Choose scales for the specific task: counter sales, packing, self-service or warehouse weighing. Before ordering, check the specifications in the documentation and try the equipment with your products, packaging and inventory software.
Before using scales in retail, check the documents and the applicable verification procedure. If you need to send weight to the till or sell products by weight label, confirm compatibility with the specific model before buying.
Identify the operations the scales must perform
Prepare a list of work scenarios for the supplier. Ask them to demonstrate each one on the equipment you plan to buy.
- Counter sales: weighing a product, entering its price and getting the total on the scales or in the POS software.
- Packing: accounting for packaging, weighing a portion, printing a label and scanning it at the till.
- Self-service: the customer selects a product, weighs it and gets a label.
- Warehouse: placing a load on the platform, working with a container and transmitting the result if needed.
For each scenario, note who will use the scales and where the weighing result will be used. Check each required operation separately, even if the supplier offers one model for several tasks.
Match the specifications to your portions and loads
Write down the smallest portions and heaviest loads you need to weigh. Note the packaging weight and dimensions separately.
Scale capacity is the greatest mass that can be placed on the scales. Readability, also called “discreteness” in some manufacturers’ documentation, is the value of the smallest scale division.
Ask the supplier to find the maximum and minimum weighing limits, readability and permitted error data in the documentation for the scales you selected. Have them explain whether these specifications suit your portions and loads. Request separate data and the conditions under which the error was determined.
Try weighing your smallest regular portion and heaviest working load in your packaging. Ask the supplier to show how the documentation accounts for packaging use within the available weighing range.
Check how the scales account for packaging
Bring the bags, trays or containers your shop uses to the demonstration. Ask the supplier to show how to obtain the net product weight and move on to the next weighing.
If you use containers with a known weight, ask whether packaging weight can be entered manually. For example, the PRE-TARE function on the KERN DE 15K2D lets you manually subtract a container’s known weight. This is a feature of that specific model. Check that your selected scales have the function and confirm how to use it.
Try the scales at the workplace
Set up the scales where you plan to use them. Put a regular product and a bulky one on the platform. Check that the scales are stable, the buttons are accessible and the readings are easy to see from the seller’s and customer’s positions. Assess how long it takes to get a stable result over several consecutive weighings.
For self-service, check the customer’s entire journey: finding a product, weighing it, printing and collecting the label. Ask someone who did not set up the scales to carry out these steps.
Tell the supplier about the temperature, moisture, dust and cleaning method at the workplace. Ask them to confirm the equipment’s suitability based on the manufacturer’s documentation.
Clarify which parts of the scales the stated protection rating applies to. For example, the manufacturer lists IP65 for the load cell on the KERN IFC 150K20DM. This specification does not confirm the same level of protection for every part of the scales.
Check the connection and label-based sales
If the scales need to send weight to your software, agree on the specific model, interface, communication protocol and settings with your software supplier. Ask them to carry out a test weighing and sale in your system.
For packing, print a label on the material you plan to use. Scan it with your scanner. Check the product, weight and price in the sale. Also check that the label is readable and confirm how to replace the roll.
Ask for a list of compatible consumables. Agree on who will configure the label and check that the POS software recognizes it.
Check the documents and verification procedure for retail
According to an explanation from the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, measuring instruments used in retail must be in working order, bear a verification mark and undergo periodic verification in accordance with the procedure established by law.
Order No. 1747 sets the verification intervals for legally regulated measuring instruments in use. This does not mean there is one interval for all scales.
Before buying, request the documents for the specific equipment. Confirm the applicable verification procedure and the basis for determining its due date.
Agree on setup, repairs and consumables
Ask who will set up the scales and handle repairs. Check the service centre’s location, how to hand over the equipment, repair times and whether loan scales are available.
Also check that spare parts and printing supplies are available. Record the agreed terms in the supplier’s quote or contract.
Connecting scales to the till and selling by weight label in Torgsoft
The additional “Integration with scales at the till” option receives the product weight and calculates its price automatically. It requires activating the option and configuring compatible scales.
The “Packing and labelling weighed goods” option lets you sell products using a label printed by scales with receipt printing. After scanning, Torgsoft determines the weight without manual entry.
Before ordering equipment, check that the specific model is compatible with your required scenario and carry out a test sale.
Checklist before ordering scales
- Describe the operations, portions, loads and packaging.
- Match the weighing specifications to your products using the documentation.
- Try the platform, display and packaging functions.
- Check the operating conditions and the protection of individual components.
- Test weight transmission or a sale by label.
- For retail use, confirm the documents and verification procedure.
- Agree on setup, repairs and the supply of consumables.
Official sources on legal matters
- State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection explanation about scales in retail.
- Law No. 1314-VII “On Metrology and Metrological Activities”, Article 17.
- Resolution No. 1062: Technical Regulation on Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments.
- Order No. 1747 on verification intervals.
- Resolution No. 833 on retail trade procedures and customer service rules.
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