Consumer

Make Sure You Get What You Pay For at the Store

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Did you know that shoppers are four times more likely to be overcharged rather than undercharged on their purchases? That’s the finding of the County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures, which is releasing its inspection results for 2011.

The department inspected more than 20,000 items at more than 1,300 locations last year.

The inspectors are responsible for checking the accuracy of things consumers use every day – price scanners, gas pumps, commercial scales and packaging – to make sure shoppers get what they pay for.

The department is sharing the information, as well as shopping tips, during National Weights and Measures week, which runs through March 7.

Last year, inspectors found that 18 percent of the stores they visited had overcharging errors. The good news is the number is down from the previous year, when 20 percent of stores had overcharging errors.

The amount of the overcharge varied by the type of store. The average overcharge at grocery and convenience stores was about $0.41. That is less than other retail stores, such as department and electronic stores, where overcharges average $2.96, although the overcharges at all types of stores was about the same when taken as a percentage of the total sale.

Here’s how you can avoid errors at the register:

  • Bring the sales ad with you to the store.
  • Know that the store is legally required to charge no more than the lowest advertised, posted or quoted price.
  • Verify receipts on the premises and notify store management if you find any discrepancies. 

If you are overcharged, you may file a complaint with the County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures at 1-888-TRUE SCAN (1-888-878-3722) or visit www.sdcawm.org.

Gig Conaughton is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact