Wal-Mart Agrees to Settlement in Pricing Case

SAN DIEGO — Wal-Mart locations in California will pay consumers $3 at the register when they make a pricing error, according to terms that are part of a settlement over price-scanning errors announced Monday by officials here.

The settlement, announced by California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr., dates back to a 2005 investigation that found Wal-Mart stores in California were scanning items at a higher price than the prices advertised on store shelves and signs. Through random price-checking, officials found that 164 Wal-Mart stores in 30 California counties had made scanning errors. On average, customers who were overcharged paid an extra $8.40 at the checkout.

“Consumers saw one price in the aisles, but were charged a higher price at the cash register. With this agreement, Wal-Mart will give customers $3 back when pricing mistakes are found at the cash register,” Brown said in a statement. “In these tough times, this will help consumers as the holiday season approaches.”

Wal-Mart was not immediately available for comment.

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