We are accustomed to seeing 2 barcodes on all our coupons, well by the end of July that will be coming to an end. That short barcode like the one you see above will be gone. It is being replaced by the longer Databar Barcode.
According to Frugal Finders (thank you for the all the good info!), the DataBar barcode contains much more information than a UPC code does. For example, it accommodates longer manufacturer identification numbers, which check to see if you purchased the correct item. Also, since there is minimal human readable text, this means the end of barcode decoding!
Retailers that utilize DataBar will experience automatic expiration date checking, reduced cashier intervention and improved scan rates. This means your checkout experience should be much less painful and will be faster.
Of course, in order for these coupons to scan, the retailer would need to update their POS system to accommodate the new barcode. Most major retailers like Target and Walgreens already support DataBar barcodes, with other retailers soon to come.
** I am thrilled with the changes, it will be MUCH harder for people (like J’amie from TLC) to commit coupon fraud and use coupons in a way they should not be used. It will also make checkout easier and faster… hopefully!
This is also why the Pop Tarts coupon printed with only 1 barcode.
TucksMommy says
Can I just say I love the way you called her out! People like that are the reason using coupons has become so hard & places like Kroger stopped the double & triple coupons!
heather says
i agree – maybe this new system will bring back double/triple some places? the areas around me still double/triple but with small limits.
Melinda says
FYI – Just got back from Surfside Beach and thr Kroger in Clute still doubled
heather says
very interesting – thanks for the info!
Sammie says
YAY!!!! So does this mean I can go to Randalls today and use my coupons??
Tiffany says
yes! I will be there as well!
Sammie says
Tiffany is there a limit on how many boxes we can buy?
Monica Leal says
i love this! now ppl wont think we are all out to cheat the system!!!!! and i agree w/tucksmommy! WTG on calling her out!
Elaine says
I used that new Pop Tarts coupon last night. Didn’t have a problem. I was hesitant at first, but the cashier never said a thing.
Amber D says
I love the way you called her out! 🙂
Darby says
I don’t remember J’aime.. What happened?
Tiffany says
She commits coupon fraud by decoding the barcode which will be very hard after the changes.
Anonymous says
How does she decode the barcode on the coupon??
Anna says
Oh, snap! I was hoping you’d call her out at some point 🙂 I just can’t believe how dishonest some people are.
June says
Walmart is having trouble with some of the coupons I’m using with just the new databar. The Hungry Jack coupon that expires 7/10 is one. The cashier had to insert that one manually. ome others that I used yesterday gave the cashier trouble, but I can’t remember which ones now.
Tiffany G. says
How does she decode the barcode on the coupon?
Tiffany says
I know it is confusing and interesting, but I do not want to accidentally “teach” anyone how to do it by explaining it. It is just a way that people have found to be dishonest using coupons and the manufacturers are tired of it so they are changing the barriers.
jennifer says
still confused, what is “decoding the barcode”? is it something that might happen on accident?
Tiffany says
No, it is something that people do on purpose to use coupons that won’t beep on items they were not intended for.
wendy says
she actually talked about this on her episode? I don’t remember. I work retail and I have never seen that.I just know that sometimes the coupons will recognize different products by the same manuf. Sometimes they scan as long as it is the same manuf, it will scan.
angie m says
i used that poptart coupon today before i read this article the cashier had to go to customer service to check the coupon out i had printed for the first time in black and white and i felt like they thought i had photo copied it. she then showed me it didn’t have the barcode but they told her to go ahead and take it thanks for your info
Corrin says
LOL, I just finished talking to hubby about me printing in the grayscale *black and white*. I have never had an issue with my coupons that I print off. EVER! I do remember once or twice when I received a coupon in my email it stated must be printed in color to redeem. SO read the fine print ALWAYS!
I do sometimes feel like someone will accuse me of “photo coping” my coupons, and I will just say to them, well if you would like to pay fo rmy color ink be my guess! Also I tend not to argue with cashiers or store emplyoees *if I know for a fact I am right then maybe I will* it gets you no where really, unless you have “black and white” proof. I always tell myself if there is ever any problem I just will not purchas the item. I need to be saving as much money as I can LEGALLY.
I just wish I had some ink…*lol, well money would be nice too/better actualy*…Good night ya’ll! 🙂
Melissa says
Just in case some are not aware- there is a way to show them that it isn’t photocopied (as long as you have multiple copies of the same coupon). In the upper right hand corner, there is a unique # assigned to each printable coupon, the very last digit should be different than on the rest of the “same” coupons that you have.
Julia C. says
Finally some justice for all that! I’m glad they’re redoing the system so people can’t take advantage of it and ruin it for the rest of us!
Melinda says
Good bye to cheaters
Debbie says
I tried using the pop tart coupons today at Randalls on Louetta and customer service said they couldn’t take it because the barcode wouldn’t scan.
annie schafer says
I would love to see her savings after the change.
Stephanie says
Quick question…stores that double coupons, even if it is a DND but starts with a 5…does this mean we will have no way of knowing if it will actually double (if it’s a 5 or a 9)? Thanks!
yeny says
Decoding a bar code thats sick, just another way of stealing some ppl have no shame…
Cynthia says
I used the poptart coupon yesterday at Target and the cashier called the manager over to look at it. I felt like a criminal–she said she would put it throuh maually “this time” put I should check the ink in my printer! I wanted to try and explain it to her but, I thought what was the use.
Tiffany says
This is going to be a problem when they switch over, none of the cashiers or managers will have a clue! Expect some problems. It scanned fine though right?
Cynthia says
She put it through manually–it did not scan. I can’t wait until all cashiers are trained on taking coupons.
Stephanie says
Mine didn’t work today at Target, also. My cashier was really nice and just checked to make sure I purchased three boxes of Pop Tarts.
shelly says
i just printed out your post to take with me to the store
malinda says
WOW I KNEW THREWS REASON I
DIDN’T LIKE HER ON TH HOW !
SERIOUSLY WHO NEEDS TO LOOK
LIKE A BILLIONAIR TO GO
SHOPPING OR 100’s OF MUSTARDS
WHN HER HUSBAND DOESN’T EVEN
EAT IT LOL. P.S. WHERE IS HER
CHARITY CONTRIBTION ???
HAYRAY FOR THE HONEST PEOPLE
AND NON SELF CLEARIERS 🙂
sheri says
I used my 3 coupons for the poptarts at Kroger on FM 1488 and had no problems. Wasn’t sure how it was going to work since I had never seen a barcode like that one. Thanks for explaining the new codes to come.
sheri says
I meant 2 coupons not 3 for the poptarts.
Barb says
I was at Shoprite last week, and a gal there told me that they were taking the show off. She said because of the few, they showed how to be dishonest. Unfortunately it ruined things for us, but in the same breath, fortunately, we have people like Tiffany, and others who show the honest way of doing it right!!!!!!
Kristi says
I am glad they are doing this… I don’t want the manufacturer’s to stop putting out the high dollar value coupons because they are being used fraudulently. Those are the ones that help the most with the “big”savings! 🙂