The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has imposed fines on two stores due to price scanning errors during the first quarter of 2025.
“We inspect stores to ensure their pricing is accurate and the price at the register matches the price on the shelf,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “While most stores pass inspection, the ones that do not will face fines until they come into compliance.”
The department carries out periodic, unannounced inspections of price-scanner systems in businesses to confirm accuracy between advertised prices and those at the register. If a store exhibits more than a 2% error rate in overcharges, inspectors notify the manager and conduct a more detailed follow-up inspection later. While undercharges are reported, they do not negatively impact the store. Consumers can report scanning errors by calling the Standards Division at 984-236-4750.
Penalties are imposed if a store does not pass a follow-up inspection. Besides the penalties incurred, the store will undergo reinspection every 60 days from the last inspection until it achieves an error rate of 2% or less. Additional fines may follow should a store fail subsequent reinspections.
Civil penalties recorded in the first quarter of 2025 include:
In Davidson, the Speedway located at 19 Cotton Grove Road in Lexington incurred a $405 fine after two failed inspections in 2024. April 2024’s inspection found an error rate of 16% for eight overcharges on a 50-item sample. A follow-up inspection in June 2024 recorded a 3% error rate for three overcharges on a 100-item lot, leading to the $405 fine. The store passed inspection in August 2024 and settled the fine in March.
In Watauga, the Staples at 1275 Blowing Rock Road in Boone was fined $1,005 after failing two inspections in 2024. An initial inspection in February 2024 identified seven overcharges on a 50-item sample, resulting in a 14% error rate. A subsequent inspection in April 2024 revealed a 6.33% error rate for 19 overcharges on 300 items, culminating in the $1,005 fine. The store passed inspection in June 2024 and paid the fine in February.
