Here's a scanner setup that I've been using lately. It's just as fast as a PDA, yet it has all the advantages of current technology. This video shows a demonstration of an Android Phone with the Socket 8Ci scanner. I'm using Asellertool's FBAScan as the software.
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Here are some benefits to using FBAScan:
1) Fast Scanning – This does not require a 3G or 4G internet connection while scouting for products. All of Amazon's information is stored in the memory card of the phone.
2) Fast Downloads – I've been able to download all of Amazon's data into the phone in less than 20 minutes. This includes media and non-media items.
3) Scans Media and non-Media Items – The FBAScan software scans all categories such as books, DVDs, toys, electronics, etc. I've personally only scanned media items, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of the non-media items.
4) Shows FBA Prices – FBAScan will show the Amazon FBA prices as well. However, keep in mind, Amazon changed their API formula a couple years ago. As a result, Amazon will only show FBA prices that are considered competitive. Therefore, if an FBA listing is several pages deep, it may not show up on the scanner. All 3rd party companies must follow this rule including Neatoscan, Asellertool, ScanPower, Profit Bandit, etc.
Here are some benefits to using the Socket 8Ci Scanner:
1) Class One Laser – This has an extremely powerful beam which can scan barcodes from one foot away.
2) Quiet – This can be used discreetly at thrift stores because it does not make a noise. However, it does come out of the package making a beeping and a rumbling noise. I had to call customer service to find out how to turn it off. Here are the barcodes where you can turn off the noise and rumbling sound.
3) Thin – It is super thin so it fits nicely on the back of a phone.
4) Easy Attachment – Sold separately is a Klip Case from Socket. You can adhere is to the back of your phone, so there is no need to use Velcro.
5) Compatibility – Works on any Android or Apple device.
Where to Buy
You can buy a new Socket 8ci scanner on Amazon for $195. Here's the link for the Klip Case as well.
If you're interested in the FBAScan software, you can get that for $40 a month on Asellertool's website. Use the coupon code “future2” for a $20 discount on your first month.
Cool. Just ordered one. How did you get the sound off? They don’t have a scan for that? Thanks
Here you go. This is the sheet that I got from customer service.
https://booktothefuture.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Scanner-8Ci-Settings.pdf
Printed off and scanned the pdf. Not working for me. Am I missing the correct way to disable the beep?
Hi Dana,
Try turning off the bluetooth on your phone first, and then scan the “Scanner Rumble OFF” barcode.
Thanks for making me aware of this scanner. Will use you link when I get ready. Question; I use a mophie pck so I have plenty of juice for a long day of scanning and I assume the clip would not attach to it. Is there an alternate solution of extra power you use. Perhaps an external charging device with long cable so you could still scan while charging.
I use the universal klip case which can stick to the back of any phone or case. So, it should work with the mophie pack. This is the exact klip case that I use:
http://socketstore.com/products/universal-klipcase
Nathan, the direct link above for your klip case is not working.
Thank you. The link has been fixed.
-Nathan
Nathan, that link is still not working. Enjoy your videos and information. Thanks!
Here you go:
http://socketstore.com/products/universal-klipcase
I use Anker external battery .. http://www.amazon.com/16000mAh-Portable-Charger-External-Technology/dp/B00D5VAYRU/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1422994020&sr=1-2&keywords=anker+portable+charger. There are several options within the anker products. It lasts me through recharging my cell and scan tools and I still have power left at the end of the day.
I am not sure if the scanner will scan while charging. I typically charge while driving and it charges pretty quickly
I actually just bought the Anker external battery a couple days ago. So far it’s working great!
Hey Nathan is the fbascan coupon code is for a permanent monthly subscription for $20 a month?
Hi Jon,
It’s a $20 discount in your first month.
-Nathan
Thanks Nathan, I have been undecided what to go with. Have been looking at getting PDA – Asellertool service. Right now I’m using Android 3G with Scan app; it’s killing me. Also, once I start scanning my battery life is horrible. Trying to make a good decision before investing. This seems like the more cost effective. Thanks for your all your free help. I have been watching and listening to you since before I got started.
