The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has collected fines from stores in Chowan, Columbus, Dare, New Hanover, Perquimans and Wayne counties because of excessive price-scanner errors.
These stores represent eight of the 42 stores fined across North Carolina during the first quarter of 2022.
“As many stores continue to suffer from staffing shortages due to the pandemic, our Standards Division has seen a significant increase in stores with price scanner errors,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “It is always a good practice for consumers to check their receipts as well as the price on the shelf to make sure that they are paying the correct amount.”
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 first quarter of 2022:
- (Chowan) Dollar General at 1503 Virginia Road, Edenton has paid a total of $15,000 in fines. An initial inspection in August 2021 found a 16-percent error rate based on eight overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in September 2021 found a 12.67-percent error rate based on 38 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in November 2021 found a 13.67-percent error rate based on 41 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A fourth inspection in January found a 16-percent error rate based on 48 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in March.
- (Chowan) Dollar General at 2803 Virginia Road, Tyner has paid a total of $14,380 in fines. An initial inspection in August 2021 found a 14-percent error rate based on seven overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in September 2021 found a 11.33-percent error rate based on 34 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in November 2021 found a 33-percent error rate based on 99 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A fourth inspection in January found a 31-percent error rate based on 93 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in March.
- (Columbus) Dollar General at 124 East Sam Potts Highway, Lake Waccamaw has paid $1,005 in fines. An initial inspection in January found a 20-percent error rate based on 10 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in February found a 4-percent error rate based on 12 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.
- (Dare) Dollar General at 26038 NC 12, Waves has paid $5,000 in fines. An initial inspection in February found a 32-percent error rate based on 16 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in March found a 13.33-percent error rate based on 40 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.
- (New Hanover) Walmart at 5226 Sigmon Road, Wilmington has paid $6,870 in fines. An initial inspection in May 2021 found a 3-percent error rate based on three overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in June 2021 found a 4.33-percent error rate based on 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in August 2021 found a 7-percent error rate based on 21 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A fourth inspection in October 2021 found a 4-percent error rate based on 12 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in January.
- (Perquimans) Dollar General at 1035 Holiday Island Road, Hertford has paid $2,190 in fines. An initial inspection in October 2021 found a 14-percent error rate based on seven overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November 2021 found a 5-percent error rate based on 15 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in January.
- (Wayne) Family Dollar at 102 Five Points Road, Goldsboro has paid a total of $13,305 in fines. An initial inspection in August 2021 found an 18-percent error rate based on nine overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in September 2021 found a 9.33-percent error rate based on 28 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in November 2021 found a 6.67-percent error rate based on 20 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A fourth inspection in January found a 5-percent error rate based on 15 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A fifth inspection in March found a 3.67-percent error rate based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.
- (Wayne) Walmart at 1002 N. Spence Ave., Goldsboro has paid $6,680 in fines. An initial inspection in October 2021 found a 4-percent error rate based on four overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November 2021 found a 4.33-percent error rate based on 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in January found a 7-percent error rate based on 21 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in March.