LOCAL CONSUMER WARNING

I’ve recently discovered that one of our local grocers is overcharging customers, often by significant amounts. (In my own experience, I’m being sporadically over-charged anywhere from $5 to $30 per purchase).

I actually respect the legal premise of caveat emptor, but let’s face it:

a) when most of us buy groceries, we’re tired after work and just want to go home

b) we’re complacent because we want to think our local grocer is honest

After much observation I’ve concluded that our local grocer is running a racket. Here’s how it works:

1) Their registers don’t always close out the sale of the previous purchase. When you or I come along, we buy our groceries BUT the sale from the previous customer is tacked on to yours.

2) This doesn’t happen when you buy one or two items (much too obvious). It only happens when you purchase upwards of several. Then, the previous customer’s purchase of, say, bubble gum and beer, gets added on to yours discreetly (demonstrating intent).

Only since I’ve been paying attention have I caught on to this. Tonight, I forced the cashier to give me $10 back in cash. Last week, it was $30\. A few days before, another $10 or $12.

In addition, this store does not issue an itemized receipt unless you ask for one. And the receipt they do give you doesn’t list the actual items you’ve purchase, only numeric amounts. This only serves to further obfuscate matters in their favor.

There gets a point when caveat emptor gets old. These are every day purchases and it’s happening to EVERYONE. Over the past three years since I’ve been shopping at this store, always feeling like I’ve spent a little too much… probably a lot more. Who knows how much I’ve overspent. Probably on the order of $1K.

I’d like to know if anyone has had a similar experience. Or, if there’s some legal advice out there, I’m all ears. I’m definitely not looking to recoup anything. Rather, just bring attention to the problem and put a stop to it.

dmbojo

in Quality of Life 13 years and 8 months ago

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chinch | 13 years and 8 months ago

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Looks like you’re not the only one who’s noticing:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/18/violations-found-in-nearly-60-of-supermarkets/

Minmin | 13 years and 8 months ago

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I didn’t think s/he was being passive aggressive, and I can see why he/she wouldn’t necessarily want to name the store or possibly even the neighborhood.  It might not be the STORE’s unwritten evil policy, but a larcenous clerk’s.  I think he was just asking people of Brooklyn to pay attention.  I know I really burn when I don’t get itemized receipts at some markets.  I know they are under-reporting income; if they are skimming from customers that’s even worse.  Once could be a mistake; heck TWICE could be a mistake, but this does seem to happen too frequently.

dmbojo | 13 years and 8 months ago

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I’m not being passive aggressive. I posted this because I thought someone would have some useful advice on how to deal with this matter.

Maybe if I get no satisfaction from the Dept of Consumer Affairs and it happens again, I will name the store.

denton | 13 years and 8 months ago

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It ain’t libel if it’s true. But yeah, what nabe?

Arkady | 13 years and 8 months ago

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Would it be libelous if the OP gave the approx location of the store?

snappyglitter | 13 years and 8 months ago

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You are making some serious allegations here.  I can understand why you wouldn’t want to name the store, but you have to know that without the name, this info doesn’t do anyone any good. My suggestion is that you get in contact with the NYC Dept. of Consumer Affairs and file an official complaint to have this investigated by someone who can actually do something about it, if in fact your allegations are true. Visit NYC.gov and go to their site from there.  You may be able to complete the complaint form online.

kidbklyn | 13 years and 8 months ago

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Why are you shopping there?

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 8 months ago

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Why bother with this passive-aggressive post if you’re not going to name them?????  Also, how, specifically does it happen????