Has such a product been developed?

[TommyVercetti]

I know a similar product has been developed, but it's purpose wasn't this.

Here is what the product does: You open up the Sunday paper, and it's full of coupons. Each one has a barcode. You use this pen like device to scan the barcode, which stores that coupon into it. You go to the grocery store, and instead of presenting your coupons, you present this device, which the cashier scans into the computer, and automatically the coupons are now in their system. Beats cutting and carrying coupons. Also, you can share coupons with other people.

Good idea?

 

Very good idea - however, I'd only use the device if I could get it for free or for VERY low cost. It's not that hard to carry coupons to the store.

 

[UglyCasanova]

Good idea. Instead of you having to scan it though (but still include that feature i suppose), make it to where you could hook it up to the net and all of the stores would upload a digital coupon for you to put on your thing. That way you don't have to buy the paper.

 

[clicknext]

I bet people could forge coupons if they wanted to that way...

 

[rgwalt]

Originally posted by: jumpr
Very good idea - however, I'd only use the device if I could get it for free or for VERY low cost. It's not that hard to carry coupons to the store.

 

[TommyVercetti]

Originally posted by: clicknext
I bet people could forge coupons if they wanted to that way...

I don't think most companies care about that. Better for them. Sure, Circuit City and Best Buy would care for their exclusive customer only coupons, so they might not implement this system.

 

[zippy]

Originally posted by: UglyCassanova
That way you don't have to buy the paper.

That's how newspapers make money - off of advertisements, including coupons. So umm...bad idea.

 

[Rastus]

Cue Cat was a barcode reader you hooked up to a USB port a couple years ago. It would almost do that (in theory). I really was nothing but spyware though.

 

[TommyVercetti]

DANG! Beaten

 

[hawkeye81x]

You could still get a patent for the pen-like qualities of your product. Though I think, in principle, you have lost.