RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has collected fines from stores in Currituck, Durham, Rockingham, Wake and Wilson counties because of excessive price-scanner errors.
“We want consumers to be confident that the price on the shelf matches the price that’s scanned at the register,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Stores have a responsibility to make sure their pricing is accurate, and most stores pass inspection. Ones that don’t are fined until they come into compliance. Consumers who would like to file a complaint about a store can call the Standards Division at 919-707-3225.”
The department 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.
Penalties are assessed if a store fails a 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 error rate. Additional penalties may be assessed if the store fails a re-inspection. Following are stores that paid civil penalties in the first quarter of 2017:
- (Currituck) Dollar General #8763 at 6431 Caratoke Hwy., Grandy, paid $1,380 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in February found an error rate of 5 percent, based on five overcharges in a 100-item lot. A second inspection in March found an error rate of 3.67 percent, based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in May.
- (Durham) Dollar General #12773 at 101 Ganyard Farm Way, Durham, paid $517.50 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in March found an error rate of 6 percent, based on three overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in April found an error rate of 3 percent, based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in June found an error rate of 5.67 percent, based on 17 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store was assessed $2,105 in penalties and will be re-inspected.
- (Durham) Office Depot #2687 at 5600 S. Miami Blvd., Durham, paid a total of $5,235 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in October 2016 found an error rate of 16 percent, based on eight overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in November found an error rate of 7.33 percent, based on 22 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $1,710 in penalties. A third inspection in January found an error rate of 5.33 percent, based on 16 overcharges in a 50-item lot. The store paid $1,610. A fourth inspection in March found an error rate of 3 percent, based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $1,915. The store passed inspection in May.
- (Rockingham) Dollar General #10976 at 1200 E. Stadium Drive, Eden, paid $592.50 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in February found an error rate of 8 percent, based on 4 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in March found an error rate of 4.67 percent, based on 14 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in May.
- (Wake) Family Dollar #3594 at 3416 Poole Road, Raleigh, paid a total of $9,360 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in March 2016 found an error rate of 8 percent, based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in April 2016 found an error rate of 3.33 percent, based on 10 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid 1,290 in penalties. A third inspection in June 2016 found an error rate of four percent, based on 12 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $1,865. A fourth inspection in August found an error rate of 4.67 percent, based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $2,785. A fifth inspection in October found an error rate of 3.67 percent based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $3,420. The store passed inspection in January.
- (Wilson) Family Dollar #359 at 1301-J Ward Blvd. South, Wilson, paid $1,800 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in August 2016 found an error rate of 8 percent, based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in October found an error rate of 3.67 percent, based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in January.