The Flowers of Spring
There are so many beautiful flowers blooming now! It’s uplifting to see all the varieties and colors to remind us that warmer weather is on the way.
Our office building has a nice atrium area where tulips bloom at this time every year. It’s so pretty, I took a picture to show you!
Do you have any favorite flowers, especially ones that are blooming now in the springtime? Let me know in the blog’s comment section!
Spring Gardens
According to realsimple.com, for most gardens, a mix of perennials and annuals is usually the best in terms of cost, as well as time and effort. So what’s the difference between annuals and perennials? Annuals die off when temperatures get too cold, which requires you to plant new ones the following spring. Perennials will come back and regrow year after year.
I’m not very good at gardening, but I do love to stroll around gardens and arboretums and look at (and photograph) all the beautiful plants, trees, and flowers. It’s a peaceful escape for me. Are there any arboretums or gardens in your area that you like to visit? Do you have a garden at home? If so, please leave a comment for me, I would love to hear from you.
Spring Flowers
Let’s take a look at some of the more popular spring flowers from pioneerwoman.com. Each with their own unique colors and features.
Tulips – A classic spring flower, it’s ideal to plant them in the fall so they’re ready for spring. Tulips come in many colors and shapes.
Daffodils – Cheerful yellow flowers that are a sure sign spring has arrived. They require very little care. Plant them in the fall in a spot that gets lots of sun exposure.
Grape Hyacinth – A tiny-but-mighty little bulb, produces charming purple or white flowers every year.
Crocus – Have cup-shaped, colorful blooms, some of the first to appear in spring.
Lily of the Valley – An old-fashioned perennial, its tiny white bells dangle on long stems and have a sweet scent in mid-spring.
Iris – Comes in many different forms and colors, they have sword-like foliage and dramatic-looking flowers.
Forsythia – Brilliant yellow flower that is a low-maintenance and fast-growing shrub. It starts blooming in early spring, but is best planted in the fall in full sun.
Azalea – One of the most popular flowering shrubs. These trumpet-shaped flowers can be found in lavender, white, salmon, and red.
Lilacs – Cone-shaped clusters of four-petalled flowers. These fragrant blooms will likely bring bees to your yard in springtime.
Snowdrop – Small, bell-shaped, fragrant flowers with white outer petals and green tips. One of the first to bloom in the spring, often blooming when there’s still snow on the ground.
Scanning Info for NCP panel members
Select the “Floral” category in the NCPMobile app’s Non-Barcoded Items list to report any plant or flower purchases that don’t have a barcode, or have a barcode that the app won’t accept (refer to the Barcode Reference Booklet if you use NCP’s handheld scanner). This includes fresh cut flowers, corsages, bouquets, houseplants, outdoor plants, etc.
Don’t select this category for purchases of UPC-barcoded items such as plant food, potting soil, fertilizer, artificial flowers/plants, planter pots/containers, gardening tools, etc. Please scan these items as you normally would.
Spring has sprung! Go out and enjoy it!
Regards,
Taylor
“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.” — Ruth Stout
More from NCP
Go Outside And Get In The Garden
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!
Celebrate Earth Day with Reusable Products
Earth Day is next week on April 22!
On April 22, 1970, an estimated 20 million Americans took to the streets and parks to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Since that first Earth Day, the celebration has evolved into the largest civic event in the world as billions of people work to protect our planet.
The theme for this year’s Earth Day is Planet vs. Plastics. According to earthday.org, their goal is to phase out single-use plastic items and to encourage a 60% reduction in all plastic products by 2040. So, today I want to share with you some ideas for reducing single-use plastics in our daily lives by investing in their reusable counterparts.
Do you do anything special to celebrate Earth Day? Leave a comment and let me know, I’d love to hear from you!
Easy reusable product swaps
Have you ever thought about all the items you use on a daily basis, and where they end up? So much of what we buy ends up in landfills, such as plastic packaging used on products to food waste and more. There are lots of options for replacing disposable items with reusable options! Here are a few I’ve incorporated in my household.
Water Bottles: Instead of buying bottled water, I have several reusable water bottles on hand at home. Many places now offer water bottle filling stations, so you can refill your bottle. Many convenience stores will now let you refill your own cup or bottle with soda from their fountain machines instead of using their plastic or styrofoam cups.
