Are you looking for a way to make some extra cash without leaving the comfort of your home? Market research and internet surveys are two popular options. But before you dive in, you might be wondering if it’s a scam.
One company you might have heard of is the National Consumer Panel. They offer rewards for sharing your opinions on products and services. But is it too good to be true?
As an Internet entrepreneur, I’m in a good position to share with you everything I know about online surveys. Over the years, I’ve reviewed many survey sites.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the National Consumer Panel. I’ll explain who they are and what they do, and we’ll check out some real testimonials so you can get a better idea of what to expect if you decide to participate.
As a disclaimer, I’m not affiliated with National Consumer Panel. It means I’m not paid to write this review. So you can rest assured that you will get an honest and unbiased review from me.
At the end of this review, I’ll also tell you the best alternative to National Consumer Panel that has enabled me to make a full-time passive income online.
What is National Consumer Panel?
National Consumer Panel (NCP) is a market research firm that pays you for taking online surveys, testing new products, and even scanning barcodes. It’s a great way to earn some extra cash on the side, but before you dive in, you should know that not all research companies are created equal.
Thankfully, NCP is one of the good guys. They’re based in Syosset, New York and have ties to well-respected companies like Nielsen and IRI. So you can trust that your time and opinions are valued.
If you’re interested in earning some extra money, NCP could be a great opportunity for you.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
How Does It Work?
National Consumer Panel (NCP) has got a pretty unique way of conducting market research and tracking trends in retail stores. Instead of traditional surveys, they use barcode scanning as their primary method.
Here’s how it works: If you’re eligible, NCP will send you a barcode scanner or mobile app to scan your purchases. In exchange for your time and effort, you’ll receive a small amount of money. Sounds simple enough, right?
Well, according to some National Consumer Panel reviews, it’s a bit more time-consuming than it sounds. In fact, it may even require a change in your shopping habits to make it work.
For instance, my family usually does our grocery shopping at the end of a long day, right before we head home to prepare dinner. By the time we get to the store, we’re usually in a hurry to grab what we need and get back home. It’s tough to remember to scan every item we buy throughout the day.
Some customers may find it more convenient to scan items as they go, but that can take time too. And don’t forget, you’ll also need to note where you bought each item and how much it cost.
Despite the potential challenges, there are some advantages to using NCP. Unlike some other rewards programs, you won’t feel pressured to buy anything you wouldn’t normally purchase. Plus, it’s kind of fun to see how much you can earn over time just by scanning your groceries.
How Much Money Can You Make?
It’s not easy to estimate, but one thing’s for sure: don’t expect to get rich doing so.
Although, if you stick with it and remain a member for a while, you’ll be entitled to better benefits. While providing feedback and participating in this way can be rewarding, scanning all your purchases can take up quite a bit of time. So, it’s important to keep in mind that the hourly pay will be low.
But hey, if you need some extra cash, joining NCP could be an interesting alternative. Plus, the sweepstakes prizes can be pretty impressive if you happen to win. Just keep in mind that earning money with NCP will take some perseverance.
Overall, participating in NCP is a great way to earn a bit of extra cash while also providing feedback that can help shape the products and services we use every day.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
How to Join NCP?
Well, the first thing you should know is that membership is not open to everyone. The panel is looking for specific household demographics, and if you don’t match what they’re looking for, you won’t be able to sign up for a member account.
But don’t let that discourage you! When you visit their website, you’ll have the opportunity to answer some questions and provide basic information about yourself, like your age, sex, and job. This will help NCP determine whether your profile is useful to them or not.
If you fit the bill, you’ll receive an invitation via email to sign up for a member account. And if your household qualifies for a scanner device, NCP will mail it to the address you registered on the website. If you don’t qualify for the scanner, don’t worry – you can still use the NCPMobile app on your smartphone to scan the barcodes of your groceries.
The best part? It’s completely free! So even if you don’t match the criteria they’re looking for, there’s no harm in trying. Who knows, you might just fit the bill after all.
How Does National Consumer Panel Pay?
They’ll give you points for every purchase you make, which can be redeemed for cool stuff like gift cards from Amazon, iTunes, and Visa.
