Comments on: Nielsen Homescan: Looking For New Panel Members

By: Jodi

Jodi — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:49:48 +0000

Like several other people, I did this for about 2 yrs & just returned my scanner. It was definitely not worth my time. You have to scan EVERYTHING...gas, prescriptions, internet purchases, even your freebies!! Plus you have to enter the prices of everything, if you bought it on sale and/or if you used coupons. If you did use a coupon you have to enter the amount of the coupon. After 2 yrs of my time, I never won any of the sweepstakes they brag about & the only thing I had to show for it was enough points to get a $25 toaster oven.

By: Kathi

Kathi — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:31:09 +0000

I did this back in 2006 when I was a newly single mom and thought it would be a great way to earn prizes, like with the Harris Poll and Hi-Points. I tried it for like a month or two and ended up sending it back. I can scan the barcodes to my hearts content, but when I have to go through and manually enter the prices for 150 items on my shopping list, I don't think so. I don't know if I'm surprised or not to see nothing has changed.

By: tom (watkins products associate)

tom (watkins products associate) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:48:39 +0000

Thanks for the warnings ladies.

By: Stacy E

Stacy E — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 04:55:34 +0000

I was a member for a short time. I applied and next thing I knew I received the scanner via FedEx. They delivered it while I was on vacation and then proceeded to send harassing emails about how I hadn't forwarded any transmissions. I was still on vacation! I thought I would receive points based on the amount of dollars spent, but I received 150 points for each transmission. The items in the catalogue aren't worth the effort.

By: crowleychick

crowleychick — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 07:00:43 +0000

ditto! I did the exact same thing. I even told the gal "You've gotta be kidding me!" She was pretty hateful like she just couldn't understand why I wouldn't want to spend HOURS each week for a year to get, maybe, the cheesiest gift that I could probably get a DollarTree! DON'T BOTHER!

By: Velda Dedeaux

Velda Dedeaux — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 02:00:23 +0000

I was a member of this panel many years and when the scanner I had got destroyed in Hurricane Katrina they closed my account and didn't even allow me to redeem the points I'd accumulated prior to the hurricane.

By: Linda K

Linda K — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 22:16:52 +0000

I, too, thought this would be a fun thing to do. After rec'g the box and scanner and reading all of the information, I called them the SAME day and told them no way was I doing this. They were irritated that I did that, but honestly, had they disclosed up front how INCREDIBLY time consuming this was I would never had signed up. Don't do it----ever. Trust me.

By: J Lambrigger

J Lambrigger — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:25:08 +0000

The offer has expired.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:30:16 +0000

I hear you there, once I quit the panel and asked for a box with return label to return the scanner. I was literally harassed and threatend with a lawsuit if I did not return it quickly enough! I was waiting for the box they promised and after calling a second time it finally came.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:28:19 +0000

Our household were panel members for about 7 years! We also did the short lived media program where you had to wear a small pager like device. Any way it takes FOREVEr TO EARN POINTS!!! The surveys help but are usually so long and unintresting its not worth the time. In my 7 years I made enough to receive a Panini Maker and A digital meat thermometer that broke after about the 3rd use and a dust buster. The prizes are also pretty boring and they rarely change them up. I kept hoping and stcuk with it well past the time I should have.

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:03:07 +0000

I was a member for a while as well. My scanner quit transmitting. The great tech support people said I didn't have it properly installed - this was after using it faithfully for 6 months. While working with them to solve my problem, I received emails and postcards that seemed to imply I was holding their equipment hostage. After all that hassle and lack of appreciation, I definitely returned it. Too much dime for a nickle if you ask me!

By: Leigh

Leigh — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:00:01 +0000

My husband received a lot of positive feedback from people and was also lured into it by the prizes. BELIEVE ME, every NEGATIVE comment on this site is TRUE!!! We've been in this mess for a year and we're on our 2nd scanner. The 1st one was a total pieces of junk! We got so fed up with the transmissions not going through we almost quit. I'm still not sure why we didn't. Anyway, I'm hoping once we can buy something (if that day ever comes) we'll send it back and let the next sucker on the waiting list have their fun....NOT!!!

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:57:26 +0000

I just tried to sign up for this and it wouldn't let me because my internet was attached to my phone line... bummer. But from what I have read, it seems like a hassle I don't need...

By: Paula

Paula — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:14:04 +0000

I have been gettin emails for months... I think I am going to tell them no thanks before I get suckered in myself. Thanks for th einfo.

By: Maria

Maria — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:28:26 +0000

I am so glad i read this post. I was accepted today and I am calling back to cancel. Ladies thank you so much for posting your comments. I don't have time to waste.

By: Jan

Jan — Tue, 25 May 2010 19:03:18 +0000

I have been doing it over a year and am ready to hang up my hat. I just have to find the directions about sending it back. It sounds fun and all but its a pain in the butt. The prizes stink. Need like 9000 points for a dog toy. I have way better luck with coupons. Seriously, don't waste your time...

By: Christina

Christina — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:16:24 +0000

wow. I was super excited that my scanner is suppose to arrive today but after reading the comments I am a little disappointed!

I guess I will give it a try and see how it goes.

By: Charles E Burke

Charles E Burke — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:08:37 +0000

My wife and I tried this several years ago, and after the first month we looked at each other and we both had the same look in our eyes. We sent it back ! So time consuming. So much hassle. So many points needed. Not worth our time.
This was a part time job, without pay !

By: jenn

jenn — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:18:58 +0000

Great! I recently signed up & then quickly received an email that I was selected. I WAS excited before reading these comments! :( During the sign upo process, I think I recall that they said the weekly time it would be was 30 minutes... Sounds like it will take a lot more than that!

By: melisa steffen

melisa steffen — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:48:17 +0000

I have had the scanner now for three weeks and it is alot more time and work than they make it out to be. I really have not been able to keep up with every purchase. Also the number of points you get and the amount needed to redeem is so off. It seems to be like you would spend a year or more to get a 60 dollar item. Also to transmit you have to have a certain type of phone and line and I still have not been able to transmitt using the phone they sent just for this purpose. I have transmitted other data over my own phone and works fine but this just doesn't work. They send you surveys to complete for more points and they are worth almost three times the amount of a weekly transmital go figure.
So I definitely would not recommend this and I will be calling them next week to find out about returning it all.