The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has collected fines from 10 stores in nine counties because of excessive price-scanner errors.

“Our Standards Division is vigilant in inspecting stores across the state for scanner errors that cost consumers money,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “This work focuses on ensuring that North Carolinians are charged the prices they see on shelves and not more. I’m happy to see that this report is shorter than previous quarters as compliance has improved statewide. Our team will continue to inspect stores, but it is also important for consumers to check their receipts often and notify store managers if they see an issue.”

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% 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%-or-less error rate. Additional penalties may be assessed if a store fails reinspection.

Following are civil penalties recorded in the second quarter of 2023:

• (Brunswick) Dollar General at 6675 Beach Drive SW, Ocean Isle paid $1,910 in penalties. An initial inspection in January found an error rate of 16% based on eight overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in February found an error rate of 7% based on 21 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A follow-up inspection in May found an error rate of 4% based on 12 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection this month with a 0.33% error rate.
• (Gaston) Dollar General at 1801 Hickory Grove Road, Gastonia paid $2,130 in penalties. An initial inspection in March found an error rate of 20% based on 10 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in April found an error rate of 6.33% based on 19 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in June.
• (Guilford) Circle K at 3101 Pleasant Garden Road, Greensboro paid $1,895 in penalties. An initial inspection in December 2022 found an error rate of 12% based on three overcharges in a 25-item lot. A follow-up inspection in February found an error rate of 14% based on 14 overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in April found an error rate of 9% based on nine overcharges in a 100-item lot. The store passed inspection in June.
• (Mecklenburg) Auto Zone at 3701 South Blvd., Charlotte paid $975 in penalties. An initial inspection in April found an error rate of 24% based on 12 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in May found an error rate of 4.33% based on 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be reinspected.
• (Mecklenburg) Walmart at 11145 Bryton Town Center, Huntersville paid $1,695 in penalties. An initial inspection in April found an error rate of 6% based on six overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in May found an error rate of 2.67% based on eight overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be reinspected.
• (New Hanover) Dollar General at 1136 Lake Park Blvd. N, Carolina Beach paid $2,675 in penalties. An initial inspection in March found an error rate of 10% based on five overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in April found an error rate of 2.67% based on eight overcharges in a 300-item lot. A follow-up inspection in June found an error rate of 3% based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be reinspected.
• (Stanly) Dollar General at 1920 B U.S. 52 North, Albemarle paid $1,385 in penalties. An initial inspection in January found an error rate of 24% based on 12 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in February found an error rate of 6% based on 18 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A follow-up inspection in April found an error rate of 3.33% based on 10 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in June.
• (Surry) Circle K at 1309 West Pine St., Mount Airy paid $5,790 in penalties. An initial inspection in December 2022 found an error rate of 30% based on 15 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in January found an error rate of 17% based on 17 overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in April found an error rate of 28% based on 28 overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in June found an error rate of 8% based on eight overcharges in a 100-item lot. The store will be reinspected.
• (Vance) Walgreens at 201 Trade St., Henderson paid $1,400 in penalties. An initial inspection in February found an error rate of 14% based on seven overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in March found an error rate of 3.67% based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A follow-up inspection in May found an error rate of 6.67% based on 20 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be reinspected.
• (Watauga) Dollar General at 8879 Hwy 105 South, Boone paid $2,240 in penalties. An initial inspection in February found an error rate of 6% based on three overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection found an error rate of 4.33% based on 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A follow-up inspection in May found an error rate of 4% based on 12 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be reinspected.