Get scanning with TNS National Shopping Monitor (nsmrewards.co.uk)

Member Name: dbarcl10

Product:	nsmrewards.co.uk
Date:	12/08/08 (1240 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great rewards, doesn't take long,

Disadvantages: Can be tedious

I have been a member of National Shopping Monitor (NSM) for about 4 years and have found it to be well rewarded for little effort, although it is a bit tedious.

WHO RUNS IT?

NSM is run by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), the world's third largest market research company. The company wishes to gather information on shopping habits in order to allow manufacturers to gain a better understanding of consumers.

WHAT IS IT?

Upon joining this panel, you will receive a handheld scanner, and a docking station that is connected to your phone line. You will also receive a booklet of barcodes for various shops and types of fresh food and vegetables.

After each shop you simply scan the barcode for your name, the shop, enter the amount spent, and then scan all your items with barcodes. Any items without barcodes, loose fresh fruit for example, can be entered by scanning the barcode for that particular item then answering a few simple questions on the scanner, such as weight, price, number bought.

Once you're finished scanning all your shopping, simply pop the scanner back into its docking station and you're done. Overnight, the scanner will dial into the NSM systems and download your purchase details. This uses a free phone number so no need to worry about running up a high phone bill if you've bought a lot.

On a weekly basis, NSM ask that you send them your till receipts, however, if you need the receipt for anything, such as a guarantee, you don't need to send the receipt. NSM supply postage paid envelopes for this purpose every month, so no expense is needed.

WHAT ARE THE REWARDS?

For each month that you are a member of NSM, you are awarded 5,000 points, with a further 750 points a month if you send in your receipts. Every two or three months there are additional surveys for which you receive bonus points, normally 2000 from memory. There is also a monthly newsletter in which panel members are chosen at random to receive bonuses of £500, and quizzes which result in bonus points.

There is also a Christmas bonus (7,000 points) and an annual bonus of 40,000 points on each anniversary with the panel.

Points are redeemable in batches of 10,000, which equates to £10. Vouchers can be claimed for a wide variety of high street stores, including Debenhams, Boots, WHSmith, Argos, JJB Sports, Virgin, etc. Alternatively you can donate your points to charity.

Delivery of the vouchers is within 5 working days, although I have always found them to be delivered within 3 days.

HOW DO I JOIN?

Unfortunately you can only register if you receive an invite. Like I mentioned earlier, I've been with NSM for a number of years, and can't remember how I was invited, but I think I just received a phone call asking if I was interested. I don't remember filling in any surveys or anything. However I think they do have online banners from time to time so keep an eye out for them.

ANY DOWNSIDES

The rewards are very good compared to the amount of effort involved, although it can be a bit tedious shopping all your shopping, especially if it's a big shop.

SUMMARY

Any excellent 'survey' site, with very good rewards. I'd strongly recommend signing up if you get the chance.

Summary: Strongly recommend