I have received several emails & comments from fans who are concerned that their coupon is missing barcodes. So I figured I would do a blog post on the topic so that other’s can solve the missing barcode problem 
Now remember how I am against coupon fraud and I know tons of yall are too. Well things are about to change!
The company that produces the bar codes for coupons is called GS1. They have over the past couple of years been making changes as to how bar codes are on coupons. They have been putting the “Databar Barcode” on coupons. Take a look at how they have changed.
Coupons that were issued before 2008 had two UPC bar codes on them like this:
Then in 2008, the bar codes changed to look like this:
You can see how the actual bar code size has shrunk and the second bar code is now a Databar Barcode. Now the coupons are gradually converting to look like this:
GS1 DataBar™ barcodes carry more information in less space than U.P.C. barcodes. The GS1 DataBar was created to identify small and hard-to-mark products such as loose produce, jewelry, and cosmetics. The GS1 DataBar can also carry serial numbers, lot numbers, and expiration dates, adding visibility to your value chain, and providing the opportunity for collaborative solutions that support product authentication and traceability, product quality and effectiveness, fresh variable measure product identification, and couponing. GS1.us.org
This is awesome news because now people will no longer be able to scam the stores, use coupons on wrong products & much more. The only problem is, is that most stores have no updated their systems so you may have some problems checking out. You might have to inform your cashier of the new change if they have any problems. Most stores scanners will not pick up the coupon so ask if they can use the hand scanner to get it just right.
If you are interested in learning more, you can visit the GS1 website and find more information there.
Very informative and helpful…Thank you so much Hun.
I was unable to use a coupon this Saturday at Walmart because the checker said “it is missing a second barcode”. So lost out even though I bought the products. Another one without 2nd bar code scanned fine Does not seem fair, at least in my experience
I was one of the 1st people I think to have issues with this. i tried to use a Kelloggs coupon in my local market around the 2nd of January, and it happened to be new w/o the old bar code. The check would NOT even try to scan it!! At that time I thought it was a coupon issue, so I emailed Kelloggs, emailed several of the coupon newsletters, then finally after seeing i had printed out dozens of those new coupons with no old bar coding, I re-downloaded the printer software for the coupons, and thought I was going to have to shred and recycle all of those coupons. It dawned on me to do a “Google” search, and voila, I found the answer about the new type of bar coding, and all of my coupons were find! In the mean time, I got a very nice email back from Kellogg’s explaining the new coding, plus some of the old coupons to use just in case my market had not updated their system. I have heard that some Wal-Mart stores have the registers “sounding” the beep like it did take the coupon, BUT when you look at your register slip, the amount does NOT come off. I have not been to my local one yet
, but so far at WAGS, etc I have not had issues. What a nightmare. I spent two days on this at first, before the information got around. I am just happy it is okay, and was not my computer, printer, software etc.
It is gonna stink when all coupons are like this for residents in the town I live in. The stores have said they are aware of the changes but the barcode does not present their system with as much information so they will NEVER accept these. If all coupons are like this the stores in my area will cease taking coupons altogether. As is now I can only use about half of the coupons I get for products I use because none of the stores will take them.
All the internet coupons I’ve printed recently have just the new barcode. The only place that will accept them is Walmart. We also have an HEB and a Randalls here, but their systems have not been updated, so HEB most of the time will not take them and Randalls refuses to manually enter any type of discount. So, I take my coupons to Walmart and if it’s a sale item I have them price matched.
I went shopping at my local market and the cashier would not except any of my coupons without the 2nd bar code- she accused me of “trying to scam” the store! So I missed out on saving $ 100 bucks- very dissapointed and its not like I have a ton of stores to choose from. I hope stores update there systems or realize this coupons are going to help them out a great deal from real scammers!!