Nine North Carolina retailers were fined again for overcharging customers

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This year, Nine North Carolina retailers were fined over $162,325 combined for overcharging customers. The fines stem from excessive price-scanning errors identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division.

Key Points:

1. Charlotte Region Fines:
2. • Family Dollar at 4005 Sunset Road, Charlotte: Fined $12,610 with an additional $5,000 penalty pending. Initial inspection in October 2023 revealed a 7% error rate. Follow-up inspections showed error rates from 6.7% to 19.3%.
   • Family Dollar at 7907 Idlewild Road, Indian Trail: Fined $23,575 with an additional $5,000 penalty pending. Initial inspection in March 2023 revealed an 18% error rate. Follow-up inspections showed error rates from 3% to 8%.
3. Statewide Fines:
4. • Family Dollar at 2206 West Webb Ave., Burlington: Fined $8,370 for four failed inspections.
   • Family Dollar at 1425 Waughtown St., Winston-Salem: Fined $37,345 for nine failed inspections.
   • Family Dollar at 550 MLK Blvd., Winston-Salem: Fined $52,215 for 11 failed inspections.
   • Walgreens at 2912 Main St., Walkertown: Fined $2,295 for two failed inspections.
   • Family Dollar at 1678 Ocean Hwy., Hertford: Fined $13,650 for five failed inspections.
   • Dollar General at 4500 Lebelia Road, Vass: Fined $915 for two failed inspections.
   • Target at 3001 Market Center Drive, Morrisville: Fined $1,350 for two failed inspections.
5. Inspection Details:
6. • Retail stores are inspected periodically and unannounced to ensure shelf and register prices match.
   • Stores are fined for failing to meet a 2% or less price-scanning error rate.
   • Stores with more than a 2% error rate are re-inspected every 60 days until they meet the standard.
7. State Fines and Compliance:
8. • So far this year, fines for overcharging customers have totaled over $419,195 across dozens of retailers in North Carolina.
   • Last year, fines totaled $462,480 for various stores including AutoZone, Circle K, Walgreens, and Walmart.
9. Customer Actions:
10. • Customers should check that prices at the register match those on the shelf.
    • Discrepancies should be reported to store employees and can also be reported to the state Standards Division at 984-236-4750.

Retailers in North Carolina, including several Family Dollar locations, have been fined significant amounts for overcharging customers. Periodic inspections help ensure pricing accuracy, and stores that fail to meet standards are subject to re-inspection and additional fines. Customers are encouraged to report price discrepancies to both the store and the state for resolution.