Ten stores in nine North Carolina counties were fined by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division for price scanning errors during the last quarter of 2025.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said, “We continued to see fewer price scanner errors in 2025, which is good news for shoppers. We continue to check prices in retail locations, which hopefully means fewer surprises at the register and more confidence that consumers are paying exactly what they expect. It’s always a good idea to pay attention to the advertised prices.”
The department carries out unannounced inspections of price-scanner systems at businesses to ensure that the prices displayed match those charged at checkout. If a store records an overcharge error rate above 2%, inspectors notify the manager and schedule a follow-up inspection. Undercharges are also recorded but do not count against the store. Customers can report scanner errors by calling the Standards Division at 984-236-4750.
Stores that fail follow-up inspections receive penalties and must undergo additional inspections every 60 days until their error rate falls below 2%. Additional fines may be imposed if further reinspections are failed.
The following penalties were issued in late 2025:
– In Brunswick County, Dollar General at 1745 Southport Supply in Bolivia paid three fines totaling $9,300 after failing three inspections with error rates ranging from 7.67% to 10%. The store will be reinspected.
– Rural King in Conover (Catawba County) paid $5,000 after two failed inspections with initial error rates up to 16%. The store passed inspection in December.
– Family Dollar in Sunbury (Gates County) paid $4,500 after two failed inspections with error rates up to 14%. The store passed inspection in December.
– Family Dollar in Ahoskie (Hertford County) paid $8,525 following three failed inspections with consistent error rates above 8%. The store will be reinspected.
– Circle K in Lincolnton (Lincoln County) paid $1,025 after a failed October inspection showing a 5% error rate. The store passed inspection later.
– Circle K on South Tryon St., Charlotte (Mecklenburg County), paid $1,975 after failing a September inspection with a 7% error rate. The store later passed reinspection.
– Family Dollar on North Tryon St., Charlotte (Mecklenburg County), was fined $1,860 after two failed inspections and will be reinspected.
– Dollar General in Norman (Richmond County) paid $885 after failing an inspection with initial error rates up to 10%. The store later passed reinspection.
– Dollar General on Greenville Highway, Brevard (Transylvania County), paid fines totaling $7,770 after repeated failures with error rates near or above 9%. The store eventually passed reinspection.
– Staples on Blowing Rock Road, Boone (Watauga County), was fined $4,670 for three failed inspections including one instance where nearly one-fifth of items were overcharged; it subsequently passed reinspection.
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services works to protect consumers through these efforts as part of its broader mission that includes food safety and sustainable farming practices (official website). Commissioner Steve Troxler has led the department’s initiatives (official website). Agriculture is significant for North Carolina’s economy and consumer protection remains a focus (official website).
