Hey John, what you are seeing is most likely an error code that is built into the device. The code "88888" points to an overloading error. Please ensure that the weight you placed on the device is under the 100 gram maximum capacity of the device, as it could damage the device. This error should disappear if the weight is within the appropriate range. Let me know if you have any other issues.
Hi, Steven. I would make certain there is nothing obstructing your batteries and that they are in the correct slots. If you are sure the issue is not related to the battery, the most likely cause is that the display somehow got disconnected from the circuit board. Check the troubleshooting page for more info: American Weigh AWS-100 Troubleshooting