
| The Challenge of Selling Retail Products in the U.S. and Canada | |
| Simply Barcodes understands the unique challenges facing barcode buyers. With so many options available, where do you go, and who is legitimate? Customers often share with us that the process of obtaining barcodes seems complicated and expensive. Others share that they didn’t know they would have to barcode their product and now they need a solution quickly. | |
| Innovative Solutions for Selling Retail Products in the U.S. and Canada | |
| Simply Barcodes makes barcoding simple. You face numerous challenges when working to get your products to the market, so barcoding should not be one of them. Our service helps you achieve business success by ensuring that your product is barcoded when you need it. Simply Barcodes, established to help those who would otherwise be excluded from the market due to the cost of barcode services, offers many affordable solutions. You own your barcode as an asset of your company. We do not collect ongoing fees, making the total cost of ownership significantly lower. We understand with all of the confusing information available on the web that you might be concerned about legitimacy. Our company, in business for nearly a decade, maintains an A+ rating with the BBB. All of our barcodes originate with the governing body, GS1 and have never been previously used. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff stands ready to answer your questions and do more than just sell you a barcode. We work with you to help your company successfully market your products. |
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| Benefits of Selling Retail Products in the U.S. and Canada | |||||||||||||||||||
Whether you sell maple syrup, exercise equipment, or pet supplies, most companies regardless of size want to accomplish the following:
Simply Barcodes will help you meet all of these challenges by:
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| Would you like to receive your barcode today? | |
| Order Now! Single Barcodes for $89 or call us at +1-404-885-6066 or 1-877-872-2060 (toll free) | |
| What is a UPC? | |
| "UPC" stands for Universal Product Code. Retail products sold within the U.S. and Canada feature a single standard UPC barcode. The exceptions to this rule are: books, magazines, greeting cards, and prescription drugs. Retail products sold outside of North America feature an EAN barcode. | |
| How do UPC codes work? | |
| In short, the UPC is a 12-digit unique code for your product represented by scannable bars. Universal Product Codes (also known as GTIN-12) appear as lines (bars) of varying widths representing the series of numbers commonly shown below the bars. Barcode scanners read the bars and convert them back to the 12-digit UPC number that they represent. When you reach an agreement with a retailer to carry your product(s), they request the information required by their unique proprietary sales and inventory tracking systems. Your 12-digit UPC number, when looked up within the retailer’s inventory system, finds the corresponding product name and price. This information helps the retailer keep accurate inventory data, review sales, and reorder. |
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| Do I really need a UPC code on my product? | |
| Most stores have electronic point of sale (ePOS) systems that enable them to keep track of their sales and stocks and to reorder products by scanning the UPC code. Most retailers refuse to accept products that are not barcoded. In addition, many distributors make use of barcodes in their warehouse systems. |
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| What do I need to know about the standards organization for UPC codes? | |||||||||||
GS1, formerly called the UCC (Uniform Code Council) and EAN International, manages Universal Product Code standards.
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| Do I need to have a company prefix? | |
| The only reasons that you might need a company prefix are that 1) you have thousands of unique products or 2) you are selling to Wal-mart, Kroger or Macy’s. Please note that this list may not be comprehensive; always check with your retailer for confirmation of code acceptance. |
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| What is a company prefix? | |
| In the past, UPC bar codes consisted of a manufacturer’s number (also called a company prefix), a product number, and a check digit. The first six digits of a UPC bar code were referred to as the manufacturing number that always remained constant on all of a company’s products. The manufacturing number was followed by a five digit product number that is unique to each product. The 12th digit was a mathematically calculated digit, called a check digit. That system in its original form was abandoned some time ago. Currently, it is no longer possible to look at any given Universal Product Code and determine which portion of the 12 digit number is a fixed manufacturer’s number and which portion is a product number. |
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| Why is this? | |
| The first reason is variable length prefixing. GS1 changed its business model and began issuing 7, 8 and even 9-digit manufacturer’s prefixes in addition to the original 6-digit manufacturer’s number. The result of this is that it is no longer possible to look at any given UPC code and break it up into a company’s prefix and product ID number. The second reason is that GS1 leased single UPC numbers for a short time in 2008, a program they’ve since discontinued in the U.S. but still offer in other GS1 member country organizations. Since these single UPC codes do not technically have a prefix, Universal Product Codes need to be taken as the whole unique 12-digit number that is associated with your product/company information at the Point of Sale. |
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| What if I am selling to The Kroger Co., Macys, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Sears Brands, LLC or other stores that require GS1 membership? | |
| In this case, we absolutely recommend that you go directly to GS1. | |
| How do I get UPC codes for products sold within the United States? | ||||||
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| We only require that you provide contact and billing information. You are not required to provide product information. | ||||||
| Your retailer collects your product information, which they associate with your barcode at the Point of Sale. | ||||||
| Note: We also accept PayPal, checks or money orders. If using one of these payment methods, please download and complete an Order Form and include it with your payment. | ||||||
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| What do I get when I order my UPC code? | |||||||||
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| In what format are my UPC codes created? | |||||||||||||
| For your convenience, you receive your UPC barcode graphic in three different formats so that your graphic artist, printing company, or manufacturing facility can work with the graphic in their preferred software. | |||||||||||||
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| When do I get my UPC codes? | |
| The turn-around time is often within an hour. All orders received before 4 p.m. Eastern Time on business days are completed the same day. Orders placed after 4 p.m. will be processed next business day. If you require RUSH completion, please call 1-877-872-2060 (toll-free) or +1-404-885-6066 (international) to make arrangements. |
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| “I am happy with my experience with Simply Barcodes. I own a digital printing shop and I was impressed with the ease of the process. All we had to do was order and that same day we were able to put the barcode in the packaging artwork. I did not have any problems.” Ysabelle Roy DIGIPUB Port-au-Prince, Petion Ville, Haiti |
| “It was so easy to get the barcode. The process was very simple. I received my barcode within one hour. In a matter of minutes we were able to use the barcode. I am happy with my experience with you.” Michel Moore LogInfo Candiac, QC, Canada |
| “We purchased codes from you previously and we expect to purchase another 10 codes from you within a year. Thanks for a great service.” Judy Jui Judy's Magic Mixes Ontario, Canada |
| “The process was quick and we received our barcodes the same day. We are very happy with your service.” Ann Alari Nemcom International OU Surrey, Great Britain |
| “It was a simple and easy process. I received my barcodes quickly. The service is efficient and friendly.” Fiona Silk Mind Candy London, Great Britain |