UPC Codes

[Chef Isaac]

We have the opprotunity to put some of our honey into a store chain. They want us to buy a UPC code.

Anyone ever done this before? What is the process? What is the cost?

Any advice would be great. Thanks.

[GaSteve]

I looked into this a while back. The cost was about $800 and about $200 per year after that (not counting printing) from these folks:

http://www.gs1us.org/

It turns out I didn't need it because the couple retailers I sell to offered to put bar code stickers on the honey jars themselves.

I have also heard that you can get bar codes a lot cheaper through places like this that resell bar codes:

http://www.buyabarcode.com/index.php?/en

The only hitch is you use their company's ID number not your own which may be an issue for retailers.

[Sundance]

If it's a chain then ask them for a list of unused
codes and there is free UPC barcode printing
software out there.

Otherwise figure $50 to $75 per code for a
registered one.

[blueskybeesupply]

Isaac:

We bought a block of 100 codes 3-4 years ago from GS1. Like GaSteve says it is pretty expensive--you have a one time fee and then a yearly membership fee. We have only used 4 of them and I don't think any stores we have sold to have utilized them.

Check out this link, it might be the way to go.

1-1 $ 23.00
2-10 $ 20.00
11-25 $ 18.00
26-50 $ 15.00
51-100 $ 14.00

I have the software to make the codes, I'll make them for you, if you give me the number.

Your becoming quite the Northwest Honey Mogul!

[Chef Isaac]

thanks Jamie!

The ones I have seen are cheaper then GaSteve... a lot cheaper.

[GaSteve]

They will work as will any bar code reseller. Just remember that the GS1 company prefix (first 6 digits of the barcode) identifies their company -- not yours. If your retailers don't care -- no problem. But some retailers require the bar code prefix to be registered to your company not that of the bar code reseller. The only place to get a unique company prefix for your company is GS1. See the FAQ link below from Bluesky's link.

http://www.singleupc.com/faqs.htm#Wh...I_use_this_UPC