Archived: The Official Barcoding Thread

[user2010]

Originally Posted by thunderfromdownunder

Nice. Thanks. Apology accepted.

However if you barcoded in a grocery store then that's just stupid.

If coding in a grocery store is stupid, what do you recommend?

[Leshrac]

Originally Posted by user2010

If coding in a grocery store is stupid, what do you recommend?

DIY stores with blonde cashiers. Some of the home improvement stuff is OFF THE CHARTS expensive and there's so many different things and prices in these stores that there is no way in hell even a seasoned cashier knows what costs what.

Best of all they usualy have a camera free "garden area" with sacks of cement/dirt/etc, allowing you all the time you need to apply your barcodes

[thunderfromdownunder]

Well, anywhere that is normally hard to lift from.

Grocery stores you can just lift the stuff.

[xCloudx]

Originally Posted by xCloudx

So random question. Does Walmart keep a record of WHAT you return and will it raise suspiciousion if you return like 3 of the same reciet-less items? Like I lnow they allow so many returns without a reciet but I didn't know if they kept trqck Pfad what you returned.

Can anyone answer this? Are they going to have a record of WHAT items you returned? And will they say anything if you return the same $100+ 3 times? Obviously, different stores would be used to return. But would the stores all have a record of the list of items I've returned before?

My guess is yes, which is why I don't really want to try it but it is tempting. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[user2010]

I would think that since they swipe your ID for returns that there is some sort of record of what your returning. I wouldn't keep doing the same item.

On that note, my friend was interested about return fraud in Walmart. He thinks that you can easily get caught if you walk in, grab something, then take it to customer service for a return. (You would have the receipt because you actually bought the item earlier using barcoding.) Does anyone have any experience in this? He wants to thank anyone that answers in advance.

[bitterlogic]

Does anyone know what kind of weight variances the self checkouts allow?

My friend was thinking of finding expensive blu rays, and finding cheaper ones around the same weight to code with, but the blu rays range from a couple tenths to a couple grams difference.

[Derision]

Originally Posted by xCloudx

Can anyone answer this? Are they going to have a record of WHAT items you returned? And will they say anything if you return the same $100+ 3 times? Obviously, different stores would be used to return. But would the stores all have a record of the list of items I've returned before?

My guess is yes, which is why I don't really want to try it but it is tempting. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

What you previously returned will not show up in Walmart's system next time you do a return however, how many previous returns you have done will show up.

[cgregory23]

Anyone else have any input on that?^^^^

[Nagatzumi]

I wants to know how to resize the barcode labels.

[Define-Security]

My friend found something at target.

The noreclo razors ring up as "noreclo". So someone could just barcode a $200 razor for $30. Razors seem to resale well on ebay from my friends experience.


This
http://www.target.com/p/Norelco-Elec...0/-/A-11034504
For this:
http://www.target.com/p/Philips-Nore...c/-/A-12852552

[cgregory23]

^^^the expensive one is probably spider wrapped. And I'm pretty sure they would have a policy like"all items over $100 are spider wrapped" so when a spider wrapped item comes to cashier and they see it ring up at 30 bucks.....?

[Derision]

Originally Posted by Define-Security

My friend found something at target.

The noreclo razors ring up as "noreclo". So someone could just barcode a $200 razor for $30. Razors seem to resale well on ebay from my friends experience.


This
http://www.target.com/p/Norelco-Elec...0/-/A-11034504
For this:
http://www.target.com/p/Philips-Nore...c/-/A-12852552

Too bad Target does not have self checkouts. It's a gamble going through the line with a regular cashier.

[Define-Security]

Originally Posted by cgregory23

^^^the expensive one is probably spider wrapped. And I'm pretty sure they would have a policy like"all items over $100 are spider wrapped" so when a spider wrapped item comes to cashier and they see it ring up at 30 bucks.....?

At many of my friends target stores, they seem to tag stuff at random. From what he could tell kitchen appliances and knifes,electronics,and vacuum cleaners were most commonly spider wrapped. He didn't see a spider wrap on the razor but will check again and post back.My friend also checked out walmart and there razors ring up with the model number

[Derision]

The key is finding obscure products cashiers are likely to not know the price of. For example, Target carries furniture and home items. One could barcode an expensive chair as the price of an inexpensive chair. Same thing vases, etc. Look for expensive items that don't look expensive.

[Nagatzumi]

Fishing Poles are good for this!

