Dollar General reaches settlement on inflated prices

Dollar General has agreed to pay just over $850,000 after it was discovered that stores in Wisconsin were overcharging shoppers, reports Madison affiliate WMTV.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection verified prices on over 7,000 products in over 200 Dollar General stores and found 662 instances where the prices were more at checkout than on the shelves.

On average, prices were 17% more when they were scanned. The investigation took place between Jan. 30 and Feb. 10.

“The accuracy of prices on stores is among the most basic and essential protections consumers have,” the department’s Secretary Randy Romanski said. “Consumers should be able to trust that the prices advertised to them are accurate, and they have a right to be informed of the laws protecting them.”

Dollar General said it had no knowledge of the price increase but signed off on the settlement. The retailer also faced 53 allegations related to the state’s refund policy disclosure laws.

A total of 45 stores did not post a sign informing shoppers about refund policies at price scanners. According to state law, the sign is supposed to let shoppers know that the state requires retailers to refund the difference between what is posted on the product and what is charged at the register.

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When investigators did a second check of the 45 stores that did not have the sign posted, eight were still missing the information.

Dollar General also agreed to put policies in place that included regular price accuracy checks every 45 days.

“Dollar General is committed to providing customers with accurate prices on items purchased in our stores, and we are disappointed any time we fail to deliver on this commitment,” Dollar General said in a statement. “We have appreciated the constructive approach to resolving this matter with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.”