There’s nothing wrong with a PDA. I still use a PDA for a backup. One of the major advantages of a PDA is the long battery life. I have to carry around a spare battery when I scan with my phone.
One of the major advantages of the above set up, is that many people already have a smart phone. So it’s more cost effective.
Nathan, I look forward to each post – thanks. Would you please share the scanning criteria you use in asellertool? I’ve tried the product before but could not figure out how to set the buy/don’t buy criteria. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Hi Steve,
I actually don’t set a buy/don’t buy criteria. I just look at the information on the scanner and make my buying decision from there.
I have only been following for a while and obviously making my way through videos is time consuming. When did you change from Neatoscan to Asellerstool? I read some bad reviews on their customer service but a $10 savings/month is attractive. I know you like the 8ci but for those of us just starting out, $200 is a bit much and have not had any luck finding it lower, only higher.
Hi Julie,
If you’re just starting out, you can always use the camera on your phone as the scanner. Also, Asellertool has a package for around $180 on eBay. That scanner is not as good as the 8Ci though.
I still use Neatoscan on my PDA for a back up. This is just something new that I’m trying.
hi Nathan love the videos
Anyway i wanted to ask you something. ive used your barcodes to turn the rumbling and the sound off when scanning and honestly i cant get it to shut off. everytime it scans it it rumbles and beeps. i configured everything and it doesnt work. did you use the app socket scan 10 or just go to asellertool? any advice would help because honestly i hope i didnt just blow 200 bucks.
Hi Paul,
Try turning off the bluetooth on your phone first, and then scan the “Scanner Rumble OFF” barcode.
Hey Nathan,
I discovered you last November, and your ebook was really 90% of what got me off on the right foot. Thanks a ton. I just broke 25K gross for the year and had a 6K month, and am very excited for the future.
What I have run into though, which many non-book FBAers don’t seem to notice very much, but you alluded to in #4 above, is the awful data Amazon provides through it’s API. It is downright BAD sometimes to the point that I would be making really bad decisions if I only relied on it (buying things I shouldn’t and skipping things I shouldn’t).
I would say MOST books I scan I simply need to see at least the lowest 5 FBA offers (sometimes the lowest 10 or 15) AND to definitively see if Amazon is a player. But the API does not give this information. I routinely see my scouting app display the lowest FBA proce at say $15, then I click through to Amazon and there are 10 lower FBA offers, wit hsome being penny books. If I were to go by the API data, this would lead to many bad buys! SO I am forced to click through on the app I use to see the real website of Amazon… which as you can guess is a huge time waster.
So my questions for you are:
1. if you are using scouting tools which use the API dont you think you are making some bad choices when you go scouting (both to buy and to skip a purchase)?
2. How do you deal with this problem?
I am finding this to be my number one problem and cant seem to resolve it. Thanks for your insight.
Hi David,
Thanks for your message. I actually don’t look at the FBA offers when I’m scouting for books. As you mentioned the FBA data is often inaccurate. I look at the lowest 5 merchant fulfilled offers instead. That’s 100% accurate. For example, if a book has a low price of $1-$3(plus shipping) on merchant fulfilled, I know that there is a good chance that I can sell that for $8-10 on FBA. If the low price is $4-6, I know that I can probably sell that for $11-$13, etc.
For the higher priced books, I do look at the FBA price. Since higher priced books will often have less sellers, the FBA prices will be more accurate on the scanner.
Fascinating.
Very interesting strategy. Do you think you would be using this strategy if the data for FBA offers was better? Or is this strategy a sort of response to the bad data?
The strategy I have developed, which like I said was seeded by you, but I have developed it into something of my own, is that I really ONLY care about the lowest FBA combined with rank, and I will often check 3camel to get a more accurate idea of sales rank over the last 3 months. I sell a surprising amount of books that have a glut of non-FBA penny offers. My minimum is price is 7.95. Average sales are $12.50. Average buy cost is about $0.45. I look at the lowest consecutive FBA and will often skip the 1-10 lowball FBA offers from dailydeals and the other clowns like that. I skip right past them and price at a level I think will be hit within a year based on sales rank and the eb and flow shown by the price over time and by the sales rank. This has been working for me better than I thought. Tinkering with this has lead to my average sale price creeping up lately.
