Hi there. I’m Bzz Agent ktclick and I am “paid” in free products to tell you what I think.
National Consumer Panel
Over the past several months, I’ve been a National Consumer Panelist. When I first heard about this program, I thought it sounded like a great deal. Basically, they sent me a little electronic scanner to record all my weekly purchases. Each uploaded shopping trip – plus answering “brief” online surveys about my shopping habits – earns me points toward “stuff.”
This little hobby has turned into quite the chore. When I go shopping, it’s not like I buy one or two things. I prepare for shopping trips like some people plan their vacations – budget, itinerary, travel plan – the whole nine yards. So scanning a shopping trip for me is no simple task. The little scanner works well, but it also asks me questions about how much I paid for each item, whether I used a store sale, double or triple coupons. Well, I use LOTS of those things and it takes me a good ten minutes – usually much more – to scan the items I purchase.
Then there’s the “rewards.” I didn’t sign up for this as a volunteer, and the National Consumer Panel doesn’t expect me to do things for free. But, in my view, I AM expected to do lots of work for little more than free. The rewards (which I couldn’t look at before I signed up to be a panelist) range from baby leg warmers to $50 gift cards. There are a few household things you can earn, but it’s nothing I’d ever use (like four crystal Mikasa goblets for 29,000 points). The $50 iTunes gift card (probably the only thing I’d ever really use) is going to cost 39,000 points. I’ve been sending in reports almost every week (except over the past month) since October and I’ve earned 4,750 points.
Since I haven’t been keeping up with my “duties” as a National Consumer Panelist during most of April and all of May, I’ve been receiving notices in the mail from NCP saying they would have to take “action” if I didn’t start sending in my weekly reports. The overall message of these curt little yellow cards is that I’d better get back to work if I expect to continue having the honor to participate in this program. Ahem, no thank you. The scanner is being sent back ASAP.
BZZAgent.com
On the other hand, I LOVE being a Bzz agent. Since signing up for this program back in February, I’ve gotten free Children’s Claritin, free Filippo Berio olive oil, full-sized bottles of Garnier Fructis shampoo and conditioner, and last week, I received an entire box of Neutrogena cosmetics – in shades flattering to my complexion. And all I have to do in exchange is tell people what I think. Plus, they ALWAYS send some really valuable coupons for me to share with friends, or use on my own.
The immediacy of receiving, then reviewing these products is so much more rewarding than I thought it would be. As a Bzz Agent I am encouraged to point out flaws, and as a person who loves sharing her opinions, I’m glad to. It’s also encouraging that I can be rewarded lots of points for being honest, writing good and detailed reviews and for other simple tasks like writing on a company’s Facebook wall or tweeting about joining a campaign. The more points you get, the more likely you’ll be asked to review products.
I haven’t signed up for every campaign (one asked for $50 to review an electronic car maintenance program and another was for Dr. Scholl’s inserts for high heel shoes – which I never wear), and I haven’t loved every product (I did a review of an Arnold bread that cost almost $4 a loaf and that I never would have bought if it weren’t on sale and had they not sent me a high-value coupon).
But the other “stuff” I’ve gotten from them would probably total almost $100 had I bought all of it retail. That’s payment enough for me.
National Consumer Panel grade: D
BzzAgent.com: A
