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UPC Coding

Submitted by Gwen Heimer on Tue, 09/30/2003 - 22:24. Best Business Practices SIG | Chandler Guild Training Ground | Chandler Best Business Practices

Hi,

Does anyone have any knowledge of what it takes to have your products UPC coded? Is it expensive? Are there any legalities associated with the coding? Any information would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Gwen Heimer

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UPC Coding

Submitted by Brian & Terry B... on Wed, 10/01/2003 - 06:09.

I can offer a bit of information as I have looked into this. Some info may have changed since I checked but here is what I learned.
In order to barcode your products you must first join the Uniform Code Council. The cost is $700.00 for business with gross sales of $0 to $2 Million annually. You can't just assign numbers to your products and begin barcoding. The first 5 numbers of the barcode represent your manufacturer code. The second 5 are your product codes. Your $700.00 buys your mfg. code and your first 100 product codes.
Once your numbers are assigned you can either purchase barcoding equipment or you can pay a barcode printer to print them for you. You'll have to weigh the pros and cons of both ways and decide for yourself which suits your needs best.
Just last year, the UCC came up with the brilliant idea of charging each member $150.00 annual dues.
That is what I know about barcoding.
My opinion is that it is set up to discourage small businesses from barcoding, probably most influenced my the mega corp members. After all, the collective manufacturing capabilities of small buisinesses in most maufacturing fields would overshadow the big guys in any given market and we can't have that now can we?
Brian

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Brian makes a very key statement here

Submitted by Soyawax Mike on Wed, 10/01/2003 - 09:09.

Brian makes a very key statement in his Reply above:

"My opinion is that it is set up to discourage small businesses from barcoding, probably most influenced my the mega corp members. After all, the collective manufacturing capabilities of small buisinesses in most maufacturing fields would overshadow the big guys in any given market and we can't have that now can we?" -Brian/The Candlelier

Effectively competing with the "Big Guys" is precisely what Village Chandler/Chandler Guild has been established to accomplish. Once the Table of Twelve establishes the legal entity that Chandler Guild will work through, this new Chandler legal entity can become a UCC Code Member. Then the actual work of building "Village Chandler" as a nationally recognized brand name that will benefit all in the Guild can really begin. We do need UCC Codes to access the mass market. These are the benefits that will be available to Guild members. Why have 100 of us pay $700 each for UCC Code? That is $70,000! Think of what Chandler Guild can accomplish in the national marketplace by paying the $700 for the UCC code and then using the other $69,300 to pay for high profile "Village Chandler" exhibits at national trade shows to sell our brand name in the mass market. Let's stick together, and we will succeed much more strongly than any of us could ever dream of alone.Chandler Guild is based on networks of people power. That power will go a very long way to propel all Guiild members into major markets.

It's important for all Chandlers to be patient and persistent to keep this
process moving forward. We will "rock the boat" of the "big guy status quo" in this industry. We will build Chandler Guild as a force to reckon with in the national and international candle marketplace.

Onward and upward.

-Mike

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Thank you Mike.

Submitted by Brian & Terry B... on Wed, 10/01/2003 - 18:04.

Mike, it is difficult to shift from small business thinking to guild thinking. Your solution was obvious and I missed it completely. That would be great if we could come together as a member of the UCC. Then our largest expense would be in purchasing labeling equipment and product numbers and that would be minimal. With the giant membership fee taken care of we could easily afford enough numbers for our individual products.
I have looked into some barcoding equipment ( Wasp's Nest Suite - $170.00 - includes scanner and labeling software) that with a laser jet or thermal printer would be quite effecient.
This capability would open a huge number of previously closed doors for all of us.
Thanks Mike for seeing and sharing the larger picture.
Brian

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Excellent Comment!

Submitted by Carol on Wed, 10/01/2003 - 10:41.

Yes! Yes! Yes!
Thank you Brian for your much needed comment! I also checked into getting a UPC code. Received the same info. Was most excited to hear from Mike R. with regard to the Chandler Guild feelings on the subject. I so totally agree! As we work 'together' we will see a huge difference. There is strength in numbers! I know we've all heard this before, but it is true, especially with regard to business decisions.

A BIG THANK YOU!

Carol & Dan
The Fort Village Chandler's
beth's soy candle co. LLC
bethssoy@ticon.net
Fort Atkinson, WI
920.568.9770

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