BarCode Reader...Use It? Like It? Which One For You?

[valuesoftware]

So, I discovered the technology of using a device to scan barcodes for potential books. Read about A Sellers Tool, which uses one type of device. Heard of Scoutpal, but haven't researched it.

Then I read differing threads elsewhere. Some folks swear by the technology. Others say that they don't use them in places where they would be of great benefit because they don't want people to know that they're book dealers. Or don't want to explain what they're doing.

There seems to be two ways to do this? A Sellers Tool uses a PDA with a scanning accessory. Then some other way to use some cell phones? But have heard that the cell phone method is far slower?

 The research I've done shows I can purchase the equipment, new, on eBay for around $360. (A PDA & a scanning accessory)

I'd like to open a discussion about this ....those of you who have used one, please give us your opinions on the different aspects!

PJ

[Bruce Hollingdrake]

Funny you should start this topic today. About 1 hour ago I bought a SD memory chip (2 Gb) to be used for the scanner I will be buying shortly from A Seller Tool. I already own a Treo 650 but the Palm software isn't compatible. I plan on going to my cell provider on Monday to see how much it would be to upgrade to the Treo 700 with Microsoft Mobile 5 on it.

So I'm in the middle of taking the plunge but would also love to hear from anyone that has used it.

What I use now use is similar to ScoutPal. It is from The Art of Books - as I already have an account with them I use their Road Tools which gives me price lookup and rankings on Amazon. I don't use it too often as it is a bit slow but the money I save with books that I don't buy pays my monthly cell phone bill. I really like the idea of blasting through 20 books in a minute with the scanner. Hope it works as well as advertised.

Bruce

** PJ - I'm going to make an announcement on the blog today about the Forum and will probably use your question to try and bring in more users. It may be a slow start here but I will be constantly working on making this a busier place. Hope you'll continue popping by even if it's a touch quite on the onset.
Thanks for starting the topic.

[valuesoftware]

I have found that for most things, the manufacturer of a product would LOVE to have you buy the required additional components from THEM...one stop shopping. However,  you are overpaying for that convenience.

Once had a customer at our store who had bought QuickBooks Point of Sale program, complete with the necessary computer directly from Intuit. They paid $1000.00 more than necessary for that computer. Could have bought it from ANYWHERE else for $1K less. Awful expensive price for convenience. 

The A Sellers Tool site will sell you everything you need for about $800.00.  The same thing can be bought new, for around $360, shipped.  Suggest you check around for pricing on the item you plan on getting before getting it from AST.

PJ

[Bruce Hollingdrake]

I'm thinking of just getting their software/service. I already have a Treo 650, just need to upgrade it and get a scanner.
One question I have though -  my Treo (and the 700 model I presume) has only one expansion slot. From what I've seen it looks like the scanners go into that slot. How do we use the SD memory card and the scanner. What am I missing?

Bruce

[valuesoftware]

Yep...that's a good question. The AST website says 512 minimum, 1 gig recommended Memory. And the Treo 700 only has one slot & not near enough memory. Perhaps you'ld have to use the bluetooth scanner, as from what I gather, the Treo 700w is bluetooth. If I find out more, will post here.
PJ

[Jungle Books]

I use A Seller Tool with the 2gb card.  I absolutely love it - it saves a ton of time and money and easily paid for itself (for me at least) in about 2 months both from finding books in genres I'm not familiar with and also not buying junk that looks good.  The big thing is that its a tool, not a magic bullet.  You still have to know what to scan, so if you are an experienced bookseller of any kind it should really help you.  It doesn't really help with pre-ISBN books so you still have to know what to go after there, but all in all its a great tool to have - unless you live and scout in metro Atlanta, in which case they are terrible and I recommend getting out of the book selling business entirely (but sell me your inventory first).

[Bruce Hollingdrake]

Hey Jungle Books - thanks for that.
What kind of pda are you using?

[Jungle Books]

It's a Dell Axim X51 - I think AST is using a different PDA now, but I only use it to scout so it really doesn't have to do anything else.

[Bruce Hollingdrake]

One thing I couldn't figure out was that it seems most PDAs have one expansion slot.
The systems as described seems to call for a memory card in the slot and a scanner (that presumably also goes in the slot).
Do you use a bluetooth scanner, am I missing something in the description?

Bruce

[valuesoftware]

I've had no luck with my research regarding scanners having card slots in them to insert the ram card. Can't find one locally in a store to examine. All internet searches have been futile. Even asked the question of a seller on eBay, who was pretty un-knowledgeable & couldn't answer the question.

I haven't given up, but I'm at a standstill at present.

PJ

[Bruce Hollingdrake]

OK I just got it from the horses mouth.
I called A Sellers Tool and asked about a Palm PDA in regards to the memory chip and scanner.
As the memory chip needs the slot you must use a bluetooth scanner.

That answers that. I will probably be going ahead with it in the next few weeks. I'll keep you all posted.

Bruce

[wondalan]

Hello all,

Does anyone know if these work for the UK, with pounds instead of dollars? and whether there would likely be any other problems arising from my location?

BTW. I am very pleased to have found such a great and useful site, well done everyone!

Thanks
Al

[Bruce Hollingdrake]

Thanks Al appreciate that.

The scanner uses an Amazon.com database to compare the scanned barcodes with so I imagine everything would be in US$. Other than that I don't see why it wouldn't work - unless barcodes are formated differently there (don't think they are??).

Bruce

[msager]

Drat, I can see it now....another wave of price scanners coming through the ranks.   Just when I thought they would be dying down......

As far as I can find out, these are keyed to AMAZON listings, and bring up the LOWEST PRICE and the RANKING.  However, on any given day I can research a book on Amazon and find four or five at less than $1, and then have the price jump up to $10, 15, or more.  Yet to someone holding a scanner, the book is not worth listing. 

With the Amazon rankings, a rare book would have a poor ranking just because it is rare.  If there were more copies available, it's ranking would be higher. 

Books without ISBN numbers but with ASIN numbers cannot be searched 'on the fly' as the devices use ISBN numbers  Most of the old treasures cannot be searched on the gizmos. 

I'm sure the crowd who use the scanners will say they saved money by using them.  For me, however, there is no substitute for knowing your stock, knowing what will sell for you, knowing your customer base. 

And to think that most of the these require a monthly subscription (AofB, Fillz, etc), is just adding expense  with no end in sight.

OK, I stuck my neck out....have at it.

[Bruce Hollingdrake]

Hi Marilyn,

Good points all..
I may still get one though.
The tool, as with any tool, is only as good as the person using it. I think a beginner would not benefit from it. A skilled hunter though may pick out some surprises. I'll always rely on my skill and intuition first but in some instances I think it can save some time and perhaps point out a few winners that I may not yet have heard of..

Bruce