UPC Codes
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‎06-07-2021 06:59 PM
1) Does Google Shopping require UPC codes?
2) Some of my items have UPC codes that I use on another site. Does the same UPC code apply to these items here? Pretty sure it does, but would like confirmation.
3) Is there any advantage to adding UPC codes to items that don't require them?
T'anks!
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‎06-07-2021 10:11 PM
UPC is short for "Universal Product Code." Thus, the same individual UPC that you use on other sites also applies to that same, identical item on eBay. It's a "universal" product code, used to identify the same, identical item, all around the world.
If an item that you wish to sell does not have a UPC, there is no advantage to adding your own made-up UPC number, unless you have previously registered that UPC number with the proper registration authorities.
Please do not add UPC numbers to items which have not previously used UPC numbers -- which is basically everything manufactured before about 1974.
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‎06-07-2021 10:57 PM
I would only use them if there is an advantage. Frankly, they're a PITA. But if Google Shopping requires them, then I would add them.
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‎06-08-2021 12:04 AM
upc identifies product, so yes, when ever a upc code is available then it's best to add it to the listing, even if it doesn't require it (but if it doesn't it will eventually so might as well have it anyways) . As for the advantage, some buyers will enter UPC codes when searching for an item.
And it only gets worse since that conclusion...
...There is something about the rigid posture of a proper, authentic blind
As if extended arms reached to pass his blindness onto others.
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‎06-08-2021 03:59 AM
Nope😉
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‎06-08-2021 06:35 AM
As I stated before, don't add a UPC number to an item that has never previously used a UPC, as that is pointless, and a wasted effort. Unless that UPC has been properly registered with the legal regulation agency, you would only be confusing an already confused system.
A "universal" product identification system is rendered useless, if YOU are the only person branding a UPC on an item that has not previously used a UPC, since YOU would be the ONLY person on Earth who would be giving UPC identification to that one particular item.
If you are not the creator and inventor and sole manufacturer of a particular item, don't slap a random UPC number on it, as there may be legal consequences from the actual creators, inventors and manufacturers of the item.
Too many of these on-line vending platforms have been set up by younger individuals who do not understand that UPC numbers didn't exist before about 1974, and ISBN identifiers did not exist before about 1969. Since these numbers have been in existence throughout the lives of these young folks, many of them are under the erroneous idea that UPC and ISBN identifiers have thus been around FOREVER.
Kids these days. . ..
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‎06-08-2021 08:32 AM
"As for the advantage, some buyers will enter UPC codes when searching for an item."
Yep, that some people do. BUT -- if an unregistered UPC number is just randomly branded on something which had never before had a UPC, the UPC will not scan for the buyer, which will only cause confusion on the part of the buyer.
Keep in mind, as well -- there are only a limited number of UPC and ISBN codes available, and manufacturers and publishers routinely eliminate inventory from stores for being out of date, unsellable, unseasonable, dangerous, and so on. And many of those UPC and ISBN identifiers are simply recycled upon NEW products. I worked for a publishing company for a while; and we regularly recycled ISBN identifiers from books that were no longer selling, to NEW books that were just about to hit the shelves. Same goes with UPC identifiers -- since the numbers are limited, it only makes sense that they are reused as old stock is removed, to be replaced by new stock.
I see too many eBay sellers assigning UPC and ISBN identifiers to vintage items from before 1969, which had never previously been branded with either a UPC or ISBN. This only leaves the seller open for an "item not as described" case, since the UPC or ISBN identifier used by the seller may not actually match the item specifics of the product that they are attempting to sell.
Just not worth the headaches!
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‎06-08-2021 09:47 AM
No advantage?
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‎06-08-2021 09:49 AM
That huge South American river now requires them for all products on the main site, so I do have some reserved for use. But frankly, I'd rather save the time and energy and not use them.
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‎06-08-2021 10:01 PM
But what's the point in assigning a random UPC number to a single item, since you haven't registered that UPC number anywhere that officially matters? Your buyers won't be able to scan that UPC and come up with ANY information about your item, since that UPC is not registered.
I realize that the Big "A" demands that UPC numbers be used; but are they really expecting their sellers to commit fraud, by using useless UPC identifiers?
Each of the digits in a UPC number is there for a particular reason -- they are not simply random numbers, pulled out of the air. Using a phony unregistered UPC code is simply a bad way to do business.
You could be doing more harm than good to your business, by using useless UPC numbers.
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‎06-09-2021 12:36 AM
yeah... well I have experience with manufacturing products as I did it for over 15 years and I can tell you right now that UPC codes are optional when having many different products made, and you pay to have a UPC code assigned to that product, the manufacturer is connected to a universal network where once a UPC is created it goes into the system. You can google UPC codes and various of sites will come up that will tell exactly what that code belongs to.
Can a product have a faulty UPC? The answer is Yes, comes to mind is cheap knock off products from China will sometimes have a fake UPC attached. Sometimes that UPC belongs to a completely different product...but it's rare for official products to have fake UPC's and there is generally a record of the UPC that can be found. That is why sites like mentioned above exist, they only have access to database of registered UPC's - same with many apps that are available where you can scan products UPC code in a store and it will tell you the price of that item - it's called a MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price).
And it only gets worse since that conclusion...
...There is something about the rigid posture of a proper, authentic blind
As if extended arms reached to pass his blindness onto others.
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‎03-01-2025 12:11 AM
Hi everyone,
Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.
Thank you for understanding.
