I don't know if all bar code readers universally automatically can translate a bar code into the price of an item and surely the same item is differently priced in different stores. But I have frequently encountered items on store shelves that were not priced which, it seems to me, made them unsalable. Some stores have bar code-to-price translators at specified locations but it is frequently inconvenient to carry an item (which might be bulky) to a reader station. It should be possible for a store to supply mini-computer sized readers to entering customers as they enter the store thus obviating the necessity for clerks to price shelf items.Alternatively inexpensive readers might be made commercially available with a slot for a store memory chip to be picked up on entering to price all items as read.
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Two other solutions:1) Make it a legal requirement to put the price on the shelf. It is in some countries (e.g. GB).
2) Some supermarkets in France have a small calculator-type display on the shelf showing the price. I think they have some short of device which allows them to re-program this when they re-stock the shelves.
A bar code reader cannot give the price unless it is pre-programmed with it. The bar code contains the manufacturer's number. If the same item is sold in more than one shop it will often have the same barcode.
DO NOT buy anything unless you know the price. I don't, but then I'm mean.
As much as I prefer not to buy an unpriced item, there are instances here in Helsinki where the item is available in only one store. The price becomes evident when you bring it to the cash register but it is a PITA (pain in the ass).
I thought about this same thing too. It would really come in handy for people who are on a budget. Why not take it a step further? I could purchase the hand held device, like you said. But instead of just recording the price of that particular store, it would enable me to compare pricing. Another great feature would be to have information such as calorie, carb, protein, & fat counter built in. (I know some items have odd servings, but the handheld scanner could be used to break it down to your specific serving/s.) As far as getting the codes from each store, they could just provide it via download from the internet (They already have their ads online). Another advantage would be storage of a receipt. Stores are starting to limit the number of returns without a receipt. I already used two of my three per year at Best Buy! Maybe stores could provide the scanner and I just have to use my memory stick, they are certainly cheap enough that I could purchase one soley for this purpose. Great idea! I really am like this website, great concept!
There was a special on nightline a few years ago about a company IDEO who have a unique and very successful process of innovation (I'm imagine they have been discussed here before). For this special they designed a < href="http://www.ideo.com/portfolio/re.asp?x=50029">new shopping cart. One of the features that this cart had was a scanner that would allow you to check prices and keep a total of the items in your cart. It is a good idea.
I've seen this is stores before.
I think it was a K-Mart, or such a store. The bar code readers were attached to posts in the aisles. You could check the prices of whatever you wanted. It was fun. Maybe a marketing guru could spin it to be an attractor for a business beyond it's practicality.
RIFD's will supercede barcodes, but it is the same concept. Targets, Walmarts, and other stores have stations where you can scan the barcode to look up a price, so it is a good idea that is spreading.
The problem i see is this, retailers use hand held scanners to do different pricing tasks. These small scanners connect to small portable printers to make a price tag. Give them to consumers and next thing you know they'll be printing their own prices.