Warning when using GS1 services for you barcodes (Canada, or anywhere)

If you’re a small business owner looking to get a barcode, please read this before signing up with GS1.

I signed up thinking it was a simple one-time registration for product barcodes and if you wish to keep using them you renew them or they expire and are no longer valud. Instead, they automatically hit you with annual renewals which you aren’t even aware of. Eventually you’ll get a collections letter demanding the payment.

You can’t cancel your GS1 account unless you pay them… If you don’t pay, they keep charging you year after year, even if you’re not using the service. There’s no easy opt-out, and their cancellation process is intentionally designed to trap you.

This kind of billing model is, unethical, predatory and borderline criminal in my opinion. It takes advantage of small business owners who are already under pressure.

I’ll be filing complaints with consumer protection agencies. I’m also committed to making sure others don’t fall into the same trap.

If you’ve had a similar experience, speak up. We deserve better business practices. Report them.