I am a part of this panel and I have received alot of free stuff and awards from time to time. It all depends on how much you want to put into it. It's alot of fun in my opinion and the company is legit. It's kind of like BzzAgent only..well..different! LOL Ther eis too much for me to try and explain here so just check out their page that explains it.
However, before you do decide, you will need to provide a working phone number and accept their call. The scanners are expensive and they will not mail it out if they cannot contact you to see if you understand the program and are truly interested in being a part of it. You will be put on a waiting list to contact. ut that shouldn't be too long. I requested to join one week and was contacted the following week.
You can also discontinue the program at anytime. You are not obligated to anything except to return the scanner (free of any S&H charges of course).
You can read more about them:
Using a small, state-of-the-art hand-held scanner (which ACNielsen will provide to you free), you and members of your household will scan the UPC barcodes on all of your purchases. It's Easy to receive FREE Gifts from their catalog and Great Prizes. Limited availability! (US)
http://homescansignup.com/

sound fun - i looked at the website. what kinds of things to you get from it?

The gifts in their gift catalogue are mostly home products like Timex watches, drills, cookware, gift cards,, etc. It takes awhile to gain enough points to get something good, but like BzzAgent, it is well worth it I think. Some of the free gifts that I got were: a free crock pot, a picnic kit, a real nice Diamond Cut-Never Needs Sharpening 9 peice knife set with knife block...I still use it everyday after 2 years and its still VERY sharp!
I began as a panelist over 3 years ago, so things may have changed a little since then. First they sent me a lengthy survey to complete. This helps them decide what type of gifts to offer panelists.
It is very cool using it, but it's heavy and kind of bulky. It seems that I would have to transmit my data with an 800 number line once a week. You put your scanner to the mouthpiece of the phone. There is a speaker on the back of the scanner that generates fax tones. .
Just remember please that not everyone is chosen to be a panelist. Panelists are chosen based on demographics. (where you live) , so if you are not chosen, don't shoot me! LOL Good Luck!
Tracy
They may have newer ones, but this is what my scanner looks like
[IMG]aolemb://B9190BD7-25B4-482C-8840-7A83E3CD70A4/scanner.jpg[/IMG]

thanks...i love bzzagent!!!! hope this is just as good

This sounds cool, wish I could do it! My dh already works for Neilsen tv ratings. That makes me exempt.

__________________
~Missy~Mommy
Meghan8.Samantha7,Cameron4

Well thanks for the link, I live on the west coast maybe they will pick me!!

Im a part of this panel too. I have my scanner at home. Sometimes I just take it with me and shop and use it at the same time. It saves time on having to have to do it later.
My husband laughs at me when Im sitting in the corner scanning my stuff before I put things away.

__________________
www.myspace.com/sassy143


Alex & the spider monkey

I just got an email that they are sending me a scanner. They never called though. I hope it isn't to complicated for me to do. Is it just groceries or anything from clothing, housewares, auto stuff?

They may have tried calling at a time you were not home or they may call you later. But if they sent you an email, then you are getting a scanner, so that's a good thing! Don't worry about if you can do this or not. I was real nervous too, but they give you all the information you need and a free 24 hour 800 number to call if you have questions. After I read how to use the scanner and what to do, I realized it would be easy and actually quite fun to do! You will be scanning everything that you purchase that has a bar code. Groceries, housewares, auto, clothing, etc.
I also take my scanner with me to the store or leave it in the car. If I happen to have a large amount of groceries, when I return home, I insist that nobody touch a thing before I scan it. lol
The key to doing this is consistancy, keeping your reciepts handy, remembering to transfer your purchases on the same day each week if possible to help you remember and checking in on to their website occasionally to check for surveys for extra points.
Don;t worry about making mistakes. I still make them when scanning. What's important is that you scan and transfer at least ONE time per week. That's it!
I promise you, you can do this!

This sounds great, I'm gonna try and join. Thanks for the info