[LawAbidingCitizen]

Alright. So I know the width of the barcode is what matters, but how do I get the width to be exact? The barcode I'm replicating is 1 and 15/16 inches wide... When I try to use the generators to make a code that size it gets all fucked up and blurry n shit.

[LawAbidingCitizen]

Bump

[LawAbidingCitizen]

one more question. i have a bardecode magic code that is the smallest fraction smaller than the size of the actualy barcode. aside form that the codes are exact. whatre the odds this replicated code will or wont work?

[skygear]

You can use your cell phone and scan, or buy a used scanner off the net to test all the stuff.

[LawAbidingCitizen]

Originally Posted by skygear

You can use your cell phone and scan, or buy a used scanner off the net to test all the stuff.

so a smart phone scanner app has a pretty similar rate of recognizability for barcodes?

[skygear]

Actually better because of the focus issue. But I use a few smartphones and 2 different scanners for testing when ever something comes off a printer.

[LawAbidingCitizen]

alright. the one i made is at 600 dpi is looks pretty legit except for the minor sizing issue i mentioned. BUT, it is a store specific barcode, not a regular brand/manufacturer one. does that make a difference? im not sure if this place has price checkers in store

[skygear]

using Microsoft WORD to resize is a great thing. Or also Photostop

[Nagatzumi]

Here is a code for a fishing pole.
Some poles are like $100, so you can get a nice one for cheap!

Name: Tiger SP Rod
Code: 043388266576
Price: $19.99

[Nagatzumi]

My friend wants to know if he can buy a fishing pole at the self checkout instead of from the cashier at the sporting goods section in Walmart.

[Nagatzumi]

I am selling serials for Barcode Magic 3.1 for only $1 versus $79.95.
Message me if you are interested I only take PayPal.

[Nagatzumi]

Originally Posted by BadShovelhead

Just make sure to CHOOSE THE NO-BAGGING OPTION when you use the self checkout, at least for your barcoded items.

I went to the self checkout at Walmart the other day and I couldn't find a skip bagging option. How do you get to it?

[LawAbidingCitizen]

Originally Posted by Nagatzumi

I went to the self checkout at Walmart the other day and I couldn't find a skip bagging option. How do you get to it?

usually AFTER you scan the thing, itll say bag item, then on screen you press "i do not want to bag this item"

[Nagatzumi]

Originally Posted by LawAbidingCitizen

usually AFTER you scan the thing, itll say bag item, then on screen you press "i do not want to bag this item"

Ok thanks, I'll see the next time I go to Walmart.

[iScreaM]

Would it be possible to peel off the stickers with the upc on like cheaper xbox 360 or ps3 and put it on the more expensive one? Or would it not work because they need the serial numbers to match up to each xbox or ps3?

[Internet_G]

Hi all, I've been reading this thread for the last 6 months or so and thought I'd go ahead and jump in.

so here's My report from reconing the locall Best Buy.

Mission Objectives:
1. Locate items that had a large price spread between similar items of the same brand.
2. Investigate practicality of taking pictures of barcodes with a cell phone.
2.(a) Determine employee response to customer taking pictures of merchandise with cell phone.

Results:
in regard to #1 - Items that fit criteria;
USB thumb drives $16 to $89
Ipod docks - #69 to $249
Prepaid Cricket cell phones $49 to $129 - there may be an issue with getting the phones activated- so maybe it's still worth is solely for the phone if it can be switched to a different carrier.

Vacuum cleaners also looked like they would be worthwhile, but I don't feel like ganking vacuums, so I didn't look that closely. But the spread looked like $200 to $400.

Part of the criteria is also that I want to at least double the amount I spent on the item if I flip it quiclky at a discount off retail - e.g. buy the 64GB stick for $20 and sell it for $50 (instead of the $89 retail).


In regard to #2:
Piece of cake.
I took pictures of bar codes, QR codes, products and boxes. Nobody said word 1 to me.

Matter of fact, as I'm taking pictures of the USB drive bar codes, an employee walked us and said "excuse me, sir" and I thought " oh shit..." but he actually asked if I had dropped a USB stick on teh floor. LOL. I had dropped my own thumb drive whilst doing my recon run. (gotta get that Trucrypt on there)


Since the boxes and prodect have QR codes on them, it would be perfectly natural to put your phone up next to it.

Protip: when you hold the item in your hand to snap a picture, place your thumb near the barcode and use your thumb in lieu of a ruler.

In total, I took about 10 pictures and didn't encounter any resistance or hostile employees.

