Why Are My Coupons Not Scanning?

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One of the top comments I have been seeing since the New Year is that your coupons are not scanning at the register.  When I give my Couponing Workshop, I like to talk about some of the boring, “technical coupon stuff”.  My hope is, by doing so, you will be empowered with the couponing knowledge you need to adjust and discuss any situation that may come up while you are shopping and checking out at the register.  Being an educated couponer is the best way to make your transactions quick and stress free.

So, with that said, I’m reposting some information on the New DataBar Coupon Barcodes so you can be “empowered with the couponing knowledge you need” regarding why your coupons may not be scanning.  And when the cashiers says, sorry, we can’t take your coupon because it doesn’t scan, you can start sharing your knowledge about the New DataBar Coupon Barcodes vs the Old UPC Barcodes and the registers not being updated.  If nothing else, they may think you are some crazy person and just put the coupon through to shut you up.  Hey, whatever works 😉

All kidding aside, here is the respost about the new DataBar Coupon Barcodes:

New DataBar Coupon Barcodes

Many of you may have probably noticed that some of the coupons are only printing with 1 long barcode.  There is nothing wrong with this coupon.  This is the start of the new DataBar Coupon Barcodes.

The long Databar Coupon Barcodes have been on coupons for a while long along with the old, shorter UPC Codes.  They have done this to transition over to the new longer Databar Coupon Barcode.  Here are some things you should know about the new DataBar Coupon Barcodes

Why the new DataBar Coupon Codes?

Contrary to popular belief, this has nothing to do with the Extreme Couponing show.  This is has been in the works for at least a couple of years as they transition from one to the other.  Here are some of the reasons for the new code:

The DataBar Coupon is capable of encoding an extremely large amount of information.  Some of the additional information included will be expiration dates, product specifics such as size, weight and quantity required.  Buy including this information it will reduce the misuse of coupons.

Also, companies have the flexibility to make the coupon value any dollar amount.

How it will effect your Checkout

Once all POS systems are updated to accept the new DataBar Code, checkout should be faster and more accurate for the retailer since the coupon can only be used for the product it is intended to be used for.  There should be less cashier intervention necessary.

Companies have the option of leaving both of the barcodes on the coupons so you may continue to see some coupons with both barcodes as well as some with only the long new DataBar Code.

Retailers have had about 6 months to update their registers to accept the new barcode.  Most of the major retailers have already updated their systems however some of the regional stores may not have done so yet.  So, if the barcode does not scan, in most cases, the stores registers are not updated yet.  To use the coupon, they simply have to enter in the numbers above the barcode.  Hopefully, most retailers will have made the changes or are, at the very least, aware of the changes, and will know to input the code.

Source: Bar Code Graphics   Barcodeadvice.org