James from National Consumer Panel answers some of the questions panel members frequently ask us about scanning, including:
✔ Why can’t I just scan my receipt?
✔ What if I forget to scan an item or a shopping trip?
✔ Is there anything I shouldn’t scan?
✔ Why won’t the app accept barcodes that contain letters?
Watch this video for answers to these common questions about reporting purchases!
More questions? Let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss future videos.
Hi, it’s James from NCP. Today I’m here to share with you some of the questions that our panel members frequently ask us about scanning and give you the answers. You never know, you just might find some information you’ve been looking for! Now, let’s get to it.
Why can’t I just scan my receipt?
Panel members frequently ask us why they can’t just scan the receipt instead of scanning each individual item. When you scan each individual item’s barcode, it provides NCP with far more details about an item than a receipt would, such as the size, flavor, weight, color, and much more. Entering individual items also tells manufacturers and retailers about your shopping preferences, which in turn shapes what they offer to consumers like you.
What if I forget to scan an item or a shopping trip?
If you forget to scan an item or two from a shopping trip, simply start a new shopping trip and scan the items, then enter the same total amount spent that you did in the original shopping trip. If you forget to scan an entire shopping trip, report the trip as as soon as you remember. You can use your receipt as a guide.
Is there anything I shouldn’t scan?
Yes, there are some instances in which you would not scan your purchases. Purchases for a business or organization you belong to, such as a school organization or nonprofit, should not be scanned. Also, don’t scan gifts you receive. Only scan gifts you buy for others as those are purchases you made. Lastly, NCP does not collect information on services such as hair salons, nail salons, car washes, automotive repair shops, and so on.
Why won’t the app accept barcodes that contain numbers and letters?
The NCP mobile app is unable to scan alpha numeric barcodes at this time. We are working on a solution to this, but in the meantime, if there’s an alpha numeric barcode label over the UPC barcode try to remove it and scan the UPC barcode underneath. If you’re unable to remove the alpha numeric barcode label, please check the non-barcoded items list for an appropriate category to report the purchase.
We hope that this breakdown of common scanning questions was helpful to you! Do you have any questions or issues that have come up for you while scanning? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for watching.
Blog comment reminder: If you have a panel-related issue that you need assistance with such as a problem with scanning or your rewards, please contact our Panel Support Center directly and they will be happy to assist you! You can reach them at 1-800-962-6700 or email them at [email protected]. You can send a message from NCP’s Facebook page. Please don’t enter panel-related issues or share any personal panel membership information in the blog comment section. Any issues will be addressed faster if you contact our support center directly. Thank you so much!
I really like using this app it’s easy and the point system is great.
All helpful
I buy items that I forget to scan and/or I threw away the barcode and I still have the receipt. I can’t log/register/record my items because your list for non barcode items doesn’t include any of my items I purchased. I think the non barcode items list needs to be updated to contain various items such as pet, personal items, etc.
Hi Pamela, thank you very much for your feedback! Scanning UPC barcodes is important as they provide a lot more information to us. If you forget to scan items and still have the items and receipt, you can still scan them. Unfortunately, if an item does not have a barcode and is not on the Non-Barcoded Items list, you won’t be able to report that purchase.
When entering total of item that is on sale, do I enter the sale price or the original amount?
Hi Tracey, please enter the discounted price you paid for the item. Thank you for asking. On the homepage of the panel member website, in the Community Center section, there is a “Reporting Coupons & Sales” document that you may find helpful.
Alot of items I buy from Amazon have barcodes with letters on them. For example I got a phone case and was unsure what category to select from the options in the non barcode items list course it was like food and clothing items.. so I agree the update for those barcodes would be great!
When I enter the total I spent on food in a dine-in restaurant, should I include the amount of the tip?
Hi Robbie, the tip doesn’t have to be included. Please enter the total price you paid including tax. Thanks for asking!
Good question! I always include the tip in the total. Guess I will stop. 🙂
That was very helpful to me. Thank you very much. He answered a lot of questions that I had.
i buy a lot items with letters in them please upgrade your system thanks