How to Join the AC Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel

You have likely heard of ACNielsen before. They are a research company that tracks popular television shows that people watch and the products that people buy. You may even be participating in an ACNielsen program. The Homescan Consumer Panel is one of the most popular customer shopping surveys around.

There are thousands of individuals who participate in the Homescan program. In fact there are so many people interested in joining the consumer panel that there is usually a waiting list to participate in the program. When I joined the Homescan Consumer Panel it took me about nine months from when I first signed up for the program until I received the packet to start participating. Singing up for the program online is a fairly simple process. To participate in the Homescan Consumer Panel individuals must be at least eighteen years old. If you are interested in joining the program you can do so by visiting www.homescan.com. To register online you will have to enter in your contact information including full name, address, email address, and phone number.

It is possible that you may get lucky and be accepted into the program sooner than I did, but if this does not occur you will regularly receive update notices from ACNielsen. They sent me an update letter every few months basically just to let me know that they did not forget about me and that I was still on the waiting list. I was not contacted when I was all set for the program I just received all of the scanning equipment and instructions in the mail. The scanner comes with a USB cable that connects to a computer and a battery charger also comes with the scanner.

Since there are a number of different retails stores all around the country panel members will have to have their local store list downloaded to their scanner. This process is done when most panel members register their scanner and install the Homescan computer software program. This process is really easy because installation instructions are given step by step. Once you have the program installed on your computer you can begin reading the instruction manuals. The scanner system is pretty self-explanatory; however, panel members are still encouraged to read the scanning instructions.

The Homescan Consumer Panel requires that panel members scan merchandise that they purchase. This merchandise can come from a wide variety of store types including a traditional storefront location, an online store, or a mail-order catalog. Individuals are encouraged to scan all items that they purchased. These items can be food, cigarettes, clothing, furniture, videogames, and just about everything in between. As soon as panel members get used to scanning their products they can have a car full of groceries scanned in only a few minutes.

One of the first questions that is asked about the Homescan Consumer Panel is how much panel members make. Panel members are not actually paid for participating in the program. Every week that a panel members scans at least one purchase they will get a set amount of points. These points can be used to redeem great merchandise. The merchandise available includes video gaming systems, toys, jewelry, home products, and more. By taking surveys panel members can earn additional points and are often entered in contests. Contests are regularly held and past giveaways have included merchandise listed in the points booklet, a cruise, money, and a new car.

Many individuals do not want to participate in the Homescan Consumer Panel because they are not being paid for participating, but it is still a fun program that many people across America wish to participate in. In addition to being able to win great prizes it is also a good feeling knowing that your opinion really does matter to someone out there.

Reference:

• www.homescan.com