Shopping bags: Reusable shopping bags have been popular for quite some time, and many cities have started banning plastic bags at stores. It can be hard to get in the habit of keeping bags in your car- and putting them back in the car after unloading groceries in your house! But, once you get used to it, it’s a great way to cut down on your use of plastic bags.
Produce bags: You can also buy reusable produce bags to carry in the grocery store, replacing the plastic bags used for bagging individual fruits and vegetables!
Straws: Reusable straws are another popular item to help reduce plastic waste. You can find them made of metal, silicone, glass, and other materials. Plus, there are many types of folding reusable straws that are easy to keep in your car, purse, or pocket. Just remember to clean them after you use them!
Paper towels or napkins: My household goes through so many paper towels, and I’m hoping to switch to reusable towels this year. It’s as simple as purchasing a package of cleaning cloths and using those instead of reaching for the paper towels. They can easily be washed and reused many times. I’ve already stopped buying paper napkins for regular daily use, and instead we use cloth napkins.
Sandwich and other plastic bags: Plastic bags are great for packing lunches, separating snacks, and storing small items. But, they can add up to a lot of plastic waste. Reusable silicone bags are a great option to replace disposable bags. They’re easy to wash, last a long time, and you can find them in almost any size.
Looking for more ideas? You can find a list of 36 reusable versions of household items in this article from Reader’s Digest.
Added benefits of reusable products
Not only does purchasing reusable versions of products help reduce waste, but it can also save you money. It might cost more upfront to invest in products like silicone bags or cloth napkins. But, when you consider the long-term cost of buying plastic bags and paper towels, you’ll likely find the reusable items to be cost-effective.
Don’t forget the aesthetic value: I always find my mood lifted a little when I carry my groceries in a cheerfully-printed bag instead of a boring plastic sack. You can add stickers to a water bottle to personalize it. Or, buy cloth napkins in colors to match your home decor.
What types of reusable items do you already use in your household? Do you plan to swap any disposable items for reusable versions? If so, remember to scan the barcodes of those items and report the purchases to NCP. Leave a comment and let us know what you think! I’d love to hear more ideas about how to reduce waste, especially plastic.
Happy Earth Day!
Regards,
Taylor
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!
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NCP Spotlight: Panel Members in Alabama
Welcome to a new series on the NCP Blog, our Spotlight on States! Each month, we’ll share a new post about one of the 48 states where National Consumer Panel has members.
Let’s kick off this series with Alabama!
Alabama was admitted to the Union on Dec. 14, 1819, as the 22nd state. Montgomery has been the state capital since 1847. Alabama is bordered by Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida, along with the Gulf of Mexico in the southwestern corner.
According to the 2020 US Census Bureau, the estimated population of Alabama is 5,024,279, making it the 24th most populous state.
Official Alabama State Symbols
Every state has their own unique symbols, from birds to flowers to songs and more! Here are some of Alabama’s official state symbols:
– Bird: Yellowhammer
– Flower: Camellia
– Insect: Monarch Butterfly
– Vegetable: Sweet Potato
– Fruit: Blackberry
– Tree: Southern Longleaf Pine
– Reptile: Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle
– Mammal: Black Bear
Find more information about Alabama’s state symbols here.
Fun Facts about Alabama
Huntsville, the largest city in the state, is known as the rocket capital of the world and is nicknamed “Rocket City.” It is home to NASA’s George C. Marshall Space Flight Center. The Apollo 11 rocket that launched astronauts to the moon was made in Alabama.
The world’s first electric trolley system was introduced in 1886 in Montgomery.
The first operational windshield wipers were invented in Alabama! Mary Anderson is credited with inventing them in 1903, according to The Fact Site.
According to CoolKidFacts, Alabama is the second-largest producer of peanuts in the United States with more than 900 farms. Around 400 million pounds of peanuts are farmed each year.
Famous people from Alabama include Nat “King” Cole, Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron, Helen Keller, Rosa Parks, and the actor Channing Tatum.
NCP Panel Members in Alabama
Want to learn more about your fellow panel members in Alabama? Here’s how our Alabama panel members answered some of our survey questions!
