RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has collected fines from stores in Johnston, Mecklenburg, Mitchell and Wake counties for excessive price-scanning errors.
The Standards Division conducts periodic, unannounced inspections of a business’ price-scanner system 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 at a later date. Undercharges are also reported, but do not count against a store.
“As we enter the holiday season consumer spending rises and shoppers count on paying the advertised price at the register,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Inspecting price scanners protects consumers. We want businesses to be diligent in ensuring accurate prices to their shoppers.” Consumers can contact our Standards Division at 919-707-3225 to register a complaint.
Penalties are assessed if a store fails the follow-up inspection. In addition to the penalties paid, the store will be subject to re-inspection every 60 days from the last inspection until it meets the 2-percent-or-less rate. Additional penalties may be assessed if the store fails a re-inspection.
Following are stores that paid civil penalties in the third quarter of 2014:
- Dollar General #8456 at 1130 South Pollock St., Selma paid a total of $3,402.50 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in January found an error rate of 8 percent, based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in March found an error rate of 2.33 percent, based on seven overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $367.50 in civil penalties. A follow-up inspection in June found an error rate of 6.33 percent, based on 19 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $3,035 in civil penalties. In August, the store was re-inspected and passed with a 2 percent error rate.
- CVS #3185 at 1533 South Blvd., Charlotte, paid $1,735 after failing a re-inspection in August. The inspection found an error rate of 3 percent, on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid $1,735 in civil penalties and will be re-inspected. The store previously failed inspections in March, April and June.
- CVS #2562 at 115 West Arrowood Road, Charlotte, paid $660 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in July found an error rate of 6 percent, based on three overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in August found an error rate of 4 percent, based on 12 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid $660 in civil penalties and will be re-inspected.
- CVS #1632 at 9628 Rea Road, Charlotte, paid $705 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in August found an error rate of 6 percent, based on three overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in September found an error rate of 2.67 percent, based on eight overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid $705 in civil penalties and will be re-inspected.
- Super Target #2132 at 12830 Walker Branch Drive, Charlotte, paid $1,350 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in August found an error rate of 5 percent based on five overcharges in a 100-item lot. A second inspection in September found an error rate of 2.33 percent, based on seven overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid $1,350 in civil penalties and will be re-inspected.
- Target #762 at 9531 South Blvd., Charlotte, paid $2,775 in civil penalties after failing a re-inspection in July. The inspection found an error rate of 3.67 percent based on 11 overcharges on a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid $2,755 in fines. The store previously failed inspections in November 2013, January, March and May. The store was re-inspected in September and passed.
- Walgreens # 5761 at 4701 South Blvd., Charlotte, paid $1,935 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in May found an error rate of 8 percent, based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in June found an error rate of 3.33 percent, based on 10 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid $1,935 in civil penalties and passed re-inspection in August.
- Ingles #33 at 125 Greenwood Road, Spruce Pine, paid $1,935 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in May found an error rate of 4 percent, based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in June found an error rate of 3 percent, based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid $1,935 in civil penalties and passed re-inspection in August.
- Family Dollar #445 at 505 Plaza Circle, Garner, paid $1,785 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in July found an error rate of 4 percent, based on four overcharges in a 100-item lot. A second inspection in August found an error rate of 3.33 percent, based on 10 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid $1,785 in civil penalties, and passed re-inspection in October.