I hate UPC codes plastered all over my tools!

[FlaGman]

What’s with some companies printing UPC codes directly on the tool? I first noticed this first with Knipex, but Wera, PB Swiss, and Vessel are also repeat offenders. The PB Swiss orange acetate handled driver second from right came today and it’s a beautiful tool except for the ridiculously large white UPC code. The Heyco tool at the far right is an example of how it should be done, no UPC code just manufacturer and model.

I guess I can remove the codes with acetone from the rubber handles, and wetsand and polish the acetate handles, but why do I have to? What ever happened to stickers and/or hang tags? Why put a permanent price code on a tool? It just seems like such poor taste…

 

[mike93lx]

Poor taste? It's a tool, not jewelry. If it reduces stuff getting thrown away, I'm on board.

 

[micromind]

Just think of all the money the manufacturers save by not having to print all those pesky stickers..........

Of course they'll never reduce their prices to reflect the savings, it'll all go to executive bonuses.

 

[bassJAM]

It saves the cost of the label material and adhesive, the transportation to ship rolls of labels, warehouse space to store rolls of labels.

Much easier to install a piece of equipment that can digitally print the UPC on-line and you make changes to different SKU's on the fly by loading a new code to the printer. No more loading a new roll of labels when you run out and/or need to do a changeover so it's a labor savings as well. And less waste if that sort of thing bothers you (not only the label material but also the backing that the labels are "stuck" to on the roll before being applied).

I couldn't care less what's printed on my tools as long as the required info is on there.

 

[mike93lx]

Just think of all the money the manufacturers save by not having to print all those pesky stickers..........

Of course they'll never reduce their prices to reflect the savings, it'll all go to executive bonuses.

What if, and hear me out, I know it's crazy, what if those savings offset increases elsewhere?

Wages go up annually, as do raw materials and energy, generally. Companies need to find savings to keep costs under control, not to just pass on price reductions

 

[finn]

I never heard of cost reductions to reduce the price of an it. Cost reductions offset increases in other areas. Also, cost to design, develop, source materials, produce, market, and distribute have on a minor impact on what the selling transaction price is. Competitive pressures are what drive selling (transaction) price.

Do you think a $900 Apple phone actually costs $800 more to produce than a $100 generic phone?

 

[Blueshound_GJ]

I understand OP's annoyance, but honestly I'd love to have UPC embossed on all tools and machines. Easier to reorder the exact same item, or parts, or view the owners manual - just pull the UPC up on the phone. Also, no stupid stickers to peel off and use solvent etc.

 

[Dave455]

PB Swiss offer a choice - you can order a tool in a sealed package with the barcode on the pack, in a box of 10 with the barcode on the box, or no packing, with the code on the tool.

If you have one of the hard handle coded tools, the code wipes off with a trace of spirit, or simply over time.

The soft handles are harder to wipe.

 

[FlaGman]

I would understand having a permanent UPC code on your car, or a motor, or an appliance but all those things have stickers. Some things are beautiful in their function and design. The codes often seemed to be slapped on there without thought to how it looks. If I bought a Wilton bullet vice I would not want a UPC code permanently emblazoned on the surface. The whole idea seems to cheapen the aesthetic which is at least part of the appeal to a premium tool.

 

[PDX]

This drives me up the wall. They finally found something worse than stickers that don't come off cleanly..

 

[larry_g]

Just think, 50 years from now some collector is going to say because the UPC was removed this tool is only worth scrap value....

 

[bob15]

Maybe if you use them you will find they wear off.

 

[tarmy]

Maybe if you use them you will find they wear off.

Yeppers!

All about appearance….

I get having nice things that don’t look like a billboard or ad for the manufacturer, and I get that UPC labels in all “stuck on” forms are ****…but these are tools and usually tools get a worn look that represents, to me, a good look that you are recovering your tool investment.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Can't say that I really notice them. On the plus side, they kinda help index how many rotations you've got into a fastener.

-Ryan

 

[PDX]

I do get it, but function doesn't need to be so glaringly...ugly. This is just seems like lazy execution from 'premium' brands and/or their suppliers. "Just zap it on there nice and big, who cares!"

