Sick of manually typing in tracking numbers... is there a scanner that can do it for me?

[anne3322]

Hi all,

Hope you're going well. 🙂

It's occurred to me how much easier life would be if I had some sort of scanner that could read QR codes and barcodes, so that I can upload tracking with a single beep instead of squinting to type out all the numbers manually each time.

(I'm assuming that's what would happen if you scan a QR code found on Australia Post registered letters and satchels, that it would produce the series of numbers that make up the tracking number? Is this correct? Maybe I'm wrong in which case a scanner would be useless?)

I don't know anything about scanners so was just wondering if anybody else does this already and has recommendations of budget scanners that will work well with the eBay website? I have a Mac laptop but one suitable for both Windows and Mac would be even better.

Thanks so much!

[tazzieterror]

Interesting—I have a couple of orders to prepare later, I might have a play with it then.

[anne3322]

Thanks very much to everybody who replied, I appreciate it. This is such a friendly community.

Lots of great information... I really appreciate people letting me know about the various things apps can do, plus the recommendations for AP MyPost Business, I will definitely look into this and what rates they have.

I do currently use eBay labels for some orders, but others can be sent in those prepaid green registered letter envelopes which is where I thought a QR code scanner would come in handy to upload tracking to eBay as quickly and simply as possible.

Yes a "USB handsfree barcode scanner connected to my PC" sounds like what I am looking for. "Just click in the box you want the number to go then beep" is exactly what I want. Good to know it's possible, thanks! 🙂

I'll do some research and hopefully find a good one! Will update here when I get one in case anybody else is looking for this info. 

Thanks again for replying everybody. 🙂

[minimum_56]

When you're looking for a barcode scanner - don't forget to look at ones that are QR 2D compatible.

I purchased one a month or so ago - but haven't actually used it yet. It supposed to scan QR & regular barcodes...apparently.
The instructions were just about non-existent. A single piece of cardboard.

The prices went up dramatically over the past month or so.
In March you could get a wired/wireless scanner that was supposed to be located in Sydney AU (seller registered in China of course) for approx $39-$49.Most of the prices went up dramatically by $15-20 over the past month or so.

[south.coffee]

Bare in mind a QR (Data matrix) code that Australia Post uses, contains a lot more information than just a tracking number. So scanning the QR code with the cursor in the tracking field might transfer the entire contents which could be meaningless.

A barcode on the other hand is only numbers, so that will work better.

A cordless scanner requires a USB receiver which will occupy one port on your laptop, so too a wired version. The wired version is also powered by the USB port, so no battery issues to contend with.

A decent 2D cordless scanner can be purchased for $50.

[rubysplace]

I know that Apple devices can’t scan the QR code’s for the tracking on the eBay app.... I’ve just ran out of the old Aus post pre paid satchels and the new ones don’t have a barcode so I have to enter them in by hand

[4476.iveco]

We just copy & paste the tracking number from MyPost Business

[curraone]

Not helpful Jan   The OP is asking a question about their stock of prepaid envelopes, which you do have to put in manually if you don't have some sort of scanner.

And if you do use MyPost Business, why would you need to cut and paste the tracking?   The integration does it for you automatically.

[davewil1964]

I don't integrate with eBay.

I often generate the AP labels days before I post (especially weekends) and don't want eBay telling a buyer something is posted when it isn't.

As far as the prepaid satchels are concerned, unless they have been purchased in singles, the tracking numbers will be sequential, at least in blocks of 10, so not a lot of editing required to keep up to date. Then C&P from your spreadsheet into eBay. Even in singles, most of a tracking number is static.

It's 20-odd digits, of which about 14 never change.

[4476.iveco]

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@curraone wrote:

Not helpful Jan   The OP is asking a question about their stock of prepaid envelopes, which you do have to put in manually if you don't have some sort of scanner.

And if you do use MyPost Business, why would you need to cut and paste the tracking?   The integration does it for you automatically.

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We have much more tracking for our own website & like to have a personal touch with our customers, which promotes repeats, but everyone to their own way of doing things

[dontmissthese]

You can download all your ebay sales to MyPost and just not pay for them until you are ready to post. It's the action of payment that uploads the tracking numbers to ebay.

I do bugger all label printing at ebay since AusPost started handing out 30% postage discounts.