How long have you been a panel member?
– 32% of survey respondents have been members for 15 or more years!
– 16% have been members for less than a year.
Is the area you live rural, suburban, or urban?
– 42% live in rural areas
– 46% live in suburban areas
– 12% live in urban areas
Do you have children?
– 75% of respondents have children
– Of those, 22% have children living in their home
Shopping habits of NCP Panel Members in Alabama
Do you think peoples’ shopping habits differ based on where they live? We’re curious about this, so we asked our panel members questions about how, when, and where they shop, along with some other questions about their habits.
Here’s what our panel members in Alabama had to say about their shopping habits:
– 67% of respondents shop both online and in-store, with 30% shopping in-store only.
– 63% of respondents tend to shop at the same stores.
– 74% of respondents mostly stick to their list when shopping, but sometimes make impulse purchases.
– 64% of respondents shop alone, with another 24% shopping with a spouse or partner.
When it comes to choosing where to shop, the vast majority of Alabama panel members -86%- primarily shop at grocery stores or mass-merchandise retailers. Price, convenience, and location are the top factors that influence where people decide to shop. Most of our Alabama panel members shop 1-3 times per week.
Almost 80% of survey respondents look for ways to save money while shopping, with digital coupons and store loyalty programs being the most popular options. Other respondents shop at multiple stores, use the store sales flyer to plan their list, subscribe to store emails, and clip paper coupons.
Convenience while shopping
While ordering groceries and other items online has long been an option, the COVID-19 pandemic made delivery and pick-up a lot more common for people.
Here’s what Alabama panel members had to say about it:
– 58% never order groceries online and pick up at the store, while 32% do sometimes.
– 65% never order groceries online to be delivered, while 29% do sometimes.
We also wondered if the weather influenced a person’s choice between online and in-person shopping, but for most Alabamians, it doesn’t seem to be a factor. 37% of respondents said weather doesn’t impact their decision, with 26% saying they prefer in-person shopping regardless of the weather.
And finally: self-checkout. Some people love it, others hate it. According to our survey, 20% of respondents always choose self-checkout, with another 41% indicating they frequently choose it. 28% of respondents rarely use it, and 11% never do.
Interests of NCP panel members in Alabama
Here are a few other fun facts about Alabama panel members from our survey!
The most popular outdoor activities are hiking and walking. A few of the unique answers panel members wrote in include horseback riding, bird watching, and croquet.
We asked panelists which sports they follow, and 55% said football.
We also wanted to know: what place would you recommend to visitors in your hometown or state? Here are some of the answers we got from panel members:
– Huntsville Botanical Gardens
– U.S. Space & Rocket Center
– Gulf Shores beaches
– Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
– Vulcan statue
– Helen Keller’s birthplace
Did you learn anything new about Alabama? How do your shopping habits compare to panel members in Alabama? We hope you enjoyed this first post in our new series. Stay tuned for the next one!
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!
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The Wonderful World of Toys
Toys bring out creativity and encourage the use of imagination. Although there are lots of different toys available now then when I was a kid, some of the old toys are still hanging around. Walking through the toy aisles in a store can bring back fun childhood memories of toys that may be long gone, or may still be around but look a little bit different now.
Do you remember what your favorite toy was as a child? Do you have children or grandchildren who have favorite toys? Let me know in the comment section, I would love to hear from you!
Benefits of Toys
Playing with toys provides many benefits to children. These benefits include building social skills, teaching patience, boosting imagination and creativity, enhancing fine motor skills, enhancing thinking and language skills, and more.
According to kidscareclub.com, infants love toys that can be reached for, held, shaken, and make noise. For toddlers, toys that teach balance and coordination, as well as themed toys such as puzzles are a fun addition. For 2+ years, toys that encourage pretend play spark imagination, these include dolls and strollers, toy kitchen items, etc. As children grow, there are more and more different kinds of toys that can be introduced to them.
History of Some Classic Toys
I thought it would be fun to take a look at the history of some classic toys that I’m sure you’ll recognize!
Silly Putty – A stretchy pink glob that comes in a plastic egg. Invented by General Electric engineer James Wright who was trying to create an inexpensive substitute for synthetic rubber.
Super Soaker – A high-powered water gun that claimed to be able to shoot water up to 50 feet away. Invented by nuclear engineer and part-time inventor Lonnie Johnson. He had an accident with a heat pump that sprang a leak shooting a blast of water across the room. This prompted him to invent the super soaker toy.
Play-Doh – A molding toy that feels like a cross between clay and bread dough. Invented by Kutol Products, an industrial cleaning product company. Kutol Products was losing market for its non-toxic clay-like compound used to clean coal dust off of wallpaper. The company owner’s sister-in-law tested the clay-like compound as a molding toy with her nursery school class and Play-Doh was invented!
Slinky – A bouncy spring coil famous for “walking” downward. Invented by mechanical engineer Richard James while attempting to come up with an instrument to stabilize naval ships during World War II.
Magic 8 Ball – A pool ball-shaped fortune telling toy. Invented by Albert Carter, son of a Cincinnati clairvoyant.
Toy Sales
According to Circana, dollar sales of toys declined 8% in 2023, but the toy industry overall has experienced a $5.7 billion increase in sales since 2019.
Circana tracks 11 supercategories of toys:
Outdoor & Sports Toys
Games/Puzzles
Infant/Toddler/Preschool Toys
Building Sets
Dolls
Plush Toys
Explorative & Other Toys
Action Figures & Accessories
Vehicles
Arts & Crafts
Youth Electronics
Three of these categories experienced growth in 2023. Outdoor & Sports Toys was the largest supercategory with a 16% share of all toy dollars. Building Sets had the fastest growth. Plush Toys had the second-largest dollar gain.
NCP Panel Members – If you buy toys that have a UPC barcode on the packaging, please remember to report those purchases to NCP! Thank you!
Regards,
Taylor
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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.
Coming Soon: NCP Spotlight on States
We have a new series coming to the NCP Blog: our NCP Spotlight on States! Last month, we sent a survey to panel members asking questions about where they live and their shopping habits. Lifestyles can vary depending on where you live, and we want to learn more about these differences among our panel members- and we thought you might be interested in them, too!
Starting next week, we hope to highlight one or two states each month. We’ll share fun facts about the state, such as their state symbol, state bird, or how many people live there. And, we’ll include information provided by our panel members!
Some of the questions we asked in the survey included:
-How long have you been a National Consumer Panel member?
-Do you have children?
-What type of store do you shop in the most?
-Do you shop alone or with others?
-How often do you use self-checkout?
-What outdoor activities do you enjoy the most?
-What specific place or tourist attraction would you recommend in your state?
In future blogs, you’ll learn more about your fellow panel members across the U.S., along with interesting information about the states they live in.
What state would you like to learn more about first? Do you think the shopping habits and lifestyles of panel members in different states will vary much? Leave a comment and let us know!
We hope you’ll enjoy this new series on the NCP blog, and that you’ll learn some interesting things about your fellow panel members and where they live. Stay tuned for the first state spotlight!
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!
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In The Know: Spring Cleaning
NCP panel members.. hold onto your brooms and dustpans! We’ve conducted an enlightening survey on the ins and outs of spring cleaning, and the results are in. From the frequency of cleaning to the use of scented products, get ready to dive into the sparkling world of tidying up!
Spring cleaning traditions
Why do people like to take on “spring cleaning?” There are a lot of reasons; here are the top three reasons panel members reported:
– To declutter and organize
– To make the home feel and smell fresh
– To create a healthy living environment
Of the panel members who responded to the survey, the majority-37%- do not have a specific spring cleaning tradition. 32% of respondents take part in spring cleaning every year, while 31% of you sometimes participate.
Many of you spend time throughout the year cleaning and organizing, not just during the spring season. According to our survey, 55% of respondents declutter and organize their home occasionally through the year. Another 27% frequently declutter; while 17% rarely spend time on this activity. A tiny percentage- 1%- never declutter or organize.
Where do you spring clean?
These are the top five areas of the home that are given the highest priority when spring cleaning, according to our panel members:
– Bedroom
– Kitchen
– Living Room
– Yard/deck/patio
– Garage
When spring cleaning, 80% of respondents focus on specific areas or rooms only, while 18% of you tackle the entire home.
