Square and QR codes and QR reader

[Ladd022]

thanks in advance for your help.  🙂

I currently use Square on my ipad for selling merchandise at an open air market.  In order to keep better track of my inventory, I'd like to use QR codes and need a QR program that works with Square and I need to buy a blue tooth qr code reader.

Has anyone set this up before and can tell me what reader to buy without spending a fortune?

Thanks again!!

[jjgard · Accepted solution]

I don't believe you can utilize QR codes in place of UPC codes with Square.

This article does talk about how QR codes CAN be utilized with Square:

QR Codes: What They Are And How to Generate One (squareup.com)

[Ladd022]

Thanks so much for answering my question.  I really appreciate it..

I read the article and I don't think that will help me.  I wish it would.  I carry so many different types of items in my booth and I wanted a way to check out a customer faster than waiting for me to search through the items.  I know I can categorize them, but it's still too much searching.  Hopefully, Square will look into this issue and come up with a solution.  

But let me ask you this.  Do you know of a inventory tracking system I could run on my ipad using a QR code scanner.  I know it would run independently of Square, but that would still let me have a count of what I sold during that day.

thanks again, jjgard...

[Candlestore]

I use QR codes as long as your scanner is 2D capable.  I even used the camera on an Ipad to read QR codes.  The Ipad with Square does not read Aztec codes, but did read QR codes.  I use this to track my inventory in Square.  Whatever the QR code is, assign it to the SKU field in Square.  I wanna work on a video for people about Barcodes and QR codes for Square users but have been too busy.  

As long as your scanner can read a QR (2D barcode) and is compatible with Square you can use free software to make a QR code that either the scanner or Ipad can read and search for the item.  I also replied to the original post which maybe below this.

[Candlestore]

I have used QR and Aztec codes in place of 1D barcodes.   You just need a 2D Barcode scanner that works, and find out which 2D codes your scanner reads.  My thermal printer came with a Barcode generator for printing on labels.  So I just print what I want the UPC code to be, then choose the type of barcode. 1D or 2D that my scanner can read.   Make sure the UPC in Square matches exactly your information in the barcode or  print out one barcode and then scan it with Square scanner.   See if the information matches what you want.  I noticed if I type in my UPC code for a 2D barcode and hit <Enter> to save the information it enters a carriage return which puts extra characters after the UPC code.  Meaning I want UPC code 123456789 and hit enter I get a UPC code printed on the Aztec code as 123456789mr or for QR codes of 1234567893100032.  If the extra numbers or letters do not bother you, you could print out your barcode, scan it at Square.  You will get item not found: Would you like to add it.  Select yes or add now.  Name the item... give it a price and your UPC will already be filled in.

[Racquel]

What barcode scanner did you use for scanner QR codes? I’m having trouble finding one compatible with Square. Thank you!

[Candlestore]

@Racquel 

I use 2 different Zebra 2D barcode scanners   Both are USB attached.

This is the one I ordered from Amazon that is wireless to the base that attaches to the USB hub:

Zebra-Motorola-Symbol-DS6878-SR 

This was the first one I ordered to match my white Ipad Stand:

Zebra-DS2208-SR 

The only issue I have is every so often (somedays more than others) I have to unplug the scanner then plug it back in to get it to read.  It is very random and seems to only happen on my one Square Stand and not the other.   So I think it might be in the USB hub not the scanner.  

I use Aztec codes for my Barcodes without an issue besides my human error of trying to get the Aztec code really small.  1/4" square works but not always, a 5/16" Aztec code reads I would say 98% or more and the 3/8" size and larger are no problem.   

Basically my UPC code is the Item Name.

Item Name : 28oz Macintosh Apple

SKU    : 28oz Macintosh Apple

By doing this I can scan items into the virtual terminal, it just thinks the SKU is the Item name.

I keep my SKU to 30 Characters so they are the same in QuickBooks which limits SKU's to 30 Characters.

You can use QR codes as a Barcode but the end up needing to be larger than the Aztec codes, but on a positive note, the Square Stands Front Facing camera will act like a Barcode reader and read QR codes but not my Aztec codes.

Any other questions just ask.

[Candlestore]

@Racquel ;

Here is a quick video just using my Ipad stand to read a QR code when I was first trying things out.... this is before I bought a scanner.

Short video scanning QR Code into Checkout on Square 

[Candlestore]

@Racquel ;

Here is the White corded Zebra scanner scanning a QR code right into my Square Stand:

White Zebra Corded Scanner Scanning QR code to Square