Barcode Scanners for Resellers: What They Do, Which Type, and When to Skip One
Barcode scanners look like warehouse equipment, and for a reseller with a few dozen items they are. But once you have a few hundred listings spread across bins, or you source books and media in volume, a cheap scanner can quietly save hours: no more typing SKUs, no more hunting for "the blue one, bin 14, maybe".
This guide explains how scanners work, the types that matter for resellers, how to pair one with a simple SKU label system, and when your phone camera is all you need.
Quick answer
- Under a few hundred items: your phone camera and a written SKU on each bag is usually enough. Skip the scanner for now.
- Growing inventory with bins and SKU labels: a basic wired USB scanner is the simplest win. It types the code wherever your cursor is, like a keyboard.
- Scanning away from the desk or sourcing with a phone app: a Bluetooth scanner that pairs with your phone.
- Pick a 2D scanner if you might ever use QR codes or scan from a screen; 1D-only scanners are limited to traditional linear barcodes.
What a barcode scanner actually does
Most scanners sold for small businesses work in "keyboard mode". When you scan a barcode, the scanner sends the characters to your computer or phone as if you had typed them, usually followed by Enter. That means it works in nearly any program: a spreadsheet, a search box, an inventory app, a listing form.
That's the key insight for resellers. A scanner doesn't need special software. If your inventory lives in a spreadsheet, scanning a SKU label into the search box jumps straight to that row. If you use an inventory or cross-listing tool with a search field, scanning into it does the same thing.
Types of scanners, in plain terms
| Type | Reads | Good for | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1D linear (laser or CCD) | Traditional barcodes: UPC, EAN, Code 128 and similar | Retail product barcodes, ISBN barcodes on books, simple SKU labels | Can't read QR codes; usually can't read barcodes from a phone screen |
| 2D imager | Linear barcodes plus QR and other 2D codes | Mixed use, QR SKU labels, scanning screens | Often costs a little more than basic 1D models |
| Wired USB | Depends on 1D/2D | Desk use, packing stations, plug and play | Tethered by the cable |
| Wireless with USB dongle | Depends on 1D/2D | Walking around a storage room near your computer | Needs charging; range varies |
| Bluetooth | Depends on 1D/2D | Pairing with phones and tablets; sourcing apps | Pairing can be fiddly; check device compatibility |
For most resellers, the honest recommendation is a 2D scanner with both USB and Bluetooth options if the price difference is small. It covers every scenario below. Check the current price, since basic scanners vary widely.
Use 1: Find any item in seconds with SKU labels
This is where a scanner pays off for most resellers. The idea is simple: every item gets a unique SKU, the SKU is printed as a barcode on a small label, and the SKU is also recorded in your listing or spreadsheet.
A simple SKU format
Keep SKUs short and meaningful. A common pattern is location plus number, for example B14-0231 for bin 14, item 231. When an item sells, the order shows the SKU, you know which bin to open, and scanning the bag label confirms you grabbed the right one.
Printing SKU barcode labels
- Many thermal label printers can print small labels with barcodes if you use matching label sizes. Check your printer's supported sizes before buying label stock.
- Spreadsheet add-ons, label design software and some inventory tools can generate barcodes from a list of SKUs.
- Code 128 is a common, flexible linear barcode format for letters and numbers. QR codes need a 2D scanner but can hold more data.
Where to put the label
Label the bag or tag, not the item itself, so the buyer never receives a sticker on their purchase and you never leave residue. Put a second label on the outside of the bin.
Use 2: Faster inventory counts
A physical inventory count is tedious with a pen. With a scanner, you open a blank spreadsheet column, scan every item in a bin, and the column fills itself. Compare that list to your active listings and you can quickly spot:
- Items listed but missing from the bin (sold and not removed, misplaced, or lost).
- Items in the bin with no active listing (the forgotten pile).
- Duplicates or mislabeled SKUs.
Doing this once before the holiday rush and again at the end of the year keeps your listings honest and helps your record keeping. For tax questions about inventory, check with a tax professional.
Use 3: Sourcing books, media and boxed items
Books, DVDs, games and boxed retail items carry barcodes. Many resellers use phone apps to look up recent sold data or estimated demand by scanning these codes. Some of those apps support external Bluetooth scanners, which can be faster than aiming a phone camera at hundreds of spines.
Before buying a scanner for sourcing:
- Check the app's own help pages for supported scanners and connection modes.
- Expect to need a Bluetooth scanner that pairs in keyboard mode with your phone.
- Remember that some items have no barcode, especially older books. A barcode tool doesn't replace knowing your category.
- Be courteous in stores: don't block aisles, and follow any store rules about scanning.
Use 4: Packing and shipping accuracy
At a packing station, a scanner can confirm that the item in your hand matches the order. Scan the SKU label into your order list's search box before you seal the package. At higher volumes, that one check prevents the costly mistake of sending the wrong item to two buyers at once.
When your phone is enough
A dedicated scanner isn't required to get organized. Your phone camera can read barcodes and QR codes in many apps, and a handwritten SKU on each bag works fine at a small scale. Consider a scanner when:
| Sign | Why a scanner helps |
|---|---|
| You regularly search for items and can't find them | SKU plus scan makes lookups near instant |
| You type SKUs or codes many times a day | Typing errors disappear |
| You do periodic inventory counts | Counts take a fraction of the time |
| You source barcoded items in volume | Faster, steadier scanning than a phone camera |
| Your phone camera struggles in dim stores | Scanners often have their own illumination |
Buying checklist
- 1D or 2D? Choose 2D if you might use QR codes or scan screens.
- Connection: wired USB for desks, Bluetooth for phones, both if possible.
- Compatibility with your computer, phone or tablet's operating system.
- Keyboard mode support (most have it; confirm in the specs).
- Battery life and charging method for wireless models.
- A stand or cradle if you'll use it hands-free at a packing desk.
- Clear instructions or a configuration guide for settings such as adding Enter after a scan.
FAQ
Do I need special software to use a barcode scanner?
Usually not. Most scanners work in keyboard mode and type the scanned code wherever your cursor is, so they work with spreadsheets, search boxes and many inventory tools.
Can a barcode scanner read QR codes?
Only 2D imaging scanners can read QR codes. Basic 1D linear scanners read traditional barcodes such as UPC and Code 128 only.
Will a Bluetooth scanner work with my reselling app?
It depends on the app and your phone. Check the app's help pages for supported scanners, and confirm the scanner can pair in keyboard mode with your phone's operating system.
What barcode type should I use for SKU labels?
Code 128 is a common choice because it handles letters and numbers in a compact barcode. QR codes are another option if you have a 2D scanner.
Should I put SKU stickers on the item itself?
It's better to label the bag, tag or bin rather than the item. That avoids residue and keeps your internal labels away from the buyer.
The bottom line
A barcode scanner isn't a status symbol; it's a shortcut for one specific problem: finding, counting and confirming items once your inventory outgrows your memory. Start with a SKU system on paper. When you notice you're spending real time typing codes or hunting for bags, add an inexpensive 2D scanner and a roll of small labels, and that time mostly disappears.