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Scanner Accuracy

CHECK THE PRICE...

Many stores use electronic scanners to figure the price at the checkout counter. These scanners are linked to a computer that reads the price of the item. Some scanners are hand-held and the clerk runs the scanner over the price tag. Other scanners are on a counter and the items are passed over an electronic reading device. The scanner reads a code on the product or the tag and the computer computes the price.

Many weights and measures officials inspect scanners to make sure you are charged the correct price. If the scanners are inaccurate, consumers and businesses can both lose money.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

  • Watch as the price of the item shows on the checkout register.
  • After the sale is completed, ask the clerk to check the price if you think the scanned price is incorrect.
  • If the scanned price does not agree with the posted price, request the difference in price. A Super Refund can also be requested if you are at a store that has been granted a Waiver from Item Pricing.
  • Save the cash register receipt in case you have questions or a problem later.
  • If the problem is not resolved, contact your local weights and measures office for help.

In Erie County, we enforce provisions of Local Law 7 (1997). ANY retail store in Erie County, with or without a Waiver from Item Pricing, MUST honor the lowest of any advertised price (shelf tag, sticker on the item, sign in the window, printed ad ) and refund the difference in price to the customer. Stores that have been granted a Waiver from Item Pricing are required to pay out a 'super refund' when a pricing error occurs. This is 10 times the amount of the error, not less than $1 or more than $10, plus the amount of the error. They are required to properly fill out Erie County's Price Discrepancy Report and give a copy to the consumer.

Stores that have a Waiver from Item Pricing will have a sign posted at their entrance

If unsure whether a store has a Waiver from Item Pricing, call the Weights & Measures office at (716) 825-1310 or send an email to weightsmeasures@erie.gov to verify.

Submit a Complaint

This information was brought to you by The National Conference on Weights and Measures.

OTHER AGENCIES:

Weights and Measures does NOT have jurisdiction over:

▪ Price gouging, for complaints regarding price gouging please contact the New York State Attorney General’s Buffalo Regional Office, (716)853-8400, consumerfrauds.buffalo@ag.ny.gov, or use this complaint form.

▪ Bottle deposits are monitored by the Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Materials Management Bureau of Waste Reduction and Recycling, (518)402-8706, nybottle@dec.ny.gov or use this complaint form.

▪ Liquor stores are governed by the New York State Liquor Authority, to reach the NYS Liquor Authority call (518)474-3114 and press 2, enforcement@sla.ny.gov or use this complaint form.

▪ Manufacturers coupons, we can only intercede for store coupons, such as those advertised in a weekly ad.

▪ Online prices, we only have jurisdiction over the prices posted at the brick and mortar location.

▪ Sales Tax, for concerns with the amount of tax on an item purchased you would need to contact New York State Tax call (518)485-2889, or visit https://www.tax.ny.gov/.