Most of you seem to have a routine that works for you, as 48% of respondents expect to clean and organize the same as you did in previous years. Only 8% of respondents expect to clean less, while 44% of you expect to clean more.
But, at least you have help! At least, most of you do. According to the survey, 44% of respondents have other household members help with spring cleaning tasks. As for the rest of you, 19% indicated they live alone, while 37% of panel members don’t have help from other family members.
Time spent cleaning
Spring cleaning can be as big of a chore as you want it to be- or not. We asked panel members how long it takes to complete your spring cleaning tasks, and here’s what you said:
– 38% take 1-2 weeks
– 27% take less than one week
– 19% take 2-3 weeks
– 8% take 3-4 weeks
– 9% take more than 4 weeks
Some rooms of the home take longer than others to clean, whether it’s because of the size of the room, how frequently it’s used, or the number of items in the room. Panel members reported that these three rooms take the most time to clean:
– Kitchen
– Bedrooms
– Bathrooms
We also wanted to know: what are the top obstacles you encounter when spring cleaning? These are the top three obstacles panel members reported:
– Finding the motivation to begin
– Keeping the home clean for an extended period of time
– Difficulty deciding what to keep or discard
Spring cleaning products
There are so many cleaning products available, it can be hard to choose what to use and where to use it. It’s important to determine what product features are important to you and your household, and then look for products that meet your requirements.
Panel members reported these five features as most important to them:
– Multi-purpose use
– Effectiveness/strength
– Price
– Scent
– Ease of use
A large number of survey respondents like to use scented products, and we asked what types of scented items you like to use after you’ve completed your spring cleaning tasks. Here’s what respondents said about scented products:
– 27% don’t use scents
– 23% use plug-ins
– 23% use candles
– 9% use essential oils, sprays, etc
And finally, we were interested in one final type of product: air purifying systems. This has become a popular item over the past few years, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Of our survey respondents, 65% don’t currently have an air purifier, while 30% of you do have one. Another 5% indicated they plan to purchase one.
That’s it for this edition of “In The Know.” Got a topic you would like to see covered at ITK? Let us know!
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!
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What Kitchen Appliances Do You Use?
Kitchen appliances have exploded in popularity the past few years, with new gadgets showing up on store shelves all the time. Most homes have basic large appliances in the kitchen like refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers. But an increasing number of consumers are buying smaller countertop items to save time and inspire creativity while cooking.
In my household, we’ve always had a microwave oven, blender, and coffeemaker. Through the years, we’ve added things like a panini machine, a rice cooker, and even a countertop ice maker- which comes in handy during the summer when hosting backyard gatherings.
Circana reported that while sales of small kitchen appliances are projected to decline by 4-5% throughout 2024, purchases of these items is still higher than it was before the pandemic began in 2020.
What types of small appliances do you use the most in your kitchen? Which one could you not live without? Leave a comment and let me know, I’d love to hear from you! And who knows, maybe I’ll learn about something that would be useful to me in my own kitchen!
Popular kitchen appliances
Recently, we asked our Facebook followers: “What small kitchen appliance do you use the most?” We received a large number of comments on this post, and the answers didn’t surprise us at all.
The most common responses included:
– Coffeemaker
– Microwave
– Toaster
– Air fryer
Other items frequently used by panel members included electric kettles, can openers, blenders, hand mixers, rice cookers, and slow cookers.
According to Circana, the top five appliances used for in-home dinner occasions are the stovetop, microwave, oven, oil or air fryer, and grill. That probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise to most people, as most of these have been around for many years. But, new items are constantly competing for countertop space, and regularly-used appliances like microwaves are frequently upgraded and improved with new features.
Unique countertop gadgets
Just when I think I’ve seen every type of kitchen appliance or gadget, I spot another one online or on a store shelf that I’ve never seen before! Some of the more interesting appliances I’ve spotted recently include:
– S’mores maker
– Breakfast sandwich maker
– Donut maker
– Mini waffle makers that create different shapes like hearts, dinosaurs, etc
– Grilled cheese sandwich toaster
Niche kitchen gadgets are fun, especially to give as gifts, but if you’ve ever walked through a thrift or secondhand store, you’re likely to see a lot of these items on the shelves. They’re fun for parties and special events, but often take up a lot of space and are difficult to store. And if they aren’t used very often, it may not make sense to keep them.
