23 Central N.C. stores pay fines for price scanning errors

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has collected fines from stores in Anson, Durham, Forsyth, Granville, Guilford, Moore, Johnston, Randolph, Stanly, Union, Vance and Wake counties because of excessive price-scanner errors. 

These stores represent 23 of the 42 stores fined across North Carolina during the first quarter of 2022. 

“As many stores continue to suffer from staffing shortages due to the pandemic, our Standards Division has seen a significant increase in stores with price scanner errors,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “It is always a good practice for consumers to check their receipts as well as the price on the shelf to make sure that they are paying the correct amount.” 

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-percent 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-percent-or-less error rate. Additional penalties may be assessed if a store fails a re-inspection. 

Following are civil penalties recorded in the first quarter of 2022: 

• (Anson) Dollar General at 1301 E. Caswell St., Wadesboro has paid $2,025 in fines. An initial inspection in February found an 18-percent error rate based on nine overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in March found a 7-percent error rate based on 21 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Anson) Dollar General at 8049 U.S. Highway 74 has paid $2,625 in fines. An initial inspection in January found an 8-percent error rate based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in February found an 8-percent error rate based on 24 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Durham) Dollar General at 4623 Hillsborough Road, Durham has paid $4,305 in fines. An initial inspection in October 2021 found a 16-percent error rate based on eight overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November 2021 found a 16.33-percent error rate based on 49 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in January found a 4.33-percent error rate based on 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Forsyth) Family Dollar at 3501 South Main St., Winston-Salem has paid a total of $7,510 in fines. An initial inspection in November 2021 found a 30-percent error rate based on 15 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in January found a 14.67-percent error rate based on 44 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in March found a 6.67-percent error rate based on 20 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Granville) Dollar General at 108 Highway 15 N., Stovall has paid $2,985 in fines. An initial inspection in September 2021 found a 16-percent error rate based on eight overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November 2021 found an 8-percent error rate based on 24 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Granville) Walmart at 105 Lewis St., Oxford has paid $6,425 in fines. An initial inspection in October 2021 found a 13-percent error rate based on 13 overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November 2021 found an 11-percent error rate based on 33 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in January found an 8.33-percent error rate based on 25 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Guilford) Walmart at 121 W. Elmsley Drive, Greensboro has paid $1,995 in fines. An initial inspection in September 2021 found a 5-percent error rate based on five overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November found a 5.33-percent error rate based on 16 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in February.  
• (Moore) Dollar General at 4500 Lebelia Road, Vass has paid $6,950 in fines. An initial inspection in October 2021 found an 8-percent error rate based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November 2021 found a 13-percent error rate based on 39 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in January found an 11.33-percent error rate based on 34 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in March.  
• (Moore) Dollar General at 3350 U.S. Highway 1, Vass has paid $4,745 in fines. An initial inspection in October 2021 found a 26-percent error rate based on 13 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November 2021 found a 5.67-percent error rate based on 17 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in January found a 12-percent error rate based on 36 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Johnston) Dollar General at 6064 U.S. Highway 301 S., Four Oaks has paid $6,695 in fines. An initial inspection in November 2021 found a 30-percent error rate based on 15 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in December 2021 found a 6.33-percent error rate based on 19 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in February found a 16-percent error rate based on 48 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Randolph) CVS Pharmacy at 440 E. Dixie Drive, Asheboro has paid $795 in fines. An initial inspection in July 2021 found a 6-percent error rate based on three overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in August 2021 found a 4-percent error rate based on 12 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in November 2021.  
• (Randolph) Dollar General at 435 N.C. Highway 49 S., Asheboro has paid $5,595 in fines. An initial inspection in August 2021 found a 6-percent error rate based on three overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in September 2021 found a 3-percent error rate based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in December 2021 found a 3.67-percent error rate based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A fourth inspection in February found a 5-percent error rate based on 15 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Stanly) Family Dollar at 103 N. Main St., Norwood has paid $4,470 in fines. An initial inspection in January found a 16-percent error rate based on eight overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in February found a 13.33-percent error rate based on 40 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Union) Dollar General at 505 Jones St., Marshville has paid a total of $10,000 in fines. An initial inspection in October 2021 found a 20-percent error rate based on 10 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in November 2021 found a 20.67-percent error rate based on 62 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in February found a 21-percent error rate based on 63 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Union) Walmart at 2101 Younts Road, Indian Trail has paid a total of $11,745 in fines. An initial inspection in August 2021 found a 4-percent error rate based on four overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in September 2021 found a 4.67-percent error rate based on 14 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in November 2021 found a 3.33-percent error rate based on 10 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A fourth inspection in January found a 3.33-percent error rate based on 10 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A fifth inspection in March found a 3-percent error rate based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected.  
• (Vance) Advance Auto at 390 Raleigh Road, Henderson has paid $3,345 in fines. An initial inspection in June 2021 found a 14-percent error rate based on seven overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in July 2021 found a 2.67-percent error rate based on eight overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in September 2021 found a 7-percent error rate based on 21 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A fourth inspection in November 2021 found a 3-percent error rate based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in January.  
• (Vance) Family Dollar at 1414 E. Andrews Ave., Henderson has paid $7,975 in fines. An initial inspection in November 2021 found a 30-percent error rate based on 15 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in December 2021 found a 15-percent error rate based on 45 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in February found a 7.33-percent error rate based on 22 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Wake) Target at 4191 The Circle At North Raleigh, Raleigh has paid $6,245 in fines. An initial inspection in August 2021 found a 6-percent error rate based on six overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in September 2021 found an 8-percent error rate based on 24 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in November 2021 found a 3.67-percent error rate based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in February. 
• (Wake) Target at 4841 Grove Barton Road, Raleigh has paid $9,760 in fines. An initial inspection in October 2021 found a 11-percent error rate based on 11 overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in December found a 12.67-percent error rate based on 38 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in February found a 9.67-percent error rate based on 29 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Wake) Advance Auto at 7201-100 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh has paid $3,845 in fines. An initial inspection in October 2021 found a 34-percent error rate based on 16 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in December 2021 found a 11.33-percent error rate based on 34 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in February found a 25-percent error rate based on 75 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Wake) Dollar General at 1131 Falls River Ave., Raleigh has paid $7,925 in fines. An initial inspection in November 2021 found an 8-percent error rate based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in December 2021 found an 8-percent error rate based on 24 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in February found an 18.33-percent error rate based on 55 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Wake) Family Dollar at 3210-101 South Wilmington St., Raleigh has paid a total of $11,730 in fines. An initial inspection in June 2021 found a 10-percent error rate based on five overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in July 2021 found a 9.67-percent error rate based on 29 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in September 2021 found a 7-percent error rate based on 21 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A fourth inspection in November 2021 found a 3.33-percent error rate based on 10 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A fifth inspection in January found a 4.67-percent error rate based on 14 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be re-inspected. 
• (Wake) Family Dollar at 3605 Amber Lane, Raleigh has paid $7,600 in fines. An initial inspection in September 2021 found a 22-percent error rate based on 11 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in October 2021 found a 17-percent error rate based on 51 overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in January found a 4.67-percent error rate based on 14 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in March.