The humble barcode has been a regular part of grocery store shopping since 1974, with the first ever product being scanned on June 26th of that year. Since then, they have become almost invisible, with some package designs finding ingenious ways to hide or dress up their somewhat garish appearance.
However, with smartphones and apps now becoming a part of our everyday lives, the importance of barcodes is changing. Now, instead of being something the store uses to track inventory, the code can be a great way to find out much more about the product itself. From secrets about the product’s manufacturer, to allergy information and user reviews, here are six amazing things that barcodes can tell you.
1. What People Actually Think of the Product
Before you make a big purchasing decision, perhaps on a vacation, car, or TV, you research the reviews and see what people really think. When it comes to grocery items, however, most people don’t have the time or energy to sit in front of a computer trawling the web for the latest consumer opinions on detergents or frozen foods. But now, if you have any doubts at all, you can scan the barcode of the product and find out what people really think of it.
For example, apps like OpenLabel and Purchx let you scan the label and read through reviews of the products you’ll find in the typical grocery store aisles. A particularly interesting feature of OpenLabel is the ability to create an “honest” label for other people to read, highlighting things that you think other consumers should know. And Purchx has been called the “Yelp for products,” with a database of over 3 million products reviewed by consumers just like you. With a barcode and a scanning app, you can literally tap into a vast collective user base of no-holds-barred opinions.
2. Instant Price Comparisons Across Multiple Stores
One of the many issues facing customers these days is buyer’s remorse, particularly upon finding out that another store has the exact same product for much less than you just paid. You can always try going back to the store for a price match, or returning the item and buying the lower-priced product later. But, that’s all a lot of hassle.
Instead, using the power of your smartphone and the net, you can scan barcodes and instantly see what the price is for this item at hundreds of different stores. Apps like ShopSavvy and BuyVia give you access to a huge database of products, and after scanning the barcode in-store, you can see exactly what the product is going for, including shipping fees where applicable. You can also use this information to get an instant price-match in the store (ToysRUs is very good for this), and can set price alerts if you want to know when the item goes on sale, or dips below a price you specify.
3. Real (and Harmful) Ingredients in a Product
Want to know what’s really hiding behind those complicated chemical names printed on the ingredient label? Well, there are myriad apps available to help you decode them, letting you know in plain English just what is hiding behind the label. GoodGuide, Chemical Cuisine, ThinkDirty, HealthyLiving, and Food Facts give you the ingredients in ways that are easy to understand. Chemical Cuisine has a ratings system, ranging from “safe” to “avoid,” and it can be eye-opening. For example, adipic acid is on the safe list, whereas benzoic acid should be avoided by certain people. Beverages, condiments, frozen meals, and soups are covered. Some of these apps will also suggest healthier, or better, alternatives to the product you’re scanning.