Retail Price Computing Scales Information » Battery Power Price Computing Scale

Commercial Scales for the Farmers Market Can Cost over $400

admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:31:24 +0000

Legal for Trade Commercial scales can cost well over $400, but if you do a little research, you won’t pay near that much for a set of high quality farmers market scales. Yes, you could get away with using a set of “household” scales, either hanging or digital, but that is ultimately not the way to establish trust and legitimacy with your customer who is buying produce from you.

Do some research and buy a legal for trade price computing scale that can be certified by the state. In most states it is a requirement. However, sometimes due to budget restraints and manpower, merchants get the idea that they can get away with not purchasing a legal for trade scale. Sometimes every now and then you hear comments from sellers of fruit and vegetables who sell produce at farmers markets, that they don’t worry about bending the rules of the State Weights and Measures Department. The thought process basically being, “we are not a priority for the Department of Agriculture.” Need proof, take a look at the article below

On most summer Saturdays, the Florence-Lauderdale Farmers Market is packed with vendors, but market manager Thurston Harper fears a state crackdown will prevent many farmers from selling at the market. An inspector from the Alabama Department of Agriculture visited the market in late May to test the accuracy of scales farmers use to weigh fruits and vegetables. Harper said the inspector told farmers they must begin using scales certified for commercial use. Read more

Setting the Auto-Off Feature on the RS-130

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:05:48 +0000

In the past we have gotten quite a few people asking, how difficult is it to set the auto-off feature on the Rice Lake RS-130 price computing scale. So we figured we would show you. Not too bad at all. Please note, work inside scale enclosure is not required to change this feature.

1. Turn on the scale and press and hold the CHANGE key until 6.3 (version) shows in the WEIGHT display (approximately three seconds).
2. Press and hold the ZERO key until the WEIGHT display shows SEtUP (approx. three seconds).
3. Press the 3 key, WEIGHT display shows USUAL.
4. Press the 2 key to enter the Auto-Off mode. WEIGHT display shows -30- (minutes).
5. Use the CLEAR key to select -30-, -15-, -5-,-OFF-.
6. Press the CHANGE key to confirm setting.
Scale will automatically restart and you’ve now changed your auto-off function. Remember this is for the RS130 scale.

Now is the Time to Check Out and Fix Up Your Scale

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:21:15 +0000

This month is a great time to take out your old faithful price computing scale and give it a good work out. Plug it in and make sure it powers up and charges if it has a battery. It might even be a good idea to order a spare battery to prepare for the spring. Make sure all the buttons on the keypad work. This is especially important if you type in prices per pound using the number keys. Make sure the displays work on both front and back so that you and your customer are not “in the dark”.

Finally, take a look at the selection of price computing scales currently available this winter. You may find a deal too good to pass on. Plus, you can always use a good backup unit or add a second scale to your produce stand so that your customers are able to purchase produce from you as fast as ever.

Dual Range Capacity Price Computing Scale

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:34:34 +0000

CAS S2000JR60L NTEP legal for trade 60 lb. price computing scale features AC and rechargeable battery power, serial port, LCD display and is ideal weighing choice for everything from fudge and chocolate shoppes selling candy by the pound to local farmers market produce stands selling vegetables and fruit by the price per pound.

The S-2000 JR scales feature a “dual range” capacity. This is a nice feature that means you get increased readability that you probably wouldn’t get on most other price computing scales. For example on a 60 pound capacity price computing scale from most other manufacturers, the scale will increment up/down from zero to 60 pounds in 0.02 lb increments. The 60 lb. S2000 JR displays weight from zero to 30 lbs in increments up/down in 0.01 lbs. Then from 30 to 60 lbs, the scale will increment up/down in 0.02 lb increments. Add a DLP-50 label printer and you have an affordable price computing scale with label printer.

Rechargeable Battery or Flashlight Batteries?

admin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:29:11 +0000

Should I buy a price computing scale with built in rechargeable battery or should I buy a price computing scale with replaceable “C” or “D” flashlight batteries? The choice is really up to you. The advantage of the internal rechargeable battery is convenience. Just plug your scale up the night before you plan to take it to the market and it should work great all day out at the market or farm. Disadvantage is, eventually the battery is going to stop working and will have to be replaced. To replace a battery is normally not too difficult nor expensive. So this may be a great way to go.

You can also buy a price computing scale that takes six “D” batteries. In most cases you can use regular alkaline batteries. Battery life will depend on how long you use the scale, if you have “auto off” turned on, and if you are using backlight function. You can buy rechargeable “D” batteries w/ an external charger as well.

The choice is really up to the end user. Both versions of scales are popular and both generally work well. The main goal should probably be to choose a price computing scale that is within your budget, has the features you desire, and has a good reputation.

Display Choices? LCD, LED, VFD. What do I choose?

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:35:03 +0000

Scales like the Avery Berkel FX50 have features such as programmable auto power-off and back-light display mode which are ideal when using the internal rechargeable battery. But what if I don’t need a battery. What display choices are available?

Currently, the majority of price computing scales in the marketplace feature an LCD (liquid crystal display). This is also a user friendly display for battery life. Many of these LCD scales feature a backlight which can be turned on/off. The backlight will consume much more battery life when used. The CAS S2000 JR features an LCD display and rechargeable battery.

