get anything. After about 4 months, I think I had 10,000 points and that got me a nightlight. (You also earn points by completing quick surveys.) There was no cash payment that I know of.
You do not need a land line phone, but can upload your data through your computer with a high speed internet connection. If you have lots of time, this might work for you.
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This company has recently changed its name to:
National Consumer Panel
Here is the address:
6800 Jericho Turnpike
Suite 100E
Syosset, New York
11791-4401
I have been a member since September of 2005.
I currently have 171,475 points and I have never cashed in any points since I joined. It is time consuming scanning everything, especially when I go to Walmart.
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Claire Reply:
January 16th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Thanks so much for that information Julia!
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We do this as a family event. We just started, but my dad did it for years and years and got many nice prizes…My aunt is actually on the Neilsen Ratings Panel for the Tv shows….We work together as a team to do this…My hubby scans the items as he unpacks them and I put them away….it just becomes part of the routine…yes..patience is necessary for this to pay off..but to earn prizes for just scanning what you purchase is a SUPER DEAL!!
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I signed up a couple of months ago and just received an e-mail letting me know my scanner had shipped. I’m going to give this a try and see how it goes. Thanks!!
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Been a member for about a year now. It’s fun and easy. After you sign up you will receive a hand held scanner. What ever you buy just scan it. Once a week you will hook it up to your computer via usb and zap the info. You earn points for scanning and doing online surverys. When you have enough points to “buy” what you want, just order it! It really is that easy! Start now and you could have something nice in time for the holidays. Best.
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