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WSDA survey shows value of watching receipts—scanner errors crop up!

OLYMPIA – Consumers and business owners would benefit equally by paying more attention to prices ringing up on thousands of scanners in operation across the state. In a pre-Thanksgiving Day holiday survey conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), it appears that consumers are just as likely to be undercharged as overcharged.

WSDA staff checked 10,000 items at more than 120 stores, ranging from department and specialty stores to auto parts outlets. In the survey, when consumers were overcharged, the average additional expense was $2.12. Overcharges ranged from as little as 10 cents to $61. The average undercharge in the consumers’ favor was $3.16. Undercharges ranged from 20 cents to $783.

“We provide consumer protection services but we also give business owners useful data that show them how accurate they are in scanning prices that align with what they intend prices to be,” said Kirk Robinson, manager of the WSDA Weights & Measures Program that conducted the survey. “Doing a scanner survey supports a level playing field in commerce for consumers and businesses.”

Twelve percent of the stores that participated in the scanner verification survey failed according to stringent testing criteria. The test consisted of sampling 25 to 100 items from the store’s shelves and racks. To pass the test, no more than 2 percent of the items sampled could ring up at higher than posted or advertised prices.

“For their own protection, shoppers need to take a minute to ensure they are getting the sale price or posted discount on their purchases,” Robinson said. “If a scanning error isn’t fixed to your satisfaction, call your Weights & Measures or consumer affairs office.”

WSDA advises shoppers to be alert and also urges businesses to tighten pricing practices. Robinson offers the following shopping tips to avoid scanner problems:

• Watch the cash register display at the check-out counter;
• Ask questions if you are concerned about suspected errors;
• Note prices and the posted discounts as you shop;
• Bring ads with you;
• Check your receipt and resolve any problems before you leave the store.

For scan price disputes in Seattle, call (206) 386-1296. In Spokane, call (509) 625-6611. For other areas, call WSDA at (360) 902-1857 or send an e-mail to wtsmeasures@agr.wa.gov.

Weights & Measures officials work to ensure equity in the marketplace. Inspectors test weighing and measuring devices such as gas pumps, grocery store scales, scanners, truck scales and taxi meters. They inspect packaged, canned and bottled products to ensure consumers are receiving the full measure stated on the package label. Officials are also charged with verifying the quality of motor fuel.
 

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