UPC Supplemental Codes

[pcbcomics]

We are a Comic Book shop and we would like to be able to add all our comic books into inventory and then use a bar code scanner to check out customers. But we sell comic books that have what they call a supplemental UPC. It an extra 5-digit bar code to the right of the primary bar code. This supplemental code is used to identify Cover Art variations of the same copy for a comic book. 

Is it possible to modify the UPC to allow these to be scanned?

This PDF explains these supplemental UPC in detail with examples: https://www.diamondcomics.com/SiteData/Downloads/UPCGuide%20forComics10-15.pdf

[PartyManiaMD]

I would consider adding the additional code to the end of the description? EX: Batman Comic 54321 would be the description, barcode/UPC would be the one they generally scan unless they see the additional supplemental code, in which case they could scan the original UPC code and pick the description of the one they want, or they could scan the secondary barcode and the register or Square should pull up the alternate art variation.

I hope this helps, personally anything with multiple variations sharing one barcode really frustrates me because it's just more difficult to set up and track for no reason.

[Candlestore]

@pcbcomics ,

I understand what you are trying to do but I do not think Square can scan the double Barcode as you want.

If you enter the Main book Barcode as a GTIN and the edition as the SKU for the Variation, you might be able to speed up checkout.

Here is an example how to set it up based on your Link:

I do this for Votive Holders I design and based on Options the customer chooses at purchase:

Barcode --- "4 pc slant Votive Box"  variations based on Glass Votive holder (clear or Frosted) and also Based on Led Tea light (White or Multicolor)  So I scan the barcode - 4 pc slant Votive Box then I select the variation based on the above 2 possible options.  The variations are named based on the options.  You will get an Error Warning saying GTIN or SKU is already used but you can do it then have to choose the variation at time of purchase.

Example at Checkout:

Customer comes up with a Book you scan the GTIN.... then you will get a Pop up showing all the Items with that SKU so you can assign which Variation.  The other alternative is to scan the 5 Digit code and you will get all the items to choose from with that 5 digit code.  

This will only work if these items are sold in store, you can not sell these items like this online as there would need to be Human input to choose which one the customer is buying.

The last option which would be the best, but I do not have a UPC +5 to scan to see if it works.  

Is scan the UPC +5 and see what your scanner reads.  If this is as 1 long combined number, you could enter this as a SKU and then use that SKU online and everything would be fine.  Since I do not have a test barcode I can not verify if this would work or not with Square and your Barcode reader.