Appliance trends
Many small kitchen appliances are popular for awhile and then disappear, only to come back around- kind of like clothing styles! Remember how fondue pots were so popular in the 1970s and have enjoyed a resurgence at different times? I also remember when everyone rushed to buy breadmaking machines, only to lose interest a few years later (myself included!). But, during the COVID-19 pandemic, baking bread became popular again.
Many consumers are becoming more interested in multi-tasking appliances. For example, we used to have a toaster, microwave, and air fryer in our kitchen. Last year, we upgraded our microwave to a version that combines all of these functions- which allowed us to eliminate several small appliances from our countertop. Likewise, the basic blender we received as a wedding gift years ago has since been updated to a newer version with multiple settings and functions.
Panel Member reminders
If you purchase small kitchen appliances and gadgets, whether as a gift or for yourself, don’t forget to scan the barcodes and report those purchases to NCP!
Not an NCP panel member and want to become one? Click here to learn more or join the panel.
What is your favorite countertop appliance, the one you use the most often, or the gadget you can’t live without in your kitchen? Leave a comment, I’d love to know! And if you’ve seen a unique kitchen appliance recently, I’d love to know that as well- it’s so interesting to see what new things appear on the store shelves.
Regards,
Taylor
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!
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It’s All in the Stars
One star, two stars, three stars, oh my! Now that you can find reviews for almost everything online, how much do you rely on them?
I have to admit, I read reviews a lot, especially if I’m struggling to decide whether to purchase a particular item or not. I rely mostly on reviews when making a big purchase such as a refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher, etc., and even when planning a vacation. They also come in handy when searching for a new restaurant to try.
So, what exactly is an online review? Basically, it’s an evaluation shared by a customer based on their experience with a product, service, or their overall customer experience.
As we know, reviews expand from products to all types of services. From hotels to restaurants, and painters to plumbers, you can always find peoples’ opinions and experiences about all kinds of products and services.
Reviews can be as influential as a recommendation from a family member or friend (sometimes even more influential). Think about the last time you made a big purchase or chose a new service provider. Chances are you read the reviews about that product or company.
How often do you read and rely on reviews? Let me know in the comment section below!
Online review stats
Check out these interesting stats about online reviews from LinkedIn.
95% of consumers read online reviews before buying a product
89% of consumers make an effort to read reviews before buying products online
94% say bad reviews have made them avoid a business
97% read reviews for local businesses
81% of consumers say they are likely to check Google reviews first
74% of consumers say that reviews increase their trust in a company
Reviews are a vital indicator of a company’s online credibility, and directly influence purchasing decisions in a major way.
Be wary of fake reviews
Reviews are important as consumers depend on reviews to make, what they hope to be, the right decisions.
With lots of scams going on these days, we also have to be aware of fake/scam reviews.
According to the BBB, there are ways to recognize if a review could be fake:
- Look out for generic reviewer profiles. If a reviewer has a very common or generic name, such as John Smith or Jane Doe, that is a red flag.
- Read reviews by customers with verified purchases. Many sites will indicate if a purchase is verified.
- Examine the quality of the review. If you see that a product has several five-star or one-star reviews with just a word or two written in the review, it may be a fake.
- Did the reviewer receive a free product? Although free product programs are usually legitimate, if you see that almost every review of a product comes from someone who received it for free, or if the only satisfied customer is the one who received a free product, then you might want to think more about whether to make the purchase or not.
- Look at the quantity of reviews. If a product only has a few reviews, especially compared to similar products, it could indicate that the product may be less than reliable.
For NCP Panel Members
If you purchase and report a product to NCP, but you end up returning it, you won’t be able to tell us about the return. But, of course, if you purchase a replacement product, be sure to scan and report that purchase. Thank you!
Regards,
Taylor
More from NCP:
Decisions, Decisions (February 12, 2024)
Rate of Returns (October 3, 2023)
Be Aware of Social Media Scams (February 2, 2023)
Keeping Cyber Secure (October 11, 2019)
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!
