Recently I learned about a voluntary retail code that benefits my practice of mentally adding up the prices of grocery purchases that I place in my shopping cart.  I am more aware of scanning errors that occur because I know, to within one or two dollars, my total cash register purchase.  I am able to save money for my diligence.

The Retail Council of Canada Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code states:

• If the correct price of the product is $10 or less, the retailer will give the product to the customer free of charge; or
• If the correct price of the product is higher than $10, the retailer will give the customer a discount of $10 off the corrected price.

So, pay attention as your groceries (or other general merchandise) are scanned at the checkout. Verify that prices are accurate. If you see an error, ask the cashier to give you the item for free. If cashier is unaware of the policy, ask for a manager or go to the customer service desk to claim your free item.

Use the Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code to every shopper’s benefit.

Here is a link to the Code of Practice. Note that the code applies to retailers committed to scanner price accuracy and includes many retail stores.
Look for a sign of participation at the checkout.

Many managers, cashiers or customers are not very familiar with the code. Application of the code helps ease the irritation that happens when your time is wasted having to argue about conflicting prices. If a Code of Practice problem cannot be resolved at the store level, call 1-866-499-4599 to register a complaint.

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