The points can be redeemed for either merchandise gift cards or sweepstakes entries. While we couldn’t find an exact estimate of how many points you can earn from scanning barcodes, we did learn that you’ll need at least 6,000 points before you can cash them out.
But that’s not all – you can also earn points by participating in online surveys! You can get up to 150 gift points, or 50 gift points and two sweepstakes entries, just by taking a few surveys.
And if you’re an AT&T mobile customer, you’re in luck – NCP members can save 25% on selected mobile plans.
Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of information about product testing opportunities with NCP, and there aren’t many member reviews. So while it’s not the most compelling reason to sign up, it’s still worth considering if you’re looking for a way to get some extra rewards for your purchases.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Who Is It For?
If you’re an organized person who likes to earn a bit of extra cash, then National Consumer Panel might be just what you’re looking for! This program is a great way to make a little extra dough, without having to work too hard.
That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that the money you can earn from this program isn’t exactly life-changing. So if you’re someone who needs a lot of extra cash, this might not be the best option for you.
Another thing to consider is that participating in the program does require a bit of effort on your part. You’ll need to make time to scan and record all of your purchases, which might mean making some adjustments to your daily routine. If that’s not something you’re willing to do, then this program might not be worth it for you.
Overall, we’d say that National Consumer Panel is a good option for anyone who’s looking to make a bit of extra money and doesn’t mind putting in a little bit of effort. Just don’t expect to become a millionaire overnight!
Who Is It Not For?
While it might seem like a good way to earn some money, the truth is that it might not be the best option out there.
Here’s the deal: the National Consumer Panel pays you for your time participating in market research. The problem is that there’s no real opportunity for leverage. In other words, you only get paid once for your time, no matter how much or how often you engage with them.
And let’s be real, in today’s world, the internet is everything. It’s all about creating something once and profiting from it over and over again. But unfortunately, that’s just not how the National Consumer Panel works.
So, if you’re looking for a way to make a real online income and take advantage of the power of the internet, it might be worth considering other options out there. Don’t get me wrong, participating in market research can be a great way to earn some extra pocket money, but if you’re looking to build a real online business, you might want to look elsewhere.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Who Can Join National Consumer Panel?
It’s important to note that the National Consumer Panel is only available for people residing in the United States. However, if you’re outside the U.S. and interested in similar services, we recommend checking out Nielsen Homescan.
Even if you live in the U.S., it’s not a guarantee that you’ll be accepted as a member. You’ll need to fill out an application and wait to hear back from them. Depending on factors such as where you live and how many people are in your household, you may or may not be accepted. Sometimes they have enough members in certain demographics and need more in others.
But don’t let that discourage you from giving it a shot! They’re always on the lookout for new members and you might be just the person they’re looking for. If you’re curious about the National Consumer Panel, why not apply and see what happens? Even if you’re not accepted right away, you can always join the queue and try again later.
How is the Customer Support?
If you need help with anything, you can easily contact the National Consumer Panel (NCP) in a number of ways. To get in touch with them, you can send an email, message them on Facebook, or give them a call.
If you have any questions, simply head over to their website and you’ll find their phone number listed there. It’s super easy to reach out to them and get the answers you need.
Now, let’s talk about their customer support. Some people have had mixed experiences with it, according to comments on their Facebook page. Some folks have complained about slow response times and technical issues. But, others have found their support to be helpful and valuable.
Personally, I’ve had a positive experience with their customer service. Whenever I’ve made a post on their Facebook page, they’ve responded almost immediately. The best part? They respond to all comments, whether they’re positive or negative.
This is a great sign because it shows that they are paying attention to their members and considering their opinions. Of course, whether or not NCP is the best fit for you will depend on your personal needs and preferences. But, it’s reassuring to know that they’re there to support their members.
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Online Reviews and Complaints
Let’s face it, every online business has its share of pros and cons, and the National Consumer Panel is no exception. However, we’re happy to report that most of the feedback is positive!
Here are some of the benefits that the users have mentioned:
- Scanning barcodes can help you keep track of your shopping habits and stay on budget.
- Getting paid to scan is a great way to motivate yourself to plan ahead and be more organized.
- Your opinion matters! By scanning your purchases, you provide valuable insights into what customers really want.
- Who doesn’t love getting paid for something they already do? Even if you’re not the most organized or budget-conscious person, you can still earn rewards just by scanning your purchases.
Of course, there are also some complaints about them:
- Some users have reported technical difficulties with the app and scanners.
- It may take longer to accumulate points for smaller prizes, such as a $5 Amazon gift card.
- Scanning barcodes can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it for the valuable feedback and rewards that you can earn.
Benefits
- Time is valuable, and the good news is that participating in the National Consumer Panel won’t take up too much of it. So even if you’re on a tight budget and have a busy schedule, you can still take part!
- Who doesn’t like making some extra money in their spare time? With the National Consumer Panel, you have the chance to earn bonuses just by sharing your opinions and feedback.
- Plus, you can feel good about joining because the National Consumer Panel is affiliated with well-known market research companies. Your input will help shape products and services that we all use every day.
Drawbacks
- Getting accepted into the program can be difficult, so don’t get your hopes up too high.
- The rewards for participating in the program may not be worth the time you put in, especially if you have a busy schedule.
- There is no opportunity for passive income with National Consumer Panel, so you’ll have to actively participate to earn any rewards.
Is It a Scam or Legit?
There are so many market research and internet survey companies out there that it can be tough to tell the good from the bad.
But the good news is that you can trust National Consumer Panel. This company is actually a partnership between two big names in the industry: Nielsen and IRI (formerly SymphonyIRI Group). And if you take a look at their social media pages, you’ll see plenty of positive comments from satisfied customers.
Now, that’s not to say that National Consumer Panel is perfect. Like any business, they have their share of complaints. But that doesn’t automatically make them a scam. In fact, it’s totally normal to have some dissatisfied customers, and it’s not a reflection of the company as a whole.
So, if you’re interested in making money with National Consumer Panel, go for it! Just remember to always be careful and do your research before signing up with any company. But in this case, you can rest easy knowing that National Consumer Panel is a legit opportunity.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Final Verdict
Some people may think that market research is a waste of time, but I beg to differ. Barcode scanning, product testing, and surveys are all entertaining ways to earn some money online. If you’re interested in taking surveys, check out Survey Junkie, or if you prefer to get paid for tasks like reading emails and watching videos, InboxDollars is the way to go.
However, if you’re tired of being tied down to a job and crave more control over your life and income, starting an online business might be the solution you need. And lucky for you, I’m here to give you some advice on how to get started! Check out the next section to learn more.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Is There a Better Way to Make Money Online?
If you want to make a stable and secure stream of passive income, I would suggest you start an affiliate marketing business online.
Affiliate Marketing is perfect for anyone who is new to online business.
In fact, of all the online business models I’ve tried, affiliate marketing is the easiest and most rewarding so far.
In affiliate marketing, you can actually run your business almost with zero cost and achieve a steady and sustainable passive income to pay for your bills. You don’t need any initial capital and can even do it as a side hustle.
And if you really want to learn affiliate marketing and build a business from scratch, I’d recommend you to get started with the most reputable platform for affiliate marketing: Wealthy Affiliate.
Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform for building your affiliate marketing business from scratch. It offers you a free account (including a free website) with comprehensive training on SEO (free traffic methods), which enables you to get started with affiliate marketing right away without paying a penny.
But How Much Can You Earn with Wealthy Affiliate?
A 21-year old student from Wealthy Affiliate was able to earn $7,395 in just 1 week, which means he made more than $1k a day…all while using free traffic methods.
Wealthy Affiliate has existed for 15 years and there are many success stories in the past decade.
You can read our full review of Wealthy Affiliate here.
Where to Join Wealthy Affiliate?
Wealthy Affiliate has a very simple pricing scheme. It has free and premium membership.
If you want to feel about Wealthy Affiliate, you can sign up for the free starter membership here (no credit card required). You can select to be a free member with no time limit.
And as a starter member, you can get instant access to the community, live chat, over 500 training modules, 2 classrooms, networking, commenting, 1 free website, access to the keyword tool.
You can enjoy all these values without paying a penny.
So I strongly recommend you to register a free account and see it yourself.