How to Play NCP’s Pick N’ Win Sweepstakes
Pick N’ Win is NCP’s fantastic sweepstakes where you’re in control of the game.
Each month we feature amazing items in the Pick N’ Win Sweepstakes. NCP panel members use their reward points to add entries to drawings for specific prizes. Depending on how many points you have, enter in as many times as you want.
Watch James describe how to play Pick N’ Win directly through our NCPMobile app or on our panel member website.
Hi, James here from National Consumer Panel. Let’s talk about NCP’s Pick N’ Win Sweepstakes where you’re in control of the game. This sweepstakes allows you to use your reward points for a chance to win some great prizes. Every month, you’ll find a new selection of prize options available to you.
Here’s how it works: you redeem a specific number of your reward points to enter the sweepstakes. The number of reward points varies depending on the prize you choose. You can make single or or multiple entries for each prize. For example, you may want to put in one, two, or three entries for a big screen smart TV, or you may opt for just one entry for a tool set and a few entries for a set of cookware. It’s totally up to you.
How to Enter
There are a couple of ways to enter the Pick N’ Win Sweepstakes. To participate in the sweepstakes through the NCPMobile app, simply tap the menu button then select Pick N’ Win Sweeps. You’ll see all the available prizes and the points needed for each entry.
To participate through the panel member website ncponline.com, go to the reward section and select Play Pick N’ Win, then click on the Pick N’ Win Sweeps button. Once you’re on the sweepstakes page you can browse through all the available prizes and submit your entries.
Following the end of each month, NCP randomly selects the winners from all eligible entries. All winners of NCP sweepstakes are listed in the sweepstakes section on the website.
Got questions about the Pick N’ Win Sweepstakes, other sweepstakes, or panel membership? Please contact our Panel Support Center. Thanks for watching!
Resources
Not an NCP panel member and want to become one? https://go.onelink.me/HqzN/jq5awz3w
Questions about NCP panel membership? Email us at [email protected] or call toll free 1-800-962-6700.
Current NCP panel members, visit our panel member website: https://www.ncponline.com/panel/US/EN/Login.htm
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!
More From NCP:
St. Patrick’s Day Fun
Sunday, March 17th, is St. Patrick’s Day, a fun holiday that my family enjoys – and you don’t even have to be Irish to celebrate!
As I’ve mentioned in years past, I like to prepare a couple of traditional St. Patrick’s Day foods, which are usually corned beef and cabbage and Irish soda bread. We all wear something green and usually hang out with family and friends. There may even be some adult beverages involved (did someone say green beer, lol).
Will you be celebrating the holiday? Maybe cooking/buying traditional St. Patrick’s Day foods, dressing in green, or attending a parade? Please let me know in the comment section below!
St. Patrick’s Day Spending
According to the National Retail Federation’s annual St. Patrick’s Day survey, consumers plan to spend a record $7.2 billion (an average of $44.40 per person) on the holiday this year. Top spending categories are food and beverages.
A record 62% or 162 million Americans are planning to celebrate.
What do some of those celebration plans include?
82% will wear green
29% will make a special dinner
26% will decorate their home or office
27% will attend a party at a bar/restaurant
16% will attend a private party
15% will attend a parade
12% will host a party
Best Cities For St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Different cities have their own St. Patrick’s Day traditions. Chicago, for example, is known for dyeing the Chicago River green. Other cities might be known for their parades, pageants and/or pub crawls. According to WalletHub, here are some of the top cities for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations based on their rich traditions of tasty and affordable food, safe conditions to celebrate, and good weather. (See the full article for a list of all the cities.)
Boston, MA
Chicago, IL
Savannah, GA
Reno, NV
Pittsburgh, PA
New York, NY
Worcester, MA
Buffalo, NY
For NCP Panel Members
Be sure to report any special purchases you make for the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, in addition to your regular shopping. These include food and beverages, accessories, decorations, etc. Thank you!
If you celebrate the holiday, have a fun day!
Cheers,
Taylor
More from NCP:
St. Patrick’s Day Facts (March 15, 2019)
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day (March 16, 2018)
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!
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