Follow-Up: Re Porter Square Star Market: Buying Meat? Check Your Receipt

[siderea]

I've been remiss in catching you all up on what happened:

I got a call from Jim Cassidy, the inspector for Cambridge Weights and Measures, last Monday, that he'd done a spot inspection of Star.

He didn't find anything amiss at the scanners[*], but armed with the evidence submitted by another davis_square denizen, he had a talk with management. Apparently they were aware of the discussion here ("We lost the element of surprise. There's something called, er, 'Universal Hub'?")

But he made it very clear that neither I nor anyone else should shy away from blogging about these things; after all, it turned up useful evidence.

He said he'd be keeping a close eye on them and would be spot checking them more in the future. He strongly encouraged all of us to call, email, or use the web form if we encounter any further scanner errors: he reminded me that his office relies on consumers to be their eyes and ears. So don't be shy about reporting it! He was very pleased and appreciative that so many folks got involved.

So that's where things are at.

[* He did find an out-of-order price check machine, which is not okay, and which management said they'd fix pronto. FYI price check machines are now a big deal, as they are a concession for the relaxing of certain price labeling laws: they don't have to put a little sticky label on everything if there are enough working price check machines.]

Comments

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the followup! Good to know the government's looking out for us in this way.

[cfox.livejournal.com]

So if cost-to-me is no object, and I just want to see the vendor corrected, does it make the most sense to pay for the item at the incorrect price then file a complaint with the evidence in hand?

Does it weaken the case to forgo holding up the line? If pointing out the error on the spot gets partial correction (like, they sell it to me at the correct price, but don't fix the system), have I reduced the evidence available for W&M to work with?

[siderea]

Does it weaken the case to forgo holding up the line?

IANAL, but I don't think so. If you have the package tag showing one price and a receipt showing another, I think that's adequate.

After all, the "must fix it if brought to their attention" law is a different law than "scanner is supposed to have sale prices in the first place" law. If you want the second fixed, the first is kinda immaterial.

[josephineave.livejournal.com]

By law, if the item scans incorrectly, the first one should be given to you for free (or reduced in price by $10 if it usually costs over $10). You should bring that to Shaw's attention, either at the register or at customer service, and get your free item. Giving away groceries gets their attention quickly.

You can then file a complaint with the same evidence -- the receipt and the labeled price. Though, I suppose paying and then correcting gives you more evidence than fixing at the register -- though it depends on how they ring it up. If it says something like "OVER-RING CORRECTION" on the receipt, then you have evidence as well.

If you really want them to fix it, tell everyone about the mistake and make sure they come in to get a free package of meat.

[cfox.livejournal.com]

Well, I think there's two different non-optimal likely cases:
a) like Siderea experienced, staff does not competently offer refund or corrected price, and simply flails and stalls
b) register staff corrects the price, but does not give free item; electronic receipt hides the removed scan

I know I've seen (b) happen; I'm starting to wonder if just buying it at the high price and shaming them after the fact is more expedient for someone who's willing to put small amounts of money and time into righting a wrong.

[cfox.livejournal.com]

Thank you for raising awareness.

A different local grocery store has a routine practice of leaving the most expensive item in a category unlabelled, and not providing self-service price scanners. I have opened a request with the appropriate weights & measures officer with some specifics, to see if it can be remedied. I will report back if the experience is notable in any way.

(This strikes me as a considerably more minor offense, but if enforcement of labeling laws is readily available, I see no reason why I shouldn't avail myself of it. Asking nicely at customer service has had no noticeable effect.)

[ron_newman]

Which other local grocery?

[borgin.livejournal.com]

I had no idea there were price check machines at Shaws. Part of the reason I never buy bread is because I can't figure out how much the ones with the ingredients I like cost.