Eleven stores across eight counties have been fined by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division due to price scanning errors. These fines were issued during the second quarter of 2025 following inspections that revealed discrepancies between advertised prices and those charged at the register.
“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 conducts unannounced inspections to verify the accuracy of price-scanner systems in businesses. If a store exhibits more than a 2% error rate in overcharges, inspectors notify store managers and perform follow-up inspections. Undercharges are reported but do not count against a store’s error rate.
Penalties are enforced if a store fails subsequent inspections, with additional reinspections scheduled every 60 days until compliance is achieved. Stores may face further penalties if they continue to fail these checks.
In Forsyth County, Circle K on Union Cross Road in Kernersville was fined $1,810 after failing four inspections this year. In Mecklenburg County, Circle K on South Tryon St. in Charlotte received a $1,005 fine for two failed inspections.
Dollar General locations also faced fines: $3,945 for their Brunswick County location after April and May failures; while their Transylvania County location paid $3,715 following June inspection failures.
Family Dollar stores across several counties were penalized as well: Indian Trail’s branch paid $15,000 after three failed inspections; Burlington’s store settled with $3,700; Central Ave., Charlotte branch incurred a $4,920 fine; Gastonia’s location paid $1,535; Rural Hall’s branch was fined $1,305; Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte faced a penalty of $2,790.
Tractor Supply Co., located in Montgomery County at Biscoe’s East Main St., was fined $585 after two failed assessments this year.
Consumers encountering scanner errors can report them by contacting the Standards Division at 984-236-4750 for further investigation.
