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Safeway shoppers were overcharged

on some items dating back to 2022 selmo’s was two weeks later.
Marin County officials The Pleasanton-based chain’s Marin
find pricing accuracy fell County stores were overcharging custom-
ers on such items as cheese, rung up at 50
to 58% since pandemic cents higher; and avocados supposed to sell
four for $5, priced at $12 instead, county
By SUSAN WOOD officials said.
The North Bay Business Journal Discrepancies also were discovered in
the housewares aisle with laundry deter-
With some grocers still out of com- gent rung up as more than what county
pliance, inspectors from Marin County inspectors said was “the correct price.”
Weights and Measures have found pricing In response, Safeway said it’s committed
discrepancies in some area Safeway stores. to ensuring its customers pay the “lowest
The discrepancies date back to early applicable advertised price on a product,”
2022, with both the Corte Madera and San spokeswoman Wendy Gutshall said.
Anselmo stores failing to pass re-inspec- “Any customers who may have been
tions in June. inadvertently charged a higher price are
The Business Journal submitted a pub- eligible to receive a gift card or the item
lic records request to find out what the for free as outlined under Safeway’s price
re-inspection dates were. Corte Madera’s accuracy guarantee policy, which can be
last inspection was June 15, and San An- found posted in Safeway stores,” she said.
California law defines the correct price County Weights and Measures requires
as the “lowest price,” Marin County 98% accuracy.
Weights and Measures Assistant Director
Scott Wise said. The department runs out
“With most things, it’s hard to be per-
fect,” Wise said.
of the county Agriculture Commissioner’s Either way, Wise urged all shoppers
office and conducts routine inspections to check their receipts, preferably before
each year to check on accurate pricing. leaving the store — which is another im-
The state fined the grocery store chain perfection for many shoppers.
$1.7 million in 2008 on behalf of county dis- When asked if inflation plays a role in the
trict attorneys over pricing discrepancies. failure of shoppers noticing discrepancies,
Before the state becomes involved with Wise offered another reason for the errors
multiple infractions, counties may fine a and missed opportunities.
store up to $1,000 for three offenses. “Typically, people are busy. Few of us
Along with annual inspections, the actually stop and check our receipts, and
Marin County Weights and Measures some do when they get home,” he said.
department publishes a consumer report
each year. In this North Bay county, Wise Susan Wood covers law, cannabis,
said his agency found that retailers were production, tech, energy, transportation,
78% accurate pre-COVID After the pan- agriculture, banking and finance. She
demic subsided, that figure dropped to 58% can be reached at 530-545-8662 or susan.
across all sectors. wood@busjrnl.com