Any ideas on this? Strange added bar-codes on magazines?

[Dr.Phool]

Over the last few months, I've noticed something strange. All of my progressive magazines that are delivered in the mail have an add-on bar-code label on them.

It's just stuff like The Nation, The Progressive, In These Times, Mother Jones, etc. Others such as U.S. News (Which was free from Salon.com) Flying, and Playboy don't have them. Only the left wing mags. Any idea what they could be?

[paineinthearse]

1. Please be more specific

1. Are they on the magazine or on the "plain brown wrapper", so to speak?

2. Are they in the glossy or adhesive lables?

3. Have you contacted the magazines' ombudspeople?

[Dr.Phool]

4. It's adhesive on the cover.

I've subscribed to these for years, and it is a recent phenomenon. Maybe over the last few months.

[7th_Sephiroth]

2. DHS Tracking

cancel your subscriptions

[crispini]

3. Do the other mags you mention have a bar-code already

on them? These big name mags like US News might have their bar code preprinted, whereas a smaller circulation mag might need to have the bar code added.

Or, They Are Tracking You. :tinfoilhat:

[Dr.Phool]

5. They all have a bar-code printed on the cover

This is added.

[zmdem]

6. A bit vague, but

Could be a barcode applied by the Post Office.

If its on the magazine itself, there is a standard barcode for periodicals that has a 2 digit addon, to specify the month or issue of the magazine. I think that would be UPC-A + 2.

[troubleinwinter]

7. For post office sorting by op scan.

[TaleWgnDg]

8. I believe I read somewhere that America's product bar codes are . . .

I believe I read somewhere that America's product bar codes (which are unique to the U.S.) are changing in order to conform with the European product bar code (which is used internationally). All of which may have something to do with uniformity of international trade (globalization).

However, product bar codes are not U.S. zip code "bar codes" as used by the United States Postal Service (the "Post Office") and other mail carriers. One has nothing to do with the other, I believe.

This needs further research/checking.


.

[TlalocW]

9. I'll second that one

I just helped inventory a magic store, and we had to write down the UPC numbers of products underneath the barcode. The owner mentioned how he was getting a new machine or software to be able to handle the larger international barcodes.

The progressive magazines are just ahead of the game - as usual.

TlalocW