Eleven stores across eight counties in North Carolina have been fined by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division due to price scanning errors during the second quarter of 2025.
“Even the smallest price discrepancies can have significant impacts on family budgets,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “When these errors occur, it erodes consumer trust. Our inspectors continue to work hard to ensure transparency, accountability and fairness in the marketplace.”
The department performs periodic, unannounced inspections of price-scanner systems in businesses to verify accuracy between advertised prices and those at checkout. If a store exceeds a 2% error rate on overcharges, inspectors discuss findings with the store manager and conduct more intensive follow-up inspections. Undercharges are noted but do not count against a store. Consumers can report scanner errors by calling the Standards Division at 984-236-4750.
Penalties are applied if a store fails a follow-up inspection. Stores will face reinspection every 60 days until they achieve an error rate of 2% or less. Additional penalties may be imposed for failing reinspections.
In Forsyth County, Circle K at 1400 Union Cross Road in Kernersville paid $1,810 after four failed inspections, having previously paid over $3,000 in penalties in 2024.
In Mecklenburg County, Circle K at 4923 South Tryon St. in Charlotte was fined $1,005 following two failed inspections this year.
In Transylvania County, Dollar General at 6751 Greenville Highway in Brevard faced fines after four failed inspections this year totaling $7,275.
Brunswick County’s Dollar General at 1745 Southport-Supply Road in Bolivia paid $3,945 after failing April and May inspections.
Union County’s Family Dollar at 7909 Idlewild Road in Indian Trail incurred $15,000 in fines from three failed inspections this year.
Alamance County’s Family Dollar at 2206 West Webb Ave. in Burlington paid $3,700 after failing a January inspection but passed an April inspection with no errors.
Mecklenburg’s Family Dollar locations on Central Ave., Beatties Ford Road each faced fines for failed inspections earlier this year but later showed improvement upon reinspection.
Gaston County’s Family Dollar on West Franklin Blvd., Forsyth’s location on Rural Hall Road also faced penalties for similar issues yet managed to pass subsequent reinspections.
Montgomery County’s Tractor Supply Company at East Main St., Biscoe paid $585 following two failed inspections earlier this year with plans for further monitoring going forward.
