gmb45
9th January, 2010, 06:10 AM
RETAILERS are quaking over a new iPhone gizmo that tells users the cheapest shop for products.
Bargain hunters scan an item's barcode on the mobile's camera - then the Sccope app checks its own price comparison website.
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00962/SNN0921GA_380_2__962843a.jpgBargain hunter ... list of prices
The ?1.19 feature monitors almost 300,000 products in 100 top web retailers and High Street chains - and even tells users if they are in stock.
It also updates daily, alerts people when items go on sale and shoppers can even redeem vouchers and special offers using it.
Sccope spokesman Douglas Orr said: "Our users will get the very best prices on their purchases.
"The app quickly and accurately scans barcodes to compare prices while shopping.
"Consumers can be confident they have the very best information before they purchase."
By turning their iPhone to a landscape view, shoppers are shown a graph which details the product's price history to see if the current cost is competitive.
The prices are provided by the independent comparison site, meaning stores do not pay to be featured.
Marc Gander of Consumeractiongroup.co.uk said: "Information is power. This puts the power back into the hands of consumers.
"It will mean buyers can haggle for the best deal, or go to a cheaper store.
"Apps of this kind are the future of shopping. Rip-off retailers have nowhere to hide."
Some smaller shops are worried as their prices will not be included.
But Mr Gander added: "Shoppers can check what the big retailers are charging - then compare with their local shops."
Bargain hunters scan an item's barcode on the mobile's camera - then the Sccope app checks its own price comparison website.
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00962/SNN0921GA_380_2__962843a.jpgBargain hunter ... list of prices
The ?1.19 feature monitors almost 300,000 products in 100 top web retailers and High Street chains - and even tells users if they are in stock.
It also updates daily, alerts people when items go on sale and shoppers can even redeem vouchers and special offers using it.
Sccope spokesman Douglas Orr said: "Our users will get the very best prices on their purchases.
"The app quickly and accurately scans barcodes to compare prices while shopping.
"Consumers can be confident they have the very best information before they purchase."
By turning their iPhone to a landscape view, shoppers are shown a graph which details the product's price history to see if the current cost is competitive.
The prices are provided by the independent comparison site, meaning stores do not pay to be featured.
Marc Gander of Consumeractiongroup.co.uk said: "Information is power. This puts the power back into the hands of consumers.
"It will mean buyers can haggle for the best deal, or go to a cheaper store.
"Apps of this kind are the future of shopping. Rip-off retailers have nowhere to hide."
Some smaller shops are worried as their prices will not be included.
But Mr Gander added: "Shoppers can check what the big retailers are charging - then compare with their local shops."