Family Dollar Stores in Mecklenburg, Union Counties Fined for Overcharging
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Family Dollar stores in the counties of Mecklenburg and Union have been fined for significant price scanning inaccuracies. This comes following a series of routine inspections carried out by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services aimed at ensuring price accuracy in stores across North Carolina.
The inspections focused on the accuracy of price scanners in the stores, and whether the scanned price matched the advertised price. Stores found with a higher than 2% error rate on overcharges were initially issued a warning, following which their situation was discussed with the store manager and a follow-up inspection was scheduled. If the store failed the subsequent inspection, the fines were levied.
Cases In Focus
The Family Dollar at 4005 Sunset Road had to pay fines amounting to over $12,000 and still owes an additional $5,000. During the initial inspection held in October 2023, the store had a 7% error rate, recording seven overcharges in a 100-item lot inspection. During follow-up inspections from November 2023 to May 2024, the error rates ranged from 19.33% to 6.67%, justifying penalty assessment. The store is due for another inspection soon.
Meanwhile, in Union County, even steeper penalties were exacted. The Family Dollar at 7907 Idlewild Road in Indian Trail was penalized over $23,000 following eight failed inspections. The initial inspection held in March 2023 found an egregious 18% error rate representing nine overcharges in a 50-item lot. Further inspections carried out up until April this year showed a varying error rate ranging from 8% to 3% with overcharges in 300-item lots. The June inspection found a 6.33% error rate, leading to the application of a $5,000 penalty.
Further stores in North Carolina that were fined for price scanning errors include Family Dollar stores in Burlington, Winston-Salem and Hertford, alongside the Dollar General in Vass, and Target in Morrisville.
Consumer Vigilance Advised
Cardholders and individuals looking to make their purchases, especially during the busy travel months of July and August, are advised to be vigilant at the point of sale. “Overcharges cost consumers, so we remain vigilant in inspecting stores to save people money.” comments Steve Troxler, Agriculture Commissioner.
Should you discover inaccuracies in pricing at the register when you make purchases, you are encouraged to lodge a complaint to the Standards Division at (984) 236-4750.
