The TOP mistakes that most
Legal for Trade Digital Scale Buyers Make
As
you may know, there are many applications that require the utilization
of a Legal for Trade (LFT) digital scale, such as a deli, meat market,
farmers market, bulk candy, retail packaging, restaurant, hardware store,
bulk coffee, road side stands and many more.
Unfortunately, the biggest mistake that most LFT digital scale buyers
make is they simply do NOT know which digital scale features they need
for their LFT application.
In order to make your digital scale selection FAST & Successful,
we have provided you with the following "LFT Digital Scale Checklist".
Simply use this check list to determine which scale features you need
for your special application.
- Size
- TARE Feature
- Capacity vs. Accuracy
- AC/DC - Battery and/or 110V
- Spill Protection
- Weighing Units (lb, oz, kg, g)
- Removable Platform
- Government Requirements
- Pricing Computing
- Printer Option
- Dual Display
- Manufacturers' Warranty
- Price
SIZE
One of the higher priorities you should note is the scale's dimensions
and platform size. Are you placing the LFT scale on a counter with limited
space? Are you weighing big & bulky items? This is why your scale's
platform size is also an important feature.
You simply need to select a scale size that meets your unique LFT application.
TARE
FEATURE
Most digital scales have a valuable feature called TARE. This feature
simply removes the weight of any item placed on the platform. You can
use this feature to increase the size of the platform and/or place items
in a container, and then obtain the exact weight of the items.
Example: Place your container (i.e. box, bowl, cup, etc.) on the scale's
platform that will hold the item(s), then push the TARE button. Your
scale's display will reset to 0 by subtracting the weight of the container.
Then simply place the item(s) in the container and your scale will display
the actual weight of the item(s) in the container.
If you need to weigh additional items in the same container, you can
simply keep pressing the Tare button to reset the scale's display to
zero and then add the next item.
CAPACITY vs. ACCURACY
Before you purchase any scale, you will need to answer the following
two (2) questions:
- What is the maximum amount that you will ever need to weigh (i.e.
5lb, 20lb, or 50lb)?
- What is the minimum increment (i.e. smallest amount) you will measure
(i.e. 1g or 0.01 lb, etc.)?
Once you have determined this information, you will simply need to
select a scale that meets your capacity and accuracy requirements.
AC/DC - BATTERY and/or 110V POWER
Most LFT digital scales are powered 110V Power and a few models offer
both 110V power and a battery power option. The battery operated scales
can be used in areas that do not have easy access to 100V power, such
as a farmers market or roadside stand.
SPILL PROTECTION
Will your scale be weighing liquid, powder, or wet substances? If so,
we recommend that you purchase a unit with a sealed display and user
buttons. This simple spill protection will prevent the substances from
leaking into the electronics and voiding the manufacturer's warranties.
WEIGHING Units (lb, oz, kg, g)
Many scales offer both weighing units - pounds/ounces and kilogram/grams.
However, you need to make sure that the scale has the weighing units
you need for your LFT application.
REMOVABLE PLATFORM
Some scales offer a removable Stainless Steel, which allows for FAST
& EASY clean-up. If you plan to weigh items that will cause a mess
if spilled, then you may wish to consider a scale with a removable platform.
GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS
Depending on your local government's requirement, you may need to invest
in a scale that has been approved for use in retail trade. In the USA,
a scale that has been NTEP approved will mostly likely be legal for
trade. You should check with your local authorities to determine what
requirements and/or approvals your scale may need to be legal for trade.
PRICE COMPUTING
If you require a retail scale to display both the weight and the "price"
of the product, then you need a price computing scale. This type of
scale will automatically calculate the total price of an item by multiplying
the weight and the imputed value per pound (or other weight unit).
EXAMPLE
One pound of jelly beans cost $10. If a buyer orders 1.5 pounds of jelly
beans, the price computing scale would automatically calculate their
order for a total of $15.
PRINTER
OPTION
If you are looking to use a retail scale in conjunction with a cash
register, you may need to order a printer that works with the retail
scale. This type of scale can print a price label to be affixed to the
weighed goods and/or be intergraded to a retail system to produce a
complete receipt for the sales of the weighed goods and other items.
Since this type of printer and retail scale integration will most likely
require professional installation and maintenance, you should contact
a local scale retailer for sales and service information.
A low cost alternative to integrating a printer or retail system is
to purchase a legal for trade scale that offers a "dual display"
and manually determine the dollar value of the purchase.
DUAL DISPLAY
This retail scale option allows BOTH the "buyer" and the "retail
operator" to see the total weight of the product on the scale (i.e.
a display is located on the front and rear of the scale). If your LFT
application doe not involve customer interaction, then a LFT scale with
one display will work and save you money.
MANUFACTURERS' WARRANTY
You will discover most manufacturers offer at least a one (1) year warranty.
In addition, you will find some who offer 2-5 year warranties.
SPECIAL NOTICE: We highly recommend you AVOID any scale manufacturer
that offers a so-called "lifetime warranty". We have discovered
that most of these companies require a substantial fee for processing
your warranty claims.
As you know, common sense says
"If it sounds too good to
be true - it probably is".
PRICE
Use your checklist to determine what features are most important to
YOU. The price of your LFT scale will be directly related to the features
you select.
Now that you have completed your "LFT Scale Checklist", you
will be able to avoid making any mistakes when selecting the BEST scale
for your special application!
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