Although a good point, it means that this shows evidence that the item was obtained, and not merely reprinted for the UPC

Proof Of Purchase

Proof of Purchase tabs have barcodes on them. Although the consumer can only see several numbers and bars, each bar actually contains MORE bars and numbers that are tiny enough so that only a scanner can read them. Simply put, the company that made the product knows which items have been sold and PAID FOR by this code. When you send in a proof of purchase, companies can tell whether or not it has been paid for by scanning it again. It’s basically a tracker. Several sites (some are are interactive) explains this much better. I’ve listed them in order, the better ones on top.

proof of pur·chase: noun

Definition: evidence of payment made: evidence that something has been paid for, e.g. a receipt

Basically it’s documentation evidencing that the item was actually purchased and paid for, and you didn’t obtain it by other means (stealing it, getting it from someone/somewhere else, etc.).

The UPC code on the item only proves that you have the item (or had the packaging for it), not whether or not it was purchased. In order to constitute a legal “Proof of Purchase” it must be accompanied by the documents that evidence it’s purchase, i.e. the receipt.

Does that help?

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RE:
What does Proof of Purchase Mean?
When you look on products that you buy at the store, in small letters, always by the Bar Code, you see the words "Proof of Purchase". What does that mean?

If it means that it proves that i bought the item, does that mean i can just take it off the shelf and say i bought it because i…

Just the bar code would be ‘proof of product’. Proof of purchase would be the receipt & the bar code… to prove that you bought the item & the item was the one the special offer (rebate) was for.

For proof of purchase requires both…

Not a very fancy answer, but I believe that’s it 🙂

NO! the receipt must match the item ,the item must match the bar code.Proof of purchase gives the manufacture a trail, there store a trail,and you proof that both of these trails will lead you to a worthy product .with out it no return no,trade.some proof of purchases also can be used as coupons,or for free items,which aren’t free at all…..shipping and handling usually cost more than the items worth. blessed be

In order to receive a rebate on something, the manufacturer needs proof that you purchased the item. To do that, they ask you to send in the “Proof of Purchase,” together with a copy of dated sales slip. That means you cut (or soak) the “Proof of Purchase” (bar code) off the product and send it in together with the copy of sales slip, and completed claim form, which includes date purchased, name of store, and your name and address, to make your claim.

It’s proof that you actually have the bag, and you didn’t just make something up and lie about it. And yeah, you could just take it off the shelf =) but that would be stealing.

NO—POP MEANS,ONCE YOU CUT IT OUT, THAT IF THE MANUFACTURER…AT SOME FUTURE TIME…OFFERS COUPONS OR GIFTS…AND THE CONSUMER MUST SEND IN A PROOF OF PURCHASE…THAT IS WHAT YOU SEND…THE BAR CODE.