12 stores pay fines for price-scanning errors

RALEIGH, N.C. — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Standards Division collected fines from stores in Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Johnston, Mecklenburg, Robeson and Rockingham counties for excessive price-scanning errors.

If a store has more than a 2 percent error rate on overcharges, inspectors discuss the findings with the store manager and conduct a more intensive follow-up inspection at a later date. Undercharges are also reported, but do not count against a store.

Penalties are assessed if a store fails the follow-up inspection.

Following are stores that paid civil penalties in the second quarter of 2014:
 
Staples at 112 Wilkesboro Blvd., Lenoir, paid $1,300 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in February found an error rate of 5 percent, based on five overcharges in a 100-item lot. A second inspection in March found an error rate of 3.67 percent, based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $1,300 in civil penalties and passed re-inspection in May with a 1.33 percent error rate.

Walgreens at 231 E. Dixon Blvd., Shelby, paid a total of $2,690 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in March found an error rate of 4 percent, based on four overcharges on a 100-item lot. A second inspection in April found an error rate of 4.67 percent based on 14 overcharges on a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid $1,545 in civil penalties for the violation. A third inspection in June found an error rate of 3 percent, based on nine overcharges on a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid $1,145 in civil penalties and will be re-inspected.

Dollar General at 904 E. Church St., Cherryville, paid $1,140 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in January found an error rate of 3 percent, based on three overcharges in a 100-item lot. A second inspection in March found an error rate of 2.67 percent, based on eight overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid $1,140 in civil penalties. The store was re-inspected in May and passed with an error rate of 1.67 percent.

Dollar General at 1811 S. New Hope Road, Gastonia, paid $607.50 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in March revealed an error rate of 10 percent, based on five overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in May found an error rate of 3 percent, based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $607.50 in civil penalties and will be re-inspected.

Dollar General at 1130 S. Pollock St., Selma, paid $367.50 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in January revealed an error rate of 8 percent, based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in March found an error rate of 2.33 percent, based on seven overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $367.50 in civil penalties. A third inspection in June found an error rate of 6.33 percent, based on 19 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store was assessed, but has not paid, a $3,035 fine, and will be re-inspected.

Family Dollar at 828 S. 3rd St., Smithfield, was assessed $1,755 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in January revealed an error rate of 6 percent, based on three overcharges on a 50-item lot. A second inspection in March revealed an error rate of 5 percent, based on 15 overcharges on a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid a $1,755 fine. The store was re-inspected in June and passed with an error rate of 2 percent.

CVS at 1533 South Blvd., Charlotte, paid $2,145 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in March found an error rate of 8 percent, based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in April found an error rate of 9.33 percent, based on 28 overcharges on a 300-item lot.  The store was assessed and paid $2,145 in civil penalties. The store failed its June inspection with an error rate of 3 percent, based on nine overcharges on a 300-item lot. It was assessed, but has not paid, an additional $1,685 in civil penalties. The store will be re-inspected.

CVS at 9805 Rocky River Road, Charlotte, paid $585 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in March found an error rate of 6 percent, based on three overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in April found an error rate of 3.67 percent, based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid $585 in civil penalties. The store will be re-inspected.

Pep Boys at 5020 South Blvd., Charlotte, paid $2,325 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in January revealed an error rate of 8 percent, based on four overcharges on a 50-item lot. A second inspection in February found an error rate of 7.67 percent, based on 23 overcharges on a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid a $2,325 fine and will be re-inspected.

Target at 9531 South Blvd., Charlotte, paid $2,455 in civil penalties after failing a re-inspection in May. The inspection found an error rate of 3 percent, based on nine overcharges on a 300-item lot. The store also failed inspections in November 2013, January and March, and previously paid penalties. The store was assessed and paid $2,455 in fines and will be re-inspected.

CVS at 2771 W. 5th St., Lumberton, paid $2,025 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in February found an error rate of 26 percent, based on 13 overcharges on a 50-item lot. A second inspection in March found an error rate of 11.33 percent, based on 34 overcharges on an inspection lot of 300 items. The store was assessed and paid $2,025 in civil penalties. The store passed inspection in June with an error rate of 1.67 percent.

Dollar General at 519 Morgan Road., Eden, paid $600 in civil penalties. An initial inspection found an error rate of 6 percent, based on three overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in April revealed an error rate of 2.67 percent, based on eight overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid $600 in civil penalties and will be re-inspected.

WSOC