The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has collected fines from stores in Forsyth, Hoke, New Hanover, Randolph, Sampson and Wake counties because of excessive price-scanner errors.
“Our Standards Division inspectors work to protect consumers by comparing the price on the shelf and the price at the register to be sure they match,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Stores have a responsibility to make sure their pricing is accurate, and most stores pass inspection. Ones with errors face fines until they come into compliance.”
The department 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. Consumers who would like to file a complaint about scanner errors they encounter, can call the Standards Division at 919-707-3225.
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 a store fails a re-inspection.
Following are civil penalties recorded in the third quarter of 2021:
- (Forsyth) Advance Auto at 759 Waughtoen St., Winston-Salem has paid $750 in fines. An initial inspection in March found a 12-percent error rate based on six overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in May found a 4.67-percent error rate based on 14 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in July.
- (Forsyth) Advance Auto at 3750 Patterson Ave., Winston-Salem has paid $360 in fines. An initial inspection in April found an 8-percent error rate based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in June found a 2.67-percent error rate based on eight overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in September.
- (Hoke) Dollar General at 7639 Rockfish Road, Raeford has paid $1,215 in fines. An initial inspection in June found a 6-percent error rate based on three overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in July found a 3-percent error rate based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in September.
- (New Hanover) Dollar General at 1136 Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach has paid $1,890 in fines. An initial inspection in June found a 14-percent error rate based on seven overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in July found a 5-percent error rate based on 15 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in September found a 6-percent error rate based on 18 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.
- (New Hanover) Walmart 5226 at Sigmon Rd., Wilmington has paid $1,110 in fines. An initial inspection in May found a 3-percent error rate based on three overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in June found a 4.33-percent error rate based on 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in August found a 7-percent error rate based on 21 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.
- (Randolph) Walmart Neighborhood at 10250 South Main St., Archdale had paid $1,245 in fines. An initial inspection in April found a 3-percent error rate base don three overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in May found a 2.33-percent error rate based on 7 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in July.
- (Sampson) Dollar General at 14265 Spivey’s Corner Hwy., Newton Grove has paid $2,250 in fines. An initial inspection in June found an 8-percent error rate based on 4 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in July found an 8-percent error rate based on 24 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in September found a 3.67-percent error rate based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.
- (Sampson) Dollar General at 608 E. Highway 24, Roseboro has paid $5,000 in fines. An initial inspection in June found a 12-percent error rate based on 6 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in July found a 15-percent error rate based on 45 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in September found a 4.33-percent error rate based on 14 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.
- (Wake) Family Dollar at 100-138 Raleigh Blvd., Raleigh has paid $13,335 in fines. An initial inspection in October 2020 found a 10-percent error rate based on five overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November 2020 found an 8.67-percent error rate based on 26 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in January found a 6.67-percent error rate based on 20 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A fourth inspection in March found a 7.33-percent error rate based on 22 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A fifth inspection in June found an 8.33-percent error rate based on 25 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A sixth inspection in August found a 4.33-percent error rate based on 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.
- (Wake) Family Dollar at 3210-101 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh has paid $3,105 in fines. An initial inspection in June found a 10-percent error rate based on five overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in July found a 9.67-percent error rate based on 29 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in September found a 7-percent error rate based on 21 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.
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