You have me wondering if my elaborate strategy is just a more complicated way of doing what you are already doing with your strategy. I would say 80% of my books fall within the penny book range where I am looking to price it at $9-$10. So I suppose I may as well just price them all at $10 in the first place to save time. I will have to do some thinking about this. Thanks again for the great info and for letting me bouce this off of you.
If I had access to all of the correct FBA data, then I would probably have a strategy based on that.
Nathan, re: #1 above “Fast Scan” how much memory on the phone’s card do you reccommend?
I didn’t get any extra memory on phone. Most phones have enough “built in” memory to handle all the data.
Hi Nathan, thanks for this information… very helpful. I’ve been looking for a scanner solution that is very fast, as using the one on my phone is pretty slow. Probably my old phone. Did I read correctly it only takes you about 20 minutes to download Amazon’s master list? Can you tell me how big this file is and how often do you download it? Thanks.
About 400mb. I update this about once every two weeks or so.
Thanks for this Nathan; I’m right at the decision-making stage.
Question 1: I see a small plug dangling off the scanner from a couple of fine-looking wires; is that for charging, and doesn’t it run the risk of getting pulled off or otherwise damaged in repeated, day-in day-out use?
Question 2: I noticed that none of the books displayed an image. Since I find images absolutely crucial to ID’ing the edition, this seems problematic. Do images ever show up? I noticed you said the database is only about 400mb, and I had always heard it was about 2gb; is that the answer? Are there options to get a bigger db download, and therefore maybe some images?
Hi Carl,
That is just a string attachment that you can hook up to a lanyard. You can remove that if you want.
The images do not show up. I’m not aware of any database apps that show images.
Hi Nathan,
Does the Socket 8ci work with Profit Bandit, to your knowledge?
Yes, it should. I haven’t tested it personally though.
Dan Jones,
I dont know if you will get an email alerting you to my reply, but if you do, I am very interested in in you were able to use the 8ci for profit bandit, and if so, how.
hello..will this work with a IPhone ???
Yes, it will work on the iPhone as well.
Hey Guys,
I just purchased a Socket 8Ci scanner and am using it with my 4th gen iPod touch. Used it on my first scouting trip yesterday and it worked great! So that is another option for those of you who have one laying around and don’t want to invest in a PDA or don’t want to take up all the memory on your phone with the database.
Yes, I agree the bad API data makes it more challenging but I think Nathan’s strategy of using the lowest MF offers might be a good strategy. I can’t get phone service in my number one sourcing spot but it seems like it wouldn’t be very time efficient to click through to Amazon’s website, even if I did have.
Thanks for your comment Caroline. Good luck with the new scanner!
Hi Nathan,
Just found you site and it is great! I saw an old post by Caroline saying she used an iPod touch plus scanner. Where do I get the data base to load on the iPod and is it a subscription? I had thought about getting the whole set up with Asellertool, but it is kind of expensive. Is there scanner that I could attach to a LG tablet?
I volunteer at our local library bookstore and try to sell some of the more expensive books on line, although they are sometimes much older books. I am sorry to hear that other sales don’t allow book sellers to use scanners. We try to encourage booksellers to buy our books!
Caroline,
I agree it is not all that time efficient. But it is hard for me to leave all those MF penny books on the shelf knowing I can sell them for $8-$10 on FBA, some for even more if there is FBA exclusive buy box access. I am so torn now, I like Nathan’s strategy of using the MF offers as a guide, and I can see myself going (literally) 10 times faster in my scouting by using the DB. But, I also know I will be leaving books behind.
Hi Nathan,
I know I’m late to this thread, but why in your opinion is the 8ci better than a bluetooth scanner?
Thanks for the post and vid,
Tim
Hi Tim,
The Socket 8CI is a bluetooth Scanner. You can connect it to your iPhone or Android Phone via bluetooth.
does this aseller tool database allow one to input the name of
a book for older books without isbns? thanks
I’m not sure. If you click on the “live” version you may be able to enter the title of the book.
how to input older books by title with no isbn. thanks
So happy to find your blog Nathan. Thank you for all the helpful information. At this point are you happy with using your phone, socket scanner, and the Aseller app? Currently using Profit Bandit and very much indecisive which way to invest.
