Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hello all,

My business, Precision Audio Restoration, www.precision-ar.com, is a small, home-based, part time, supplemental income generator that I run for "fun and profit", where I take customers` recordings, (disc, tape, wire, cylinder) remove noises, (clicks, pops, tape hiss) and burn to CD, complete with graphics printed directly on the CD itself for a more professional looking product.

During the setup phase of the business, I invented a device, the Derumbleizer, which actively cancels audible turntable rumble almost three octaves higher than any rumble filter, while leaving the music totally intact,  for use in restoration projects.  Over the last year or so, it has been developed into a retail product that is currently offered for sale on my website only.

My question is: where can one go to purchase a barcode for a product, so it can be distributed and sold in retail outlets?  And do I need another barcode for each variation of the product? (black finish, clear aluminum finish, moving magnet cartridge, moving coil version, signal processor, etc)

I`ve seen sponsored links on Google for purchasing barcodes for $29.95; are these companies reputable, or are there any "gotchas" associated with them?

Thanks for your input.

Joe

Joe, This is where you want to start, GS1 US Corporate Home. They are essentially the first step to getting a bar code. Registration for membership is with them and required for you to receive any bar codes. You can save a few bucks by doing that yourself instead of paying a third party.

So check out this site and they should be able to answer any of your questions. Let us know how it goes.

~Eric

http://www.uc-council.org/gs1us.html

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~Eric
JE Design Group, LLC
If all you do is what you`ve done, then all you`ll get is what you`ve got.
www.jedesigngroup.com

Joe - Eric beat me to the punch - second his suggestion. If you`re going to adapt to retail and use bar codes (good idea, IMHO), start with the link Eric provided.

To your question about different bar codes for your different models - quick answer is "Yes". Each SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) needs a separate bar code. Numbering your products is your call and system but the SKU number will become part of the bar code number sequence.

R@

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

Joe`s question still stands, and I have the same one.

Here are some examples of the barcode `stores` Joe may be talking about.

• http://www.upccode.net/
• http://legalbarcodes.com/
• http://www.buyabarcode.com/
  

If you follow the link to the UC-coucil, eventually you will be asked to become a member of the UCC. This costs $750+ to apply and $150+ a year to maintain your membership. Membership provides a company code (the first group of numbers) and the ability to have 1,000 different product codes (the last group of numbers).
Been there, Done that.

My guess is that these stores are buying a memberships and reselling each individual product number (1,000). 

• Am I right?
• What are the legal and retail implications of this?
• Has anyone out there done this?

Jeff (not Sloan),

Yes, there is a cost to get in the barcode game. Joe has to weigh the costs over the long-term and whether he has plans to introduce more and more products down the road.

I don`t know for sure, but I suspect the barcode resellers you mention are doing what you outlined - they are more than likely "legit" and just reselling individual codes. Most companies I have been involved with became members because they planned to stay in the game for the long-term. A decision Joe will have to make.

R@

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

Jeff,

Thanks for that. I wasn`t really considering that AudioPoohbah, with limited products, probably would best be served that way. That being the case, I think the links you provided are excellent examples and as R@ mentioned, most likely reputable. (Can`t imagine what kind of person would steal from people looking for bar codes) [Picturing a guy in prison]....."Hey whatcha in fer?" Aww dude, I was caught selling bogus bar codes and then emptying people`s bank accounts! I can`t believe it! I thought nobody would notice! It was the perfect crime! Bar Codes! Ironic though now that I`m behind bars!

[back to reality] We opted for membership knowing that we`d be putting the numbers to use over time. It`s comforting to know that they`ll be there for us in any way that we choose.

-------------------------

~Eric
JE Design Group, LLC
If all you do is what you`ve done, then all you`ll get is what you`ve got.
www.jedesigngroup.com

Thanks all!

I see no more then a dozen products (actually variations on the one theme) in the future, given the niche market I`m in.  I`ll check out the links provided by Jeff (not Sloan), actually have already been to one.

Joe

Actually, that basic membership GS1 offers at the $750+ with $150+ annually, only gets you 100 number.

It`s pretty much a rip.

 

Another option is Simply Barcodes. Not quite the $29.95 deal but they are somewhere around $85 for the UPC barcode.

Great testimonials.

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