RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has collected fines from stores in Duplin, Durham, Johnston, Mecklenburg, Wake and Wilson counties because of excessive price-scanner 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.
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.
“Stores have a responsibility to make sure that the price listed on the shelf matches the price charged at the register,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We want shoppers to be confident that at grocery stores and retail outlets they are paying the shelf price they expect and not more. Consumers can contact our Standards Division at 919-707-3225 to register a complaint.”
Following are stores that paid civil penalties in the first quarter of 2016:
**Wal-Mart #1352 at 5625 S. NC Highway 41, Wallace, paid $525 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in December found an error rate of 3 percent, based on three overcharges in a 100-item lot. A second inspection in January found an error rate of 2.33 percent, based on seven overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.
**Staples #708 at 3600 N. Duke St., Durham, paid $1,215 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in November found an error rate of 10 percent, based on five overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection is December found an error rate of 4.33 percent, based on 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.
**Wal-Mart #1614 at 1525 Glenn School Road, Durham, paid $1,545 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in October found an error rate of 7 percent, based on seven overcharges in a 100-item lot. A second inspection in November found an error rate of 4.67 percent, based on 14 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed re-inspection in January with a 1.33 percent error rate.
**Carquest #1181 at 926 N. Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield, paid $900 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in October found an error rate of 12 percent, based on six overcharges on a 50-item lot. A second inspection in November found an error rate of 7.67 percent, based on 23 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed a re-inspection in January with a .20 percent error rate.
**Super Target #2080 at 9841 North Lake Center, Charlotte, paid $1,545 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in December found an error rate of 4 percent, based on four overcharges in a 100-item lot. A second inspection in January found an error rate of 6.33 percent, based on 19 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed re-inspection in January with a 1.33 percent error rate.
**Advance Auto Parts #6809 at 660 Main St., Holly Springs, paid $1,785 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in November found an error rate of 8 percent, based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in December found an error rate of 9.67 percent, based on 29 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed a re-inspection in March with a 1.67 percent error rate.
**Carquest #1151 at 1405 S. Tarboro St., Wilson, paid $1,425 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in October found an error rate of 12 percent, based on six overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in November found an error rate of 9 percent, based on 27 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed a re-inspection in January with a 1.67 percent error rate.
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