 

[mike93lx]

"Just zap it on there nice and big, who cares!"

I agree. Who cares? Besides the couple folks here.

 

[fourjeepin]

If it is a sticker in my possession, it has to come off. Tags in clothes, the do not remove tag on mattresses, and even the emblems on a car are all removed.

Strangely though, the printed UPC doesn’t both me.

 

[zendriver]

Apparently nothing new. From over ten years ago.

Removing barcode on Knipex pliers

I recently received my warrantied Knipex pliers in the mail. As expected, I see a barcode printed on the handle so my thought was no problem, I'll just rub it off with gasoline and rag. After trying a few times, it barely removed the ink at all :mad: I was surprised as I have done this method on...

www.garagejournal.com

Maybe just deal with the fact they are there? They are usable tools.

 

[PDX]

Do you guys complaining about the people complaining about the warts on their tools apply this logic to everything in your life? Your cars? Your houses?

Your significant others...?

 

[zendriver]

Do you guys complaining about the people complaining about the warts on their tools apply this logic to everything in your life? Your cars? Your houses?

Your significant others...?

Wife and I were just discussing I have plenty of other obsessions. I freak when something that has a an adhesive label that obviously needs to be removed, but when I try to remove it, it like it's held on with super glue.

 

[Zewnten]

I’m more annoyed tools aren’t stamped anymore it’s all laser etching BS that rubs off. When I break it they tell me how do they know it’s their brand? Cornwell I’m looking at you.

 

[neophyte]

PB Swiss offer a choice - you can order a tool in a sealed package with the barcode on the pack, in a box of 10 with the barcode on the box, or no packing, with the code on the tool.

If you have one of the hard handle coded tools, the code wipes off with a trace of spirit, or simply over time.

The soft handles are harder to wipe.

It’s basically this.
Most manufacturers offer a variety of packaging options,
from individually carded,
to individually bagged,
To sets including multiple items,
to bulk packs, etc.
Some stores just buy bulk packs of popular screwdrivers or pliers, or whatever and dump them in a rack or jar by the cash register.
The bar code saves stores time looking each individual up to ring the item up.
It saves the manufacturer time, if an employee can just scan drivers, and let a computer bing if the wrong thing gets scanned.
For companies that put together standardized tool kits, they can scan the barcode on each tool to make sure the right tools are going in each set.
Yes, it’s ugly, but it’s practical, so until someone comes up with a discrete UV version for the barcode and scanner, which manufacturers adopt, the barcodes will continue uglifying tools.

 

[Pexto]

Do you guys complaining about the people complaining about the warts on their tools apply this logic to everything in your life? Your cars? Your houses?

Your significant others...?

Yes. Exempli gratia, I have been known to take a black permanent marker to the logo on "The North Face" clothing. They're not paying me, why should I advertise for them?

Although the next time I do this, imagonna be selective. When I'm done it will read "HE NO ACE".

 

[justtools]

Maybe if you use them you will find they wear off.

woo, woo, woo. What are you saying. This becomes a whole other topic of the purpose of tools. Most on here are in the collector category when it come to tools.

 

[liliysdad]

Yes. Exempli gratia, I have been known to take a black permanent marker to the logo on "The North Face" clothing. They're not paying me, why should I advertise for them?

Anywhere else and I would assume this is a joke....but here....well, just damn.

 

[southalabama]

Just wait until you are like Jason Bourne and wake up with a chip under your skin.

 

[unslow1]

I think I would find them annoying as well. If I have any on my tools I haven't noticed.

 

[dnschmidt]

The UPC codes don't bother me. ****** tools bother me. Send all of the offensive Vessel and P. B. Swiss screwdrivers to me and I will properly dispose of them.

 

[Pexto]

Anywhere else and I would assume this is a joke....but here....well, just damn.

Yeah, OCD can take different forms. I like the TNF gear, I just don't care for big gaudy logos. And if you think taking a Sharpie (TM!) to a patch is OCD, do you have any idea how long it takes to pick apart the embroidered patch on a Sitka cap? Best ball caps ever, but ... did I mention ... I don't like big gaudy logos!

