Nike stands as a global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and sports equipment. Its popularity, however, makes it a prime target for counterfeiters. For buyers, distinguishing between authentic Nike shoes and fakes is crucial. One reliable method to ensure you’re getting the real deal is by understanding and utilizing the Universal Product Code, or UPC. This guide will walk you through how to scan a Nike shoe barcode and verify its authenticity, ensuring your purchase is genuine.
Understanding the Nike UPC Code
The Universal Product Code (UPC) is essentially a barcode system primarily used in North America to identify products. Since Nike is an American company, nearly all of its products are marked with a UPC. This code serves as a unique identifier, helping both retailers and consumers track and verify products.
Why is the UPC important for Nike shoes? Because every authentic pair of Nike shoes comes with a unique UPC. This barcode is not just for inventory purposes; it’s a key tool in confirming authenticity. Counterfeiters often struggle to replicate UPCs accurately, making it a valuable checkpoint.
You’ll typically find the UPC barcode on Nike shoe boxes and sometimes directly on the shoe itself, usually on a tag located on the tongue or insole area. A Nike UPC generally consists of a 9-digit code. The first six digits usually represent the product or style code, while the last three often indicate the colorway of the shoe.
Methods to Scan and Check Nike UPC
There are several ways to check a Nike UPC to verify the authenticity of your shoes. Let’s explore the most effective methods:
1. Checking UPC via Serial Code with a Google Search
This method leverages the serial code found on the shoe’s tag and box. It’s important to first ensure that the serial numbers on the shoe tag and the box are identical. Discrepancies can be a red flag.
The UPC itself is usually accompanied by a serial number or style code. Here’s how to use it for verification:
- Locate the Serial Code: Find the serial code on the tag attached to your Nike shoes and on the shoe box. Double-check that these codes match.
- Identify UPC Location: The UPC barcode and associated numbers are usually printed on a sticker on the side or bottom of the Nike shoe box, along with other product details.
Alt text: Close-up of a Nike shoe box label showing the UPC barcode, product name, style code, size, color, and country of origin, essential details for verifying authenticity.
- Perform a Google Search: Open your web browser and go to Google (or your preferred search engine). Type the Nike serial code into the search bar. For example, you might type “Nike CI5749-777” (using a hypothetical code for a Nike M2K Tekno Volt).
- Analyze Search Results: If the shoes are authentic, your search should yield results that accurately describe the shoe model, including images, the shoe name, series, and color. Compare the information in the search results with the physical shoes and the details on the box. If everything matches, it’s a good sign of authenticity.
2. Scanning the UPC Barcode with a Scanner App
Scanning the UPC barcode is a direct and efficient way to check Nike shoe authenticity. You’ll need a smartphone with a barcode scanner app or a built-in scanner feature.
- Open a Scanner App: Launch a barcode scanner app on your smartphone. Many phones have built-in scanner features in their camera app, or you can download free scanner apps from app stores.
- Scan the Barcode: Position your phone’s camera to scan the UPC barcode on the Nike shoe box or the shoe tag. Ensure the barcode is well-lit and clearly visible for the scanner to read it accurately.
- Website Redirection: Once scanned, the barcode should redirect you to a Nike website, often a page on qr.nike.com that is specific to the scanned product.
- Verify on Nike Website: The Nike webpage should display detailed information and images of the authentic Nike product. Carefully examine the details to confirm they match the shoes you have.
3. Utilizing Third-Party UPC Verification Websites
Several websites specialize in UPC database lookups, allowing you to enter the UPC code and retrieve product information. These can be useful supplementary tools for checking Nike authenticity.
- Visit a UPC Lookup Website: Open a web browser and navigate to websites like upcindex.com, barcodespider.com, goat.com, grailed.com, or barcodelookup.com. These sites maintain databases of UPC codes.
- Enter the UPC Code: Find the 12-digit UPC code associated with the barcode on your Nike shoe box. Enter this code into the search bar on the UPC lookup website.
Alt text: Screenshot of a UPC lookup website search bar, prompting users to enter a 12-digit UPC code to verify product details and authenticity online.
- Search and Verify Information: Click the ‘Search’ or ‘Lookup’ button. The website should then display information associated with the UPC code you entered, including product descriptions, images, and potentially the brand. Verify that the information presented matches the Nike shoes you are inspecting.
Conclusion
Verifying the authenticity of Nike shoes is essential to ensure you are purchasing genuine products and avoiding counterfeits. By understanding how to scan and check the UPC barcode using serial codes, scanner apps, and UPC lookup websites, you can confidently authenticate your Nike purchases. These methods provide valuable tools to protect yourself from fake products and ensure you receive the quality and authenticity you expect from the Nike brand.
