National Consumer Panel is a joint venture between Nielsen and IRi – two of the leading market research companies in the USA. So there are some legit and reputable companies behind it, and it has been around for around 30 years so it is a legit panel.
So you do not have to worry about that part. But this does not mean it will be a good panel for you to join, as it is very different from most survey sites where you can get paid to give feedback and share your opinions.
So, let's go over what opportunities you have as a member of National Consumer Panel.
Option 1 – Scan When You Shop
The main thing National Consumer Panel does is collect data about shopping habits. This is quite similar to what NielsenIQ Homescan Panel does if you know that panel.
This data is used to help manufacturers improve their products and services. So to get as much data as possible, you will as a member be given a scanner you can use to scan all purchases when you go shopping. It can be a handheld scanner, or you can use their mobile app. From the feedback I have seen from other members, there can sometimes be technical problems with the scanner.
Also, you are responsible for the equipment, so if you, at some point, do not want to be a member anymore, you have to make sure to return the scanner.
The app, therefore, seems like the obvious choice to me. You can start using it sooner and you do not have responsibility for any equipment and do not have to carry a scanner around when you go shopping.
But anyway, once you have found the scanner method you want to use, you will use the scanner to scan the barcodes on all the products you buy during a shopping trip.
You also need to provide information about products that do not have barcodes like, for example, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and more. In addition to this, you need to give information about which shop you went to if you have shopped online, and some more general information.
All this data will once per week be sent to the National Consumer Panel and be used for market research. The data is valuable info for manufacturers and retailers, and they will use it to improve, and therefore they are willing to pay for it.
This is the reason you can get rewards for participating and doing the activity. This is the main way to use National Consumer Panel, and you have to use this option as a member. If you do not scan for a little while, they will start contacting you to ask if you still want to be a member.
That's why you cannot be inactive for too long if you want to keep being a member.
Option 2 – Surveys and Special Studies
As a member of the National Consumer Panel, you are also encouraged to take part in surveys. This is a way for the panel to get more data and ask follow-up questions about your shopping habits and a way for you to give feedback. You will also earn rewards by participating in these.
I have not been able to find any information about how many points you get for the surveys. But it usually depends on the length of the survey.
But in general, you should not expect to earn big money by taking the surveys on National Consumer Panel but mostly take them if you would like to have your opinion heard. There will, at times, also be special studies you might be invited to participate in that can earn you extra rewards.
Option 3 – Sweepstakes
A good thing about National Consumer Panel is that it offers sweepstakes with high rewards. When you participate regularly on the platform, you will get entries into these sweepstakes. They are held weekly, monthly, qúarterly, and yearly. They have some really great prizes in these sweepstakes. The biggest reward is in the quarterly sweepstakes where one winner gets $5,000. This used to be $20,000, so they have lowered it quite a lot since I first tested it, but it is still a very big reward, so if you are lucky, it can be very lucrative to be a member.
The other rewards range from $25-$500 and also include products you can win. But, of course, you have to be lucky to get any of these.
Option 4 – Membership Perks
As a panel member of National Consumer Panel, you sometimes get access to special discounts from the panel's partners. They, for example, offer discounts for AT&T Wireless Plans and Accessories.
It is not worth joining the panel just for this, but as a bonus, it can give some good savings at times.