 

[dscheidt]

Anywhere else and I would assume this is a joke....but here....well, just damn.

I won't wear stuff with garish branding, unless it's something I'm willing to support (or you gave it to me, and I liked it enough not to give it away). the north face's logo is pushing it on some stuff. I looked at some tool bag stuff recently, and a number of the vendors had their logo so prominently on the goods I didn't look at it.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I do not like stickers on my tool boxes. I bought a package of 8.5"X11" fridge magnet sheets at STAPLES. If a sticker interests me, it goes on a fridge magnet. I keep sticker in metal TURTLES candy boxes.

 

[rharman]

Wife and I were just discussing I have plenty of other obsessions. I freak when something that has a an adhesive label that obviously needs to be removed, but when I try to remove it, it like it's held on with super glue.

Goof-Off is your friend....

 

[The Cobbler]

I guess tool manufacturers don't cater to people with OCD . how dare they?
I didn't read all of the posts, but a reason for it could be not having to worry about the sticker falling off and then imagine the curfluffel at the big box stores.

 

[charbar]

God I hate this forum board but I keep coming back. Send that thing to me....the UPC code or whatever will be worn off in no time. But then it will be used and not pretty so now we cant admire it. But **** even if we don't use it and we wipe off the marking then now its's not original!!!!! Oh damned if we do and damned if we dont.



I'm just worried that my Snap on screw driver has these scratches in it and it will never be the same....devalued forever.






Literally just warrantied that 6 hours ago but I wonder if my Snap On guy will re warranty that so I can get a nice shiny tip to match my pristine handle......for resale value or something you know......

 

[richfinn]

I quite like bar codes and weird Japanese logos printed on stuff, but I'm a lifelong Sci-Fi geek and it kind of makes me feel like I'm finally living my dream/nightmare in some sort of dystopian future.

Phillip K **** and Ridley Scott have a lot to answer for

 

[gungatim]

I never heard of cost reductions to reduce the price of an it. Cost reductions offset increases in other areas. Also, cost to design, develop, source materials, produce, market, and distribute have on a minor impact on what the selling transaction price is. Competitive pressures are what drive selling (transaction) price.

Do you think a $900 Apple phone actually costs $800 more to produce than a $100 generic phone?

You should hear about this contraption called the Model T. This guy, Henry Ford is his name, worked really hard to reduce costs in order to reduce the price of his product. He knew the lower the sales price, the more he would sell.

Lots of companies have been doing the same thing for a good 100 years now...It's called "business".

 

[finn]

You should hear about this contraption called the Model T. This guy, Henry Ford is his name, worked really hard to reduce costs in order to reduce the price of his product. He knew the lower the sales price, the more he would sell.

Lots of companies have been doing the same thing for a good 100 years now...It's called "business".

Ford’s price reductions were largely largely via production streamlining and content deletion, eg painted pressed steel in lieu of polished brass on previous models, and moving assembly lines in lieu of stationary builds.

Orior to Ford, the target market for automobiles was the wealthy. Ford’s market target was people with limited means who would live with a minimalist car. That’s exactly what the rants against SK Are complaining about. They aren’t Duesenburg tools. He was selling on price to an untapped market. That’s not what Apple, SnapOn, Lexus, Toyota, Daimler do. They all price based on what their target market will bear, not on what their cost is.

Today’s cost reduction equivalent to Ford’s moving assembly line is moving production offshore.

 

[liliysdad]

God I hate this forum board but I keep coming back.

I can’t explain it either….nowhere else on earth does such a willfully miserable conglomeration of folks gather to find new reasons to be upset.

Yet I keep coming back time after time and am somehow still surprised.

 

[jblnut]

Stop buying new tools. Spend the time to go to thrift stores, auctions or wherever one may find old or used tools.

It’s a tool and it’s made to be used. I honestly don’t understand the crowd that says that although I am supporting your company financially because I purchased your item I WILL NOT display your logo unless you pay me. Good grief. That company will be perfectly happy to read that you block their logo or remove it completely as long as you keep purchasing it. They don’t care.



You know what bugs me ? Ketchup on steak. That is inexcusable.

 

[scooby074]

Tool polisher thread.