Earlier this week, the Missouri Attorney General, Chris Koster filed a suit against Walgreens resulting in customers being over charged and using deceptive advertising. There were reported instance of products being incorrectly scanned at the register.
For example:
- Lipton Tea on clearance for $1.79 rang up as $3.79
- Oreo Cookies priced at 2/$6 (with no disclosure of higher price for purchasing one) rang up at more than $4
Another recent incident was Purex Detergent. The price was reflected at $4.79 at most stores, but rang up at $5.99 at the registers. Many customers noticed and did not end up paying more than they needed to, however, many did not notice the pricing error and just paid the total as reflected on the register.
So, what, as a shopper can you do about these issues? Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Always watch the register to make sure the prices scan correctly. If you see an error, let the cashier know so it can be corrected right away.
- Check your receipt before you leave the store and find any issues. Show them to the cashier.
- If you are still being overcharged and the cashier will not correct it, contact the manager.
- If you do not receive the correct price as advertised, you can return the item and not purchase it.
Have you ever had any pricing errors at the register? What did your store do?
chris says
This actually happened to me two days ago after I watched the news report about it..(.I live n Missouri) and the cashier actually fixed it right then and there!!! Was a hassle free trip with a minor hiccup!!!
Laura R says
I have seen this first hand. My local store has a “clearance” section. When it first showed up after Easter, but before summer, the price for a huggies jumbo pack of diapers was $5.99. So I bought 5. Now, same size, same package, same isle is $10.99. I pointed this out to the manager last week and she just kept saying things like: really? same package? are you sure it was this store? I also went to return a package of diapers that my daughter outgrew to get another size. The manager (a different one is there all the time) said I could not exchange because they no longer carry size 4 of Walgreens brand diapers, only size 1,2,3, and 5. Having all 4 of my kids and being out of diapers I bit my tongue and PAID $4.00 for a package of diapers that I brought in the store. I for one, will certainly be adding myself to this lawsuit.
Pat says
Yes, always on the clearance, Wags has to enter the price!
Gena says
Earlier in the week I purchased Purex at Walgreens in Liberty/KC and it rang up correctly. Went back to the same store yesterday, purchased 6 more, and it rang up $5.99. I bought 5 of one scent and 1 of another. My receipt shows 5 @5.79 or 3/5.99. On the single scent it reflects the same, however on the right side of the receipt the charges are $9.99 and $1.99. Divided by 2, I was charged $5.99 each. Frustrating to say the least.
Sara says
Walgreens prices are confusing because every week they change the sales. I shop there frequently because it is close to my house. If you go on the weekend (when they are changing the sales) it is the most chaotic. Either they haven’t taken down the old tags yet (so you see the sale price from last week but it rings up at full price) or they put the new tags up early (so the sale hasn’t started yet and it rings up at full price). When I check out, they never ask if I have a rewards card. I have to tell them I have one and to scan it. I don’t know if this is a problem with their employees being poorly trained, or if they are trying to keep customers from getting the sale prices. Also a lot of the clearance items ring up at full price.
Dina says
I agree with all of the above statements, it has happened to me every time I have went to our new Walgreens. I told my friend after last week I wouldn’t be back. First you always have to ask them to scan your card, Second none of the people working there understand coupons, Third prices are always wrong ect ect…. It was way to expensive after the transaction was complete and after standing there for 30 min at checkout for one transaction that should have been easy as pie I was ready to leave. The cashier told my friend she couldn’t use a manufacture coupon, because it had redeem at walmart printed on it. She ended up pushing over half of her stuff away I will stick to dollar general in my location I get the best deals
Nancy says
I purchased some arthritis relief rub(brand name) the price was 11.99, I went to another big name store and the same arthritis rub and same size was $6.89…what the heck, a $5.10 markup on this product. Of course the manager would not do anything about it. Walgreens has left a bad taste in my mouth. I go in they do not have the product, no substitutes, wrong prices ring up, lousy cashiers and price gouging….I do not go in unless it is from and ER visit in the middle of the night anymore.
Jim says
Tracie, I hate to say I told you so, but, I TOLD YOU SO! I called this practice of overcharging to your attention over a year ago thinking that a consumer advocate such as yourself would look into it. The only people that should shop at Walgreens is someone with lots of extra time to argue price correction with the cashier or have to return to the manager for a price adjustment. Me, my time is too valuable to shop at a store which is out to steal from it’s customers. The only way to stop these type of practices is to stop shopping (or featuring) for these deals.
Linda says
Yes, I agree Walgreen’s has its problems – especially on clearance items which haven’t been updated in the computer system. I monitor as things are rung up and am lucky that my local Walgreen’s is very good about fixing the price (and they always ask for my card). I do know that varies from store to store as there is one by my work where the cashier always treats me like I am trying to steal the contents of the store when I question her. But I also want to point out that this problem doesn’t just exist at Walgreen’s. In the past couple of weeks, I have had incorrect charges at Hy-Vee and Hen House. I always review my receipt from any store before I leave the parking lot. In the Hen House case, it was immediately corrected. In the Hy-Vee case, it was a matter of the CSR not knowing the ad and repeatedly telling me that my receipt was correct. I didn’t leave until it was resolved correctly but unfortunately, that does take my time to do this and ends up leaving a bad taste for that location – especially when it is repeated by part time workers who are not trained correctly.
JJ says
This has happened multiple times at a Walgreen’s in Sauk City, WI. Often, it’s not until we get all the way home before we realize it’s incorrect. Not checking before I leave falls on me, however, I do not want to feel “on guard” when I go into their store. I want to relax and be shown the same respect they wish to have from customers. Especially annoying, is the Buy 2 for $5, say. I only need one. Instead of the price being $2.50, it’ll be much higher than half of $5. They also have tags that imply you will save a certain amount, but what you actually get is a coupon to use the next time you come in, and happen to need the same product before it expires. The saver cards that collect points towards dollars off are offered when you check out, that give you a discount price, but why in the heck do I need to agree to have you basically track everything I buy to receive a discount? It’s a silly hoop that really irritates me. Not that anyone cares how many boxes of Infinity Maxi Pads I buy, but still, I do not need or want my personal information associated with my purchases. It feels intrusive and sneaky.