Is it free if it scans wrong?

Grocery shoppers may be able to get some items for free – if they happen to be scanned incorrectly at checkout.

The Scanner Price Accuracy Code was introduced in 2002 with guidance from the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), when stores started to use bar codes and scanners, and consumers voiced concerns some items could be priced incorrectly.

The code was brought in to protect shoppers should mistakes arise, after the vast majority of stores stopped pricing individual items and instead used shelf pricing and bar codes to indicate how much something cost.

The code is voluntary but it’s followed by most major retailers in Canada, including grocery stores and pharmacies.

According to the code, if a product is less than $10 and it’s scanned incorrectly, you get it for free. If a product more than $10 is scanned incorrectly, you could get $10 off the price of the product.

"This way it's all about protecting the customers if there is a mistake and the customer is owed money," Sylvain Charlebois, food researcher and professor at Dalhousie University, told CTV News Toronto.

The code only applies to non-priced, ticketed items and there may be other restrictions. But, if you're buying something and the price doesn't match, you should ask the retailer if you're eligible for a discount.

"We believe in the code. It's a voluntary code because we want people to know we are committed to fair and accurate pricing" said Gary Sands, Senior Vice-President with the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers.

According to Dalhousie University, it's estimated between nine and 11 per cent of people who do grocery shopping have at least one mistake on their grocery bill, so it's definitely worth checking.

"If you're not careful, if you’re not checking, you're probably going to pay more for your groceries than you should," said Charlebois.

CTV News spoke with shoppers outside a Scarborough grocery store, and asked whether they have heard about this policy or not.

“I had no idea,” one shopper said, while another added, “I didn’t know that.”

After hearing about the policy, they said said now that they know about the code they will be watching their grocery bill much closer.

"Consumers should know about this especially with the price of food and prices increasing right now," said one shopper.

For more information or questions about the Scanner Price Accuracy Code, you can call 1-866-499-4599 or visit the RCC website.

The "Get One Free" Law

In Connecticut, if certain items scan higher at checkout than the sticker price on the item or the price posted on the shelf, the consumer is entitled to that item free (up to $20). The “Get One Free” law protects consumers from being charged more than the posted price. It is officially known as the “Consumer Commodities Law”. (See also

In Connecticut, if certain items scan higher at checkout than the sticker price on the item or the price posted on the shelf, the consumer is entitled to that item free (up to $20). The “Get One Free” law protects consumers from being charged more than the posted price. It is officially known as the “Consumer Commodities Law”. (See also Item Pricing

This law is based on either the price on the shelf or the price on the item itself.  It can also be a special sale price. A customer is not entitled to get an item for free if an expired sale sticker is still posted, provided the sticker clearly states the dates of the sale; however, once notified, the business should make an effort to correct the pricing.

In order to get the “Get One Free”, the consumer has to point out the error at checkout and ask for the free item. Sometimes cashiers are unfamiliar with this law and, if you need to, you should ask to speak with the manager.

However, if the product scans lower than the posted price, the consumer doesn’t get the item free, but is allowed to buy one of that item at the lower, scanned price.

This law applies only to “consumer commodities” -- things that get “used up” or depleted over time and must be regularly replaced.

Examples of Consumer Commodities:

• Grocery items (e.g. milk, loaf of bread, produce)
• Box of band-aids
• Cosmetics
• Toiletries
• Disposable kitchen items (e.g. tinfoil, storage bags)
• Paper goods (e.g. toilet paper, tissues)

Examples that are NOT commodities:

• Clothing
• Greeting cards
• Mops
• Sponges
• Toothbrushes

Some Examples:

• The sticker on the shelf says the ACME Toothpaste is $3.99.

   

  The consumer picks up three of the ACME toothpastes.

   

  At the cash register, the three toothpastes all scan at $5.99.

   

  The consumer should receive one for free and the other two at $3.99.
• Same toothpaste as above.

   

  For whatever reason, one toothpaste scans at $5.99 and the other two scan correctly at $3.99.

   

  The consumer should still get the first toothpaste for free.

   

• The store is selling a bulk pack of toilet paper for $25.00. The consumer wants to buy two packs.

   

  At the register, the pack scans at $28.00

   

  The consumer must pay $5.00 for the first pack of toilet paper (only the first $20.00 of an item is free) and $25 for the second pack of toilet paper (only one item is free; additional items are sold at the sticker price).
• A gallon of milk is normally priced $4.00.

   

  The store displays a sign stating that for the first five days of the month, the milk is $2.50. The dates of the sale are clear, and the consumer can see the sale is only for five days.

   

  On the second day of the month, the milk rings up at $4.00.

   

  The consumer should get the milk for free.

   

  The store accidentally leaves the sign up past the end of the sale.

   

  On the seventh day of the month, the milk rings up at $4.00.

   

  The consumer should not get the milk for free, though the business may choose to honor the sale price.
• Soup is on sale and marked “3 for $6.00. Must buy 3.”

   

  Normal price is $2.50 per can.

   

  The consumer buys two cans and they ring up at $2.50 each.

   

  The consumer is not entitled to a can for free.

   

  The sale price only applies when the consumer buys three cans as is clearly stated.

   

  The consumer must follow the guidelines of the sale.

   

   See our Fact Sheet:

See our Fact Sheet: Price Scanning and the "Get One Free" Law