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The Arizona Department of Weights and Measures released the 2002 UPC Pricing Accuracy Results which show that 41% of the 2,418 UPC pricing accuracy inspections conducted between January 1 and October 31, 2002 failed. Although the 41% failure rate is a major improvement from last year’s 57% failure rate, the Department warns shoppers to check their receipts twice. 

“We’re pleased with the progress retailers are making in preventing scanning errors, but there are still plenty of errors that require consumers to be wary of paying too much,” stated Sandy Williams, Director of the Department. “To make sure you’re not overcharged, shoppers should write down shelf prices, watch the register display and check the receipt before leaving the store.”

According to Arizona law (A.R.S. 41-2081), all retailers are subject to UPC pricing accuracy inspections. The inspection consists of either sampling 25 or 50 items (depending on the number of cash registers and the amount of products the store offers). The UPC inspection verifies the posted price of the sample items selected against the price charged at the register. There can be no more than one error to pass the UPC inspection. “The bar is set pretty high to pass, but if a retailer had one error out of 50 items, they could have as many as 600 errors if the store carries 30,000 items. Retailers that fail could have thousands of products that scan incorrectly,” explained Williams.

Here are the ten best and worst retailers that had four or more UPC inspections for the report period based on average compliance score:

Best Retailers: Big Lots, Quiktrip, Anchor Blue, 3 D Petroleum, Alco Discount, Giant Service Stations, Dillard’s, Safeway, Michaels Arts & Crafts, Barnes & Noble

Worst Retailers: Kelly Moore Paint, Dunn Edwards, Pearl Arts & Crafts, Showcase Home Entertainment, 99 Cent Discount Store, Benjamin Moore Paint, Sherwin Williams, GAP , Jerry’s Audio Video, Macys

This year bookstores had the highest overall average inspection score of all store categories with a score of 98.77%. Hardware/paint stores had the lowest overall average inspection score of 86.11%. Here are the the five best and worst UPC Inspection scores by retailer category with four or more inspections:

Best Store Category: Bookstores, Warehouse Stores, Vet/Pet Food Supplies, Grocery, Office Supply

Worst Store Category: Hardware/Paint, Fabric Stores, Mass Merchandisers, Electronics, Arts & Crafts

Despite the fact that scanning accuracy is problematic, improvement has been noticeable this year compared to 2001. Failure rates have declined 16%. Vet/Pet and Office Supply stores have improved by more than 4% in their average score. Retailers that have shown the most improvement include Claire’s Boutiques, Maverick Country Store, Cobblestone Auto Spa, 76 Desert Fuels, Good Earth Health Food and Petco. 

The AZ Department of Weights and Measures also reviews the number of errors that register as undercharges (in favor of the customer) and overcharges (in favor of the retailer). Based on the inspections conducted this year, scanning errors were in favor of the public almost 2 to 1. “Although a shopper may benefit from an undercharge, the error could be in favor of the retailer the next time,” warns Dennis Ehrhart, Assistant Director - Compliance. Retailers that had the highest percentage of overcharges when an error occurred during an inspection include Dunn Edwards, PETsMART, Home Depot, Frazee Paint and Wall Covering, Cigarettes Cheaper and Conoco Phillips. 

The Department issues civil penalties to retailers who fail more than one UPC inspection and have at least one overcharge. Fines can be assessed up to $500 per violation. The top three retailers with the largest dollar amount of UPC fines for 2002 for the report period are Kmart $28,350, Walgreen’s $6,300 and Auto Zone $3,200. Civil penalties are also assessed if a retailer does not have a written UPC scanning error policy. Consumers, by law, must be shown a written scanning error policy upon request that shows how a retailer will correct a scanning error. 

With 20 Compliance Officers to regulate all Arizona retailers, the Department relies heavily on consumers to be their eyes and ears in the marketplace. To help shoppers determine which stores have been naughty and which have been nice when it comes to pricing accuracy, all of the 2002 UPC inspection results can be found at the AZ Department of Weights and Measures Web site. To view the results, click on the UPC Inspection Results button.

SHOPPING TIPS
The Department advises consumers to do the following every time they shop:

1. Bring ads with you.

2. Write down prices. By law, retailers are required, upon your request, to provide you with a pen so you can write down prices.

3. Watch the cash register display at the check out counter.

4. Speak up when a scanning error occurs.

5. When you catch a scanning error, ask for the store’s written policy regarding errors in pricing. All retailers are required to have a written policy available to their customers upon request. Some retailers have policies that state items are to be given to customers at no charge if an item scans incorrectly.

6. Check your receipt before you leave the store.

7. Call the Department of Weights and Measures at (602) 255-5211 if a scanning error isn't fixed to your satisfaction.

©2002 Judy Hedding, licensed to About.com
Information Provided by the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures