Twenty-two stores pay fines for price scanning errors

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has collected fines from stores in Camden, Chowan, Durham, Hertford, Nash, New Hanover, Moore, Randolph, Sampson, Surry, Union, Vance, Wake, Watauga, Wayne, and Yadkin 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 984-236-4750. 

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 fourth quarter of 2021:

• (Camden) Dollar General at 917 NC 343 S., Shiloh has paid $5,000 in fines. An initial inspection in October found a 10-percent error rate based on five overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November found an 18-percent error rate based on 54 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
   
• (Chowan) Dollar General at 1503 Virginia Road, Edenton has paid a total $10,000 in fines. An initial inspection in August found a 16-percent error rate based on eight overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in September found a 12.67-percent error rate based on 38 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in November found a 13.67-percent error rate based on 41 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.  
   
• (Durham) Wal-Mart at 1049 Durham Road, Roxboro has paid $1,260 in fines. An initial inspection in August found a 4-percent error rate based on four overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in September found a 3.67-percent error rate based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in November.  
   
• (Hertford) Dollar General at 914 West Main St., Murfreesboro has paid $5,000 in fines. An initial inspection in October found a 14-percent error rate based on seven overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November found a 17.67-percent error rate based on 53 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.
• (Nash) Wal-Mart at 1205 Eastern Ave., Nashville has paid $5,000 in fines. An initial inspection in September found a 6-percent error rate based on six overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in October found a 13-percent error rate based on 39 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.  
   
• (New Hanover) Wal-Mart at 5226 Sigmon Road, Wilmington has paid $3,665 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 12 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A fourth inspection in October found a 4-percent error rate based on 12 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.  
   
• (New Hanover) Dollar General at 1136 Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach has paid $4,550 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 passed inspection in November.   
   
• (Moore) Dollar General at 1369 North Sandhills Blvd., Aberdeen has paid $2,655 in fines. An initial inspection in September found a 12-percent error rate based on six overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in October found an 8-percent error rate based on 24 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in December. 
   
• (Randolph) Dollar General at 435 Highway 49 S., Asheboro has paid $975 and owes $1,805 in fines. An initial inspection in August found a 6-percent error rate based on three overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in September found a 3-percet error rate based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in December found a 3.67-percent error rate based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.  
   
• (Randolph) Walmart at 2628 S. Main St., High Point has paid $2,940 in fines. An initial inspection in September found a 3-percent error rate based on three overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in October found an 11-percent error rate based on 33 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.  
   
• (Sampson) Dollar General at 14265 Spiveys Corner Highway in Newton Grove has paid $4,175 in fines. An initial inspection in June found an 8-percent error rate based on four 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 passed inspection in November.  
   
• (Sampson) Dollar General at 608 E. Highway 24, Roseboro has paid $6,835 in fines. An initial inspection in June found a 12-percent error rate based on six 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 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in November.  
   
• (Surry) Dollar General at 514 N. Renfro St., Mount Airy has paid $5,000 in fines. An initial inspection in September found a 16-percent error rate based on eight overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November found a 20.67-percent error rate based on 62 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.  
   
• (Union) Walmart at 2101 Young St., Indian Trail has paid $2,700 and owes $2,960 in fines. An initial inspection in August found a 4-percent error rate based on four overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in September found a 4.67-percent error rate based on 14 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in November.  
   
• (Vance) Dollar General at 35 N. Oliver Drive, Henderson has paid $5,000 in fines. An initial inspection in September found a 24-percent error rate based on 12 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in October found a 19.33-percent error rate based on 58 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.  
   
• (Wake) Family Dollar at 100-139 Raleigh Blvd., Raleigh has paid a total of $17,315 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 errors in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in January 2021 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 passed inspection in October.  
   
• (Wake) Target at 4191 The Circle at North, Raleigh has paid $4,560 and owes $1,685 in fines. An initial inspection in August found a 6-percent error rate based on six overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in September found an 8-percent error rate based on 24 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in November found a 3.67-percent error rate based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.  
   
• (Watauga) Tractor Supply at 2221 Old 421 S., Boone has paid $615 in fines. An initial inspection in July found a 6-percent error rate based on six overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in August found a 4.33-percent error rate based on 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in October.  
   
• (Wayne) Family Dollar at 102 Five Points Road, Goldsboro has paid $4,260 and owes $3,035 in fines. An initial inspection in August found an 18-percent error rate based on nine overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in September found a 9.33-percent error rate based on 28 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in November found a 6.67-percent error rate based on 20 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.  
   
• (Wayne) Dollar General at 100 Genoa Crossing Drive, Goldsboro has paid $2,790 in fines. An initial inspection in August found an 8-percent error rate based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in September found a 5-percent error rate based on 15 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in November.  
   
• (Wayne) Dollar General at 3334 US Highway 13 S., Goldsboro has paid $3,075 in fines. An initial inspection in October found a 10-percent error rate based on five overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November found a 13.33-percent error rate based on 40 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.  
   
• (Yadkin) Dollar General at 103 West Main St., East Bend has paid $4,980 in fines. An initial inspection in September found a 10-percent error rate based on five overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November found a 14.67-percent error rate based on 44 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 

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