James from National Consumer Panel answers some of the questions panel members frequently ask us about reporting retailers and stores correctly, including:
✔ What do I do if I select the wrong retailer?
✔ How do I select a retailer and create a favorite store list?
✔ Why do I have to enter prices for some stores and not others?
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. Are you a panel member with questions about best practices for keeping track of your favorite retailers and stores when using the app? If so, this video is for you. Today we’ll go over some frequently asked questions about reporting retailers and stores correctly. Let’s get started.
What do I do if I select the wrong retailer at the start of a shopping trip?
If you choose the wrong store name at the start of a shopping trip, simply tap the done button and will take you to the item cart screen. From there you can go back to the store list and choose the correct store.
How do I select a retailer and create a favorite store list?
On the select a retailer screen, you’ll see a filter option that you can use to easily search for a particular store or store type by typing in the name. Next to each store name and store type on the list you’ll see a star. To create a list of your favorite stores, simply tap the star next to the name and the star will change color. Then at the top of the screen, tap favorites and you’ll see all the stores that you chose as your favorites listed there. It’s as easy as that.
Why do I have to enter prices for some stores and not others?
Some retailers provide NCP with pricing information for their products, while others don’t. This is why you may have to enter prices for some stores but not others.
We hope that you found this video informative. Do you have any other questions when it comes to your experience on the NCP panel? If so, 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!
Do you want us to scan items from Goodwill?
Hi Lisa-Anne, yes, you should report purchases from Goodwill, Salvation Army, or any other type of thrift store. If there’s a UPC barcode on the item, please scan it. If there’s no barcode, or the barcode won’t scan, then please check the Barcode Items List (if you use the NCPMobile app) or the Barcode Reference Booklet (if you use NCP’s handheld scanner) for an appropriate category to report the purchase (such as apparel, etc.). If you can’t find a category, then you won’t be able to tell us about the purchase. You can choose the store type “All Other Stores” from the store list for the shopping trip. Thanks!
I have run into scanning of the small barcode labels on fruits and vegetables.
Hi Emery, please use the Non-Barcoded Items list in the app to report purchases of non-UPC barcoded items such as fruits and vegetables (you can find videos on this topic on National Consumer Panel’s YouTube channel). Thank you!
I love this app
Having to perform a separate verification at times is annoying especially when the picture options aren’t very clear or if they want you to click on all pictures with a motorcycle and it may be in one tiny segment of one of the pictures or the picture is so far away you don’t know if it’s a motorcycle or not. Then you have to start all over. Why is this required at all?
Hi Roger, thanks for your question. We understand it may be frustrating at times. We use reCAPTCHA as it is a fraud prevention service that stops bots and automated attacks on our website and safeguards everyone’s data. Thank you.
I just found by luck where and how to make my favorite retailers list. It’s so easy and nice to have this feature.
Some items, like candles that I buy from Burlington or other retailers with those weird barcodes, won’t scan. What should I do?
Hi Kim, unfortunately for those types of items with barcodes that won’t scan or the app won’t accept, you won’t be able to report them. But, you can still include them in the total amount spent. Thank you for asking!
There should be a listing for places like thrift stores like good will etc and for when you do business at a post office or a UPS store because many people use these
Hi Bonnie, you can use the All Other Stores listing on your store list to report those purchases. Regarding USPS and UPS, you would only report items you purchased there such as shipping tape, envelopes, stamps, etc., not the cost to ship packages. Thank you!
Be nice to be able to use stores like Goodwill, Helping Hands, and other thrift stores bc a lot of people use them. I know NCP isn’t involved with local yard sales but why couldn’t we enter our items bought from big flea markets to show what consumers buy and where during summer mths
Very interesting that I can pick a Favorite retailer list.
I just learned how to make my retailers my favorite
I buy organic produce whenever I can but there is no way to differentiate organic from conventional when I am reporting my shopping trips. I would think retailers would want this information. Can the scanner program be modified to include this information?
I will pass along your feedback, Cindy. Thank you.