The other major choice available for price computing displays is VFD. These are the displays that are very dark with green digits. These are almost always AC powered only. They are very easy to read and require no back light. The CAS S-2000 JR also comes in VFD display with AC power only.

There are also a few LED price computing scales on the market currently.

Put an end to guessing weights and prices.

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:09:05 +0000

Take the guess work out of pricing with the Detecto DS series price computing scale. Designed for portable use with a built-in rechargeable battery pack, the DS series is ideal for deli’s, bakeries, candy and coffee shops, convenience stores, produce markets, hardware stores and more.

The built-in rechargeable battery supply not only monitors the battery life, but also recharges the battery while the scale is in operation ensuring no unexpected “down time”. Pressing the PrePack key, after the unit price has been entered, retains that price for repetitive price-computing making the operator’s job even more simple.

Adjustable, nonskid feet and internal bubble level ensure steady weighing. The smooth lines of the molded poly enclosure, lift-off stainless steel commodity tray and sealed membrane keypad make cleaning an easy chore. These scales include a standard 3 prong AC cord – no large AC adapter to take up valuable wall space. For added protection, the DS series includes a dust/debris cover and a water well under the platter to further prevent against moisture and accidental spills.

Hanging Produce scales are a thing of the past

admin — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:31:57 +0000

If you stop and think about it, you’ve seen them at the farmer’s market, the deli, even the grocery store. Digital Produce scales that allow vendors to easily weigh their fruits and vegetables and charge their customers by the pound. In the past, many of these produce scales were mechanical hanging scales. But lately, more and more farmer’s market vendors are choosing digital produce scales for the market. Why? Because they’re relatively inexpensive, are battery powered, and provide the cost per pound of the fruits and vegetables being sold. Also, the scales are NTEP legal for trade.

These digital produce scales are designed to offer all the functions your business needs, with great features like large, easy-to-use keys on a wipe-clean keypad, highly visible back-lit vendor and customer displays. The scales are easier to program as ever and many even include up to 100 Price Look-Up keys and 12 or so hot-shot keys for fast-moving items.

Actually, one of the biggest expenses you will have when you start selling at farmers’ markets is buying your legal for trade scale. Farmers’ markets are a commercial venue and are, therefore, governed by the same regulations as any commercial establishment that buys and sells based on weight. In other words, if you charge your customer by weight, you must have a “certifiable scale”.

In most states, your Department of Agriculture will inspect and certify your produce scale for farmers markets. Regulation requires the scale be NTEP legal for trade and made for commercial use. A legal-for-trade produce scale will be marked with:

• Class III designation on the identification plate or seal.
• All scales must have an NTEP Cert of Conformance (CoC#)

Scales suitable for farmers’ markets will generally have a 0.05 lb, 0.01 pound or 0.02 lb increments with max capacities of 15, 30 or 60 lbs. Many low cost scales such as “office” scales or baby scales marked “Not Legal for Trade” are not acceptable for selling at farmers markets. We would be happy to provide you with a list of certifiable scales so you do not spend hundreds of dollars only to find you have an uncertifiable scale.

Coffee, tea, chocolate, candy, bakery, vegetable scales

admin — Sun, 10 May 2009 02:28:24 +0000

Retail business is fast changing, highly competitive, and needs outstanding solutions. Ohaus Retail products were developed by experienced Retail experts who understand your needs. Ohaus Retail product portfolio offers a complete range of products for every. The products provide the best price performance ratio in the market, ready to support businesses in many different segments:

- Vegetable and grocery stores
- Farmer’s markets
- Grocery stores
- Chocolate and Candy shops
- Coffee and tea specialty shops (coffee, tea, confectionery)
- Bakery and pastry shops
- In store self-service locations
- Convenience stores
- Contract food service

Ohaus RE retail price computing scales offer a special rugged construction, are ideal for portable use and advanced price computing features. For reliable performance under any circumstance, the RE offers outstanding value. The OHAUS RA economy price per pound calculating scale is a compact sized, price computing scale which is easy to use and place. The RA features high precision OHAUS quality in a small footprint format.

Price calculating scale in ounces

admin — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:00:30 +0000

RS130 price computing scale

Very few retail price computing scales on the market can boast of having all the features of the Rice Lake RS-130 digital price computing scale. This RS130 retail scale is of course NTEP legal for trade. But what sets this scale apart is the fact that it displays weight in pounds. It displays weight in kilograms. Finally, it displays weight in ounces. By the way, did we mention it also can calculate customer change? The RS-130 from Rice Lake packs a powerful punch and is ideal for a farmer’s market stand, chocolate shoppe or produce stand. The scale can operate on standard AC power or the built in rechargeable battery.

RS130 Standard Features
• NTEP-certified, Legal-for-Trade 30lbs x 0.01 lbs
• Customer display on rear of unit
• Compact design makes it easy to transport
• Switchable between lb’s, kg’s, or oz’s
• Internal sealed battery included
• AC or DC operation
• In-use cover
• Battery charge indicator
• 8-speed keys for quick price lookups
• Computes customer change
• 89 PLU’s for indirect price lookups