The computer/POS systen reads binary code not text on a coupon whereas the anatomy of a bar code and how it should be read is published everyday all day via the internet.
3rd incident 04/29/09
Chris Gumez - manager on floor referred me to a Dorothy - whose on medical leave and not returning voicemails 3175798473
DEFINITION:
Bar codes are the most popular of the automatic data entry methods. It is a pattern of parallel bars and spaces of variable widths arranged in a specific predetermined pattern to represent a corresponding number, letter, or symbol. The information in a bar code is contained in the relative thickness and relative position of the lines and spaces within the specific data characters. Scanners convert the bars and spaces into usable information for data entry.
WHY BAR CODES ARE USED:
Bar codes streamline data entry. They are used to increase the speed and accuracy of reading and entering data. It is primarily intended as a machine-readable data management system. Bar codes have received wide spread acceptance because of their low susceptibility to errors in data input. The error rate in human reading of hand written data is 7-14%. The error rate in human reading of preprinted data is 1/300 characters. There is a one in two million error rate for scanner read bar codes. It is considered the most effective data entry method. Most new bar code installations have a payback of less than one year. Credited with accuracy, speed, control, reliability and portability, bar code technology is the most popular method of tracking and transmitting data and is replacing other methods of tracking and transmitting data. BAR CODE ADVANTAGES: Easy to print
Not language dependent *Low error rate Variety of print methods, Full character set, Beam scannable
When looking at a coupon, the codes always start with "5". The next five numbers are the MANUFACTURER'S CODE. This simply identifies the manufacturer. The product you buy will have a matching code on the USP barcode.
Step2The next three digits are called the "FAMILY CODE" and designate the family of products that are included in the offer. Sometimes you can find an item not listed on the coupon that is included. If they are out of stock on the item you see covered by the coupon, check related items... They may be covered.
Step3The next two digits are the "VALUE CODE". These two numbers are VERY IMPORTANT! Just because a coupon says you get $1.00 off if you buy 12 cans of fruit does not mean that is what you have to buy. Recently there was a fruit coupon that read this way but the code really indicated that you have to only buy 4. Some clues to make you check the codes include unual numbers of items needed to get the discount (there are no coupon codes for "buy 12" or "buy 6". You can get a cheat sheet of the codes at the resource link listed below. I carry it in my coupon binder and almost every shopping trip I find a coupon with misleading information. Imagine how much you can save by knowing the codes.
COMPLAINT: I visited the grocer and encountered a problem with the store representative who did not know how to process a coupon, she/he insisted that the writing on the coupon was what they could accept. According to theanatomy of a coupon's barcode, a barcode is a binary read only code which may include several or more than one product. The representative insisted I was wrong and trid to intimidate me by have the store security guard inspect the coupon. Not only was the representative ignorant of coupon bar codes, she illustrated that she was ill trained and made a bad impression of the store by appearing to be discriminative in dealing with customers. The agent outright refused to run the scanner over the coupon's printed code on a manufacturer's coupon. There exists numerous wesites they explain coupon bar coding and how to read a coupon.
I am more inclined to perceive that the representative acted in a discriminatory behavior, was rude and arrogant
Kroger discrimination manager franchise authority
FortWayne, Indiana
U.S.A.
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