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!

[davewil1964]

I prefer my way.

I also check odd looking addresses before generating labels. Saves getting incomplete addresses (like no unit number) which AP doesn't always flag.

[p9games]

$150 give or take for a USB Zebra scanner.  Can hold it or set it in handsfree mode and just wave the label underneath it.

[minimum_56]

The problem with the zebra scanner is that it only seems to scan 'satchels' not any other AP products with a QR codes.

I've purchased a QR scanner. ($40 from the river)

If you scan the QR code you end up with the actual tracking number 'hidden' in all the characters...
AP QR character length seems to range from 43 to 74 characters long across Express Envelope, Satchels & Domestic Letter with tracking. Those were the ones I used.
After you program the scanner to 'ignore' before & after characters you think all is good...

BUT NO - Aus Post doesn't have any 'standard' tracking number length or standard 'after' characters. So you program the scanner to ignore the first 18 characters...that's fine as all the AP QR codes have the same 18 'useless' first characters.

The trouble comes when you try to program the scanner to ignore the 'after' characters. I successfully programmed my scanner to scan Express Envelopes - but it's usless for Domestic Letter with tracking.

I contacted AP on facebook to ask if the codes were available to make my scanner work like the ones AP uses...NOPE (or that's what I was told)

Looks like I have to decide which type of AP product I use the most & code the scanner to read that QR code.
With other AP products I probably have to manually enter any remaining characters...*sigh*

[fred_foofighter]

There is an App called "Barcode to PC" which allows you to scan Barcodes and QR codes with your iPhone and output the result into either a speadsheet or eBay via a Keyboard emulation. The Australia Post QR for tracked letters outputs more than just the Tracking number eg

http://auspost.com.au/track/TMP1969100404001234567892?fm=qrcode:receipt:0

However its possible with a little bit of javascript to strip out the Barcode and enter directly into eBay.

The App is free for non commercial use.

[south.coffee]

I bought a cordless 2D barcode scanner for $20. Put the cursor in the tracking field and scan the barcode on the satchel. QR codes hold a lot more information and need some programming to strip out the unneeded characters.

Even though we use MyPost for labels I use the scanner to manually check the quality of the printed QR code on the label. Barcode printing is too problematic and QR codes are now the preferred option.

A very handy tool and much easier and faster than camera apps.