I’m happy with the setup. However, the battery power is limited. I still still my PDA for backup.
Hi Evangelista… I noticed you’re using Profit Bandit. Would you recommend it?
Any tips for someone starting out with Profit Bandit? Thanks
Hi i was wondering how long ur scanners battery last
Jason,
I used mine for 9 hours straight yesterday and the scanner lasted through the whole time. I do bring a portable charger with me just in case, but I didnt need it.
David
I was referring to my phone battery. The scanner battery last a long time.
I just used this setup yesterday and it cut my scanning time in half. I was doubtful if the laser scanner and local database would really speed things up very much, but for the 360 books I got yesterday, my per book average sourcing time went down from what it used to be at 2:40 to 1:20! I was actually very surprised. It was so cool to not have to fiddle with the stupid phone camera also. Very slick. Thanks for the tip Nathan.
Awesome David! I’m glad it’s working for you.
Hi David, looks like you just recently got setup and like it…any recommendations on type of phone? currently using iPhone4 but would like switch to new Android, i have a motorola android but 4 years old., thx
Hi Nathan i know your not a cpa or accountant i’m new to fba and im clueless about sales tax is there any advice you can give me.I’m getting mutiple answers about everything.
Hi Jason, I’m not affiliated with Nathan at all, but I saw your question and just watched a video the other day that may help you.
It’s by Cody Hawk, entitled “How to deal with taxes in your Amazon FBA business. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=spnZXgi73lc
Hope that helps! I know taxes can be scary when it comes to online business especially.
Sorry to butt in, Nathan! Your blog and videos rock! You have helped me more than you’ll ever know 🙂 Diana
Thanks Diana!
Hi,
I have been out of the bookselling business (ebay) for about 4 years, intending to go back. Just opened a booth in an antique mall but not making much yet. Checked your info and kind of got blown away. It looks very interesting but very complicated. I am sure it is doable but just have not gotten the nerve to try it. One stumbling block with Amazon has been penny sellers. How can anyone make money with all of the books (similar or identical) being offered at a penny? I really would love to get into this full time (I am retired). First, I am going to read your ebook again. Also, what do you do about sales or venues which have signs prohibiting scanners?
Hi Lucy,
I would recommend staying away from penny books if you’re just starting out. Stick with books that have value. If a venue does not allow scanners, then I will honor that. Many times if a library book sale restricts scanners, then I will go to the bag sale on the last day. I’m willing to gamble on books for just $5 a bag.
Hi! I am brand new to this so my question may seem silly. If you get the 8Ci scanner do you have to get the FBAscan software? I am just starting out and not a lot of cash to invest yet. Thank you for sharing all of this information.
I’m sure the 8Ci works with other scanning apps, but I’ve only used with FBAScan.
Any updates on how FBAScan and the 8Ci are working so far?
I still use it and I love it!
If I am just starting out, and want to use my iPhone camera for scanning, is there an app I download? Thanks
Yes, the Amazon seller app:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amazon-seller/id794141485?mt=8
Hi Nathan,
Just rechecked here & glad to see you still like the FBA scan & 8CI setup. Have been using the trial version of FBA scan & I am finally getting used to it. It is real fast even using just phone camera (for now), so I will continue with it, and look to get the socket scanner in the next month or two. I just wanted to mention that I carry my charger battery (mine is a EasyAcc from Amazon- I think it was bout $40 & it works great- will charge my Android phone from dead 3x) in a fanny pack if I am going to be scanning for an extended period. It can get a little unwieldy with cords all over, but if I am like almost done with a near dead battery, I plug in and keep going till I am done. It also charges my android phone darn fast – like about 1.5 hrs. This is not including the 8CI as I don’t have it yet. Again, thanks for sharing your info as all these little details really help. BTW was at a book sale yesterday, on its last day. ($10/bag). Per Peter Valley’s advice, I asked what they plan to do with the leftovers, and they had someone who was getting all of them for free, just to take them away (and supposedly donate some charitable organizations). Hah1, I wasn’t sure what I would have done if they said I could take them, as there was probably 3000-4000 books left, but it sure makes me think about next year, and other book sales.