It's easy to just say your taking notes so you can compare models later on when you decide to buy, or you wanted to check and see if there was an

online discount or coupon available..

[xCloudx]

So interestingly, walmarts in my area started not accepting returns for in-store credit. I've been using family members to return stuff (they don't ask for commission and are trusting). And now they're saying that they can't return it. For instance, they literally took it one day. They took another one to a different walmart about 20 min away and tried to return it. And they refused to accept it. No idea why. I can easily sell on ebay for about 75-80% of value, but it was nice having those walmart cards. I was stocking up on stuff from there and I'm kinda bummed about it haha. Something fun about having $600 to just blow on whatever you see at walmart. Especially when it only cost you about $120.

[Derision]

Originally Posted by xCloudx

So interestingly, walmarts in my area started not accepting returns for in-store credit. I've been using family members to return stuff (they don't ask for commission and are trusting). And now they're saying that they can't return it. For instance, they literally took it one day. They took another one to a different walmart about 20 min away and tried to return it. And they refused to accept it. No idea why. I can easily sell on ebay for about 75-80% of value, but it was nice having those walmart cards. I was stocking up on stuff from there and I'm kinda bummed about it haha. Something fun about having $600 to just blow on whatever you see at walmart. Especially when it only cost you about $120.

Some items they won't take as receiptless returns like hearing aid batteries, for example or anything electronic. It also depends on the cashier, the manager and your story for why you are returning said items. Items that can be passed off as having gotten as a gift work best for returns. With returns, it also helps to be well dressed, well spoken and respectful.

[swpk]

Barcoding clothing is boss for returns, just make sure you "de-stickify" your labels a little first so you can peel off alright.

[Derision]

Originally Posted by swpk

Barcoding clothing is boss for returns, just make sure you "de-stickify" your labels a little first so you can peel off alright.

How do you de-stickify them? My friend has never had a problem peeling a barcode off a box being most boxes have a glossy finish...

[swpk]

Stick them on denim a few times. Sometimes stickers rip off the packaging a bit.

[johnsuebarret]

A friend told me a trick he used for barcoding to be safer and I think its a good idea. You print off the barcode you need and resize it so you can stick it in one of the corners of a debit or credit card. Then when you go through self checkout, hold your item in such a way that you are covering the barcode with a finger and also holding your debit/credit card with the barcode sticker in the same hand so the scanner scans your card instead of the original barcode on the product.

This is safer because it is harder to prove that you did anything wrong. If things go bad, there will be no evidence of you sticking a sticker on the product and it will be hard to deduce what you did because alot of people hold their credit/debit card while checking out so they are ready to pay.

[Derision]

Originally Posted by johnsuebarret

A friend told me a trick he used for barcoding to be safer and I think its a good idea. You print off the barcode you need and resize it so you can stick it in one of the corners of a debit or credit card. Then when you go through self checkout, hold your item in such a way that you are covering the barcode with a finger and also holding your debit/credit card with the barcode sticker in the same hand so the scanner scans your card instead of the original barcode on the product.

This is safer because it is harder to prove that you did anything wrong. If things go bad, there will be no evidence of you sticking a sticker on the product and it will be hard to deduce what you did because alot of people hold their credit/debit card while checking out so they are ready to pay.

Holy shit, that's smart, gave thanks.

[skygear]

OT but directly pertaining to self checkout. -> HD has the "in your face" cameras and screen combos. No matter what I always mess with them. But Someone took it a few steps further. Drew a picture of a penis and a caption "YES!, I suck COCK!" I laughed and then acted offended as the employee noticed and IMMEDIATELY removed the camera combo.

As I glanced around, I noticed each of the monitors had some derogatory comment on them with arrows. Again I pointed it out and they were scrambling to remove ALL of the COMBOS with a pair of wire cutters

[Define-Security]

Originally Posted by skygear

OT but directly pertaining to self checkout. -> HD has the "in your face" cameras and screen combos. No matter what I always mess with them. But Someone took it a few steps further. Drew a picture of a penis and a caption "YES!, I suck COCK!" I laughed and then acted offended as the employee noticed and IMMEDIATELY removed the camera combo.

As I glanced around, I noticed each of the monitors had some derogatory comment on them with arrows. Again I pointed it out and they were scrambling to remove ALL of the COMBOS with a pair of wire cutters

Here at local HD stores they have a public view monitor mounted just before the cashiers podium. They don't have monitors over each self checkout, but they do have individual camera domes mounted over each uscan machine.