DIY IV : UPC Generation by JMcQ
Hey kiddos, do you know how pretty much every large-market item has the so-called mark of the beast (read: UPC code) branded on it for ease in pricing? There is a system to these UPC codes, and certain ingenious people are able to use this to their advantage. While there is a smaller amount of litany about this subject on the internet, there is still adequate information and discussion on the topic to save literally hundreds of dollars with every trip to the large corporate store (Wal-Mart, anyone?). While this is by no means a comprehensive piece on how exactly to screw over large change stores or even to properly explain the ins and outs of the UPC code.
First off, the UPC code (redundant, isn�t it?) is a creation of the Uniform Code Council, located in Dayton, Ohio. A primitive form of the code was created in 1973 by some independent grocers, and the first actual thing scanned under the code was a pack of chewing gum in an Ohio Marsh supermarket in 1974. The UPC rapidly caught on when other businesses saw the ease and reduced work in having an universal code to govern each and every item. Recent civilian use of the laser was definitely necessary in explaining the rapid proliferation of the code.
What seems to be a completely random assortment of lines and numbers really starts to have a use and purpose when one starts looking for the pattern consistent in these UPCs. The UPC code is divided into 12 digits, which are further delineated with series of 7 black or white lines, with a value of 0 to 9. By using a number of codes (illustration #1), one can figure out exactly what the UPC code is. Contrary to popular belief, this number will not be the same as the number listed at the bottom of the UPC Code � those digits that are most commonly seen have other meanings, with the first 6 digits standing for a specific manufacturer�s code, and the following 5 stand for the item. The first 6 digits are assigned the company by the UCC while the latter 5 are given to the product by the manufacture. One interesting thing about this series of numbers � the twelfth digit, sitting off to the right side of the UPC, is actually called a check digit, and is how the scanner figures out whether it read the code right.
So, what originally seemed to be something completely chosen at random � the UPC itself � is actually a very heavily regimented and detailed science. In fact, the creation of the UPC code is so logical that one can use a mathematical formula to always gain the last digit of the 12 digit UPC code from the prior 11. To do this, add the sum of the odd-placed digits (1, 3, 5 , 7, 9 , 11) and then multiply that by 3. That�ll be your first answer. After you have this number, add the even-positioned numbers together, and add it to the first answer. The check digit will always, regardless of addition, be the number necessary to get the answer up to the next 10 (such as 30, 40, 50, etc).
However, simply knowing the ins and outs of the UPC code will not be able to get you that discount on quality merchandise that has been marked up thousands of percent in excess that can be easily gained by using a more down-to-earth method. Sure, one could find exactly what code the UCC has assigned the parent company via a number of information clearinghouses online, but that would involve a large amount of intuition on the part of the individual who wishes to swap UPCs. If I wanted to go and get the UPC for a box of Rice Krispies, I�m sure that a site or two would be able to give me that. However, the problem comes in the various prices stores charge for a box of Rice Krispies. If I wanted to go and slap on a Rice Krispies UPC on a box of Apple Jacks because at Meijer the prior box is 55 cents less than the latter, that would be fine. Giant Eagle may charge more for Rice Krispies than Apple Jacks, and this is why, for proper saving, one must go to some sort of supermarket with pen and pad of paper ready.
When one gets to a store, the true fun can begin. There are truly no limits to what one can change prices on, provided one of two things. First off, the item in question must have a UPC on them to work. This immediately eliminates most fruits and veggies (provided that you pick them out instead of buy them pre-packaged) and meats/cheeses which have the price printed directly on them. This leaves pretty much the rest of the store to prey, and will really not hinder your antics in the least. Some common sense needs to be exercised when getting the barcodes and actually affixing them to product. Obviously, one can write down the barcodes on many a package without ever being noticed or approached, but if employees were to learn what you are doing (say, you are being loud and rambunctious or tell them), they can ban you from the store for as long as necessary. So, provided you leave the store with a large amount of UPC codes of either store-brand foods or otherwise cheap merchandise, the true fun can begin.
Make sure you have internet access and a half-way decent printer for these next steps, otherwise there will probably be no way to create extra bar codes to finish the swindling of multinational corporations like Wal-Mart. With the demise of the great resource http://www.re-code.com , the creation of barcodes has taken a much more textual turn. By going to http://www.milk.com/barcode or any number of other sites, one only need fill in the digits at the bottom of any UPC code to gain a valid UPC to place on any number of other items. The benefit for this web-based programs is that it does allow for a number of different versions of the UPC, including other formats like the 7, 8, and 13 digit barcodes, and even allows one to place text above the code itself. Using a printer that can accurately print straight lines (and is configured pretty well, to boot), one can print barcodes on pretty much any sort of paper. One recommendation here though is that a heavier bond paper should be used, so that affixing the code to the package would be a lesser ordeal.
Common sense again comes into play when one decides what item they wish to get for a much lower price. If one is planning on going through a normal, person-driven checkout, one should use the UPC of a lower-priced item that is somewhat related to the item that they wish to price-doctor. For example, the UPC from a $5.99 copy of the DVD version of Son-In-Law could be conceivably pasted onto the $29.99 version of Fast and the Furious. It would simply not make sense for a DVD recorder to ring up as a $2.99 box of Toastie-O�s. This small use of common sense will probably keep you out of those nasty hovels that the store security work out of and keep your money where it should be � you.
One final bit of advice when you approach the checkout line. First off, don�t sweat it. You didn�t have any clue that that brand new Xbox game was going to ring up as Sale-Xbox, or that Boombox was going to ring up as CLEARANCE � Clock Radio. Before approaching the checkout-line, scan the aisles for those individuals who do not seem to care for their jobs in the least. Various other sources usually tell individuals to go to those cash registers manned by teens, who are more apt to err and not care about their jobs, but make a quick scouring of all the registers � its not only the kids who are inept and don�t give a shit about their jobs. What is even quicker and easier is the self-checkouts, which (at the least busy times) might have a total of one person a number of feet away watching you. Make sure that you have fun with this information, and remember that � it is just information!
Value Left Code Right Code 0 0001101 1110010 1 0011001 1100110 2 0010011 1101100 3 0111101 1000010 4 0100011 1011100 5 0110001 1001110 6 0101111 1010000 7 0111011 1000100 8 0110111 1001000 9 0001011 1110100