Thanks again,
Ed
Thanks for the tip. I’ve been using a similar power bank from Anker.
Hi Nathan… I’m in the market for a new smartphone now that mine is only an iPhone 4, do you have any recs on a moderately priced Android to go with the 8ci scanner?
Hi Cliff,
I use a Samsung Galaxy S3. I got it used on Amazon for about $150. I’m very happy with it.
thanks
Thanks Nathan. Wondering, will this same setup work with the “Profit Bandit” loaded into the Android phone?
I don’t know. I just emailed them, and I will let you know their answer.
Hi, Nathan. I’ve been testing the free FBA Scan from ASellerTool. I read somewhere about your 2-cent strategy for lower-valued books. If I set a trigger for anything under 11 cents, I don’t get reliable buy-reject information unless I check it with the internet information. When you go to sales and want to pick up the under-valued books that are listed as low as 2 cents, and there is no internet service, do you just make an educated guess, or do you pass on that strategy whenever you don’t have internet service? Thanks for taking time to read and answer my question.
Hi Sherry,
11 cents would be a good enough trigger. Basically, I’m looking for anything that’s not a penny.
Hello Nathan,
I got my socket moblie and the asellertool, earlier in your blog I am certain you gave us the settings for the FBAscan, right? However I am not finding them, could you help please?
Luz
Hi Luz,
Can you give me a specific example? I don’t use triggers. I just look at the scanner after each scan, and make a buying decision from there.
Hi Nathan, your the man. . I have profit bandit. If I were to invest in the 8ci. Would I then have to get a monthly subscription to sellerscan or fbascan? I’m wondering if I could avoid that and hook it up via profit bandit and be ready to go. I no I want to up grade my scanning but I’m wondering if I can do that by simply buying the 8ci and keeping profit bandit
Hi Jason. Yes, it works on Profit Bandit. I’ve tested it. You do have to pay a $50 fee to use the bluetooth scanner on Profit Bandit. The setup can be a bit tricky. Let me know if you have any questions on getting it setup.
Awesome, and I will let you know. Thanks for being so supportive! It means a lot to me and I’m sure everyone else!
Also is the fee one time or monthly?
It’s a one-time fee.
Regards,
Nathan
How to set up 8Ci with profit bandit?
Hi Nathan. I am currently trying out FBA scan with the trial app and plan to get the local db with limited live subscription once the my trial period is over. I think it’s $30 a month. Will your discount code work for that package? Also, If I get the 8CI scanner do I need to download any other software (in addittion to fba Scan) to my phone specifically for the 8ci scanner or is it just a matter of pairing the bluetooth with my android? (I am using a Galaxy 4 lite).
Yes, the discount code will work, “Future2”. There is no additional software needed with the 8ci. Just the FBAScan app and a bluetooth connection.
i just got one, but every time I scan it doesn’t automatically hit enter to get the item price. How does that work
If you use FBAScan, it will automatically hit enter to get the item price.
Yes this is true for me too. It does not automatically “hit enter” … i have to press the “magnifying glass” button for the scan to work. how did you set up your scanner? I noticed that in your screen … the “magnifying glass icon” is replace by the “wifi” button. so did you change anything in your socket mobile settings or the fbascan settings?
Hi Nathan,
I’m new to FBAscan. I was wondering what exactly is the significance of the trigger function (buy/reject), could you help me out a little?
Thank you
Hi Nathan:
I really appreciate all the help you give so freely. Thanks so much.
I am currently using the 30 day trial of FBA Scan and I am thrilled to have found it. There does seem to be a glitch however. Quite often when I scan a book I get the voice response of “Not Found”. Then if I scan the same book again, the actual data will often appear. (Some books really aren’t found) This is quite annoying and somewhat embarrassing as the “not found” voice can be heard by others. Am I doing something wrong? Thank you Nathan.
Hi Nathan,
First timer here!
My local library had a $5 per bag book sale today and we picked through about 1/10th of the inventory and were able to find 12 books that are being sold through a merchant at prices ranging from $7-12, with some upwards of $25.
How much more can I sell those books for if I use Amazons Fulfillment by Amazon program?
