Are Scanning Errors Costing You? How To Catch Grocery Pricing Mistakes Before You Leave the Store

Most of us assume that if a grocery item scans, it must be the correct price.

Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

Pricing databases have to be updated, sale prices change every week, shelf tags get moved and employees occasionally make mistakes. Retailers are periodically checked for pricing accuracy by state and local Weights and Measures divisions, but errors still happen.

Most stores work hard to keep prices correct, and the vast majority of pricing mistakes are just that—mistakes. But if you don’t notice them (and the error is not in your favor), you’re still the one who pays.

You don’t have to memorize every price in the store to protect yourself. A few simple habits can help you catch many of the most common pricing errors.

1. Pay Special Attention to Sale Items

Items on sale are among the most likely to ring up incorrectly.

That’s because sale prices change frequently, and stores have to update both shelf tags and computer systems at the same time.

If you’re shopping during the first day or two of a new sales cycle, it’s especially worthwhile to pay attention.

Know which items on your shopping list are supposed to be on sale so you’ll recognize if one rings up at the regular price.

2. Make Sure the Shelf Tag Matches the Product

Sometimes the problem isn’t the scanner.

It’s the shelf tag.

A tag may have been placed in front of the wrong item, or the correct product may have sold out and been replaced with a different size or variety while the old sale tag remained.

Before putting an item in your cart, check that:

• The product matches the shelf tag.
• The size is correct.
• The variety or flavor matches the advertised sale.

This small habit can prevent disappointment—and overpaying—at checkout.

3. Watch Price-Per-Pound Items Carefully

Pricing mistakes on canned goods may only cost a few cents.

Pricing mistakes on meat, seafood, cheese or produce sold by weight can cost several dollars.

Pay attention to:

• Sale prices per pound.
• Weight labels.
• Produce sold individually versus by weight.

A small error multiplied across several pounds can add up quickly.

4. Double-Check Unplanned Purchases

We’ve all spotted an unexpected sale while walking through the store.

If you decide to buy something that wasn’t on your list, take an extra second to note the advertised price.

Sometimes an old sale tag remains on the shelf after the promotion has ended.

Other times, the sale is valid only for a specific size or variety.

If you know what you expected to pay, you’ll be much more likely to notice if the price is different at checkout.

5. Stay Focused During Checkout

Many stores now display each scanned price on a customer-facing screen.

Take advantage of it.

It’s easy to become distracted by your phone, conversations or bagging groceries while items are being scanned.

Instead, glance at the screen occasionally to make sure:

• Sale prices appear correctly.
• Coupons are deducted.
• Quantities are accurate.
• Nothing scans twice.

If you use self-checkout or your store offers scan-as-you-shop technology through its app, you may find it even easier to monitor prices as you go.