From the The NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division
The Family Dollar store at 13115 Route 264 in Swan Quarter has paid $13,410 in penalties for having had excessive price-scanner errors.
This store is one of 37 stores in 22 counties fined by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division for price scanning errors.
In a press release, the department said that an initial inspection of the Swan Quarter Family Dollar in August 2022 found an error rate of 26 percent based on 13 overcharges in a 50-item lot.
A follow-up inspection in September found an error rate of 24 percent based on 72 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November found an error rate of 6 percent based on 18 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A follow-up inspection in January found an error rate of 8.33 percent based on 25 overcharges in a 300-item lot.
The store passed inspection in March with a 1 percent error rate.
The department said it conducts periodic, unannounced inspections of price-scanner systems in businesses to check for accuracy between the prices advertised and the prices that ring up at the register.
If a store has more than a 2-percent error rate on overcharges, inspectors discuss the findings with the store manager and conduct a more intensive follow-up inspection later.
Undercharges are also reported, but do not count against a store.
Penalties are assessed if a store fails a follow-up inspection.
In addition to the penalties, the store is subject to re-inspection every 60 days from the last inspection until it meets the 2-percent-or-less error rate. Additional penalties may be assessed if a store fails a reinspection.
“Our Standards Division closely watches stores to ensure that consumers are protected,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “This is an important function to make sure North Carolinians are being charged the prices they see on shelves. While our work will continue, it is important for consumers to check their receipts regularly and notify store managers if they see a discrepancy.”
Consumers who would like to file a complaint about scanner errors they encounter can call the Standards Division at 984-236-4750.