Also, should I learn how to use Profit Bandit or FBA Scan?
Thanks!
Hi Nathan Love you information & comments.
I am a small book seller & am not a pro-merchant seller & I don’t use FBA. I have room at my house to store the books I buy & at this time I don’t sell enough per month to warrant the $40.00/month fee. Couple of questions.
Can I use this scanner with my Samsung 4g?
Do I have to be a ProMerchant to use this scanner?
And do I have to go through a company such as ScoutPal to be able to scan books with this scanner?
Since I do not need an internet connection, I have to download the media information. How do I do that?
At one time I was able to scan books through ScoutPal without being a ProMerchant, but Amazan changed that.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
1. Yes, you can use with a Samsung phone.
2. Not sure. I would ask Asellertool support.
3. Yes, you need a 3rd party company like Neatoscan or Asellertool.
4. No internet connection needed if you use Asellertool’s downloadable database
q) Do I have to be a ProMerchant to use this scanner?
a) No. I do not have a Pro Seller account, it works fine.
I have another question: Do I have to have to be a member of Amazon’s Marketplace Web Services (MWS) to be able to use this scanner?? Thanks.
I am new and reallly confused.
So I need aseller tool data base if i want the no internet connect kind
my phone or a pda
and the blue tooth socket and clip?
What are the easiest to use and set up? Of all the steps as I need to be able to have download as sometimes in a basement of a library or rural. A recent sale I went to many had scout on pda or a new scout that connected to earphone not sure I like that was that to their phone or pda or either? pda gives you more memory is that it
for just starting out for an hour here or there is new android enough and then what else do I need to store data base and scan. Thanks
or to start one time at a small sale I could use FBA scan free trial and my android camera? Does that give me anything downloaded or just live? That is my issue in rural areas I need downloaded info????? so confused what to start with before I invest in the scanner
I purchased linea pro 4 with ipod to use with asellerstool but I am not getting a laser light emitting. Am I doing something wrong or is the sled defective?
Hi, Great stuff, thank you ! I have a PDA with a socket scanner and it works
great, fast and reliable. My problem is the scanner soft wear that I get through
A SellerTool. I find it hard to read and somewhat confusing. It really slows me
down trying to figure out a buying decision.
Is there any other scanning software that will work on a PDA that will give me
clearer, more understandable info. I own the PDA, so it’s not involved in the
subscription. Thanks for all your good info ! Beat Regards, Jack
I really don’t recommend the PDAs anymore. The Asellertool FBAscan software on a phone is just as fast (if you have a good scanner with it). Plus the technology is up to date.
Hey Nathan- i am your follower and just starting with FBA book selling. The socket scanner is giving me hard time to configure. i have your bar code page, turned off bluetooth in samsung phone and scanned the rumble off, again when i scan its beeping.been struggling with this for 2days. please help me how to fix this. may i know your facebook group as well?
Hi nathan,
Im a little new to the whole reselling online with amazon and i was wondering ,if i do purchase a Bluetooth scanner for my scouting does that mean i dont have to pay the subscription for asellertool and i can use my scanner numerous of times or do i still have to pay the subscription per month even with the bluetooth scanner ?
Yes, you still need to get the Asellertool subscription.
Hi Nathan,
Thank you for the awesome lessons you provided. Good content. Please I would like to ask these questions
1) I do not want to use my personal phone for scanning, i want to use a separate phone meant for scouting only, so i just ordered Socket Scan 8ci.
2) I would like to use iPhone 4 with the scan, is it compatible with iPhones?
3) Do i need to put a SIM in the phone before i can download and use Aseller Tool?
Thank you as I await your response.
Eman.
Yes, it’s compatible with iPhones. You do not need a SIM card.
Hi Nathan,
Great site and thanks! We already to arbitrage on Amazon and we have done a little bit of bookselling which has worked out well. Now I getting serious about dealing with mostly books this is very valuable information you have here. I am a little confused though -you mention here about Asellertool and on your apps page you list ScoutIQ. It seems both are very simillar or am I missing something?
Thanks
Steve
Thanks Steve. I’m glad you like the site! I used ScoutIQ for a while, but I decided to go back to Asellertool.