I found your site after doing a search on “Michigan Scanner Law” because of the following run-in at Meijer.
I was purchasing some Twizzler’s licorice. I noticed that about half of the bags were marked $1.46, the other half $1.66, the sign in front of the bags said $1.66. So I purchased one of each type, all different scan codes.
When I checked out, they each scanned at $1.66. So I went to the customer service desk to get the difference, plus the bounty, on each one (since they were different scan codes). The clerk very rudely told me that if they are “like” items, they will give me the difference for each, but the bounty on only one.
I informed her that I believed this to be incorrect. She called the manager and spoke to her via telephone. She also called someone on the phone and had them check the shelf. She again very rudely told me the same thing and that there was only one bag on the shelf marked at $1.46.
I very politely explained that there were lots of them mis-marked. I asked to speak directly to the manager and asked her to bring her copy of the law with her.
When the manager arrived, she told me that she had looked the law up on the web, and that she had no time to print it. I stayed very polite during this entire situation. I said ok, I’ll take the difference on the one….do you have a business card. She said no. I asked her to write her name down. She said maybe she could find a card for the head store manager. Then she looked and my receipt and re-iterated that there was only one other bag on the shelf marked at $1.46.
I told her that was incorrect and offered to go to the shelf with her and show her. She finally turned to the clerk and said, “Oh, just give it to her!”
So they gave it to me.
I contacted the State Attorney General’s office Consumer Relations and they confirmed that I was correct. I was told that in a situation with very similar items, I would only be entitled to one bounty. The example I was given was towels of same brand, style and size, but different colors. I was entitled on each one because they were different types (some were stick, some little chunks, etc.)
I think what made me the most upset about this particular incident is how rude they were. Even if I had been wrong I am still a customer and deserve courtesy and respect.
Anyway, I also hate being cheated by stores. I have the same problems at Wal-Mart and Kroger. Our Wal-mart won’t give the scanner law bounty unless you specifically ask for it. (I will say my Meijer usually gives it to me without my having to ask for it).
Love your site, I will write you some more stories another time.
Feel free to post this story, in whole or in part.
AET
Dear AET,
Thank you for your kind words. I’m so happy that you like the site.
I am very happy to hear how well you handled the entire situation at Meijer. Calling the AG was icing on the cake.
Isn’t it amazing how upset store clerks and managers get when you catch them screwing up? You would think it was money out of their own pockets they were giving you.
I’ve encountered my fair share of rude store clerks and find it more than a little annoying. If I’m at the checkout and encounter a rude clerk, I normally just leave my items with the cashier and walk directly to customer service to explain exactly why I’m leaving. Then I walk out.
Maybe someday they will get a clue.
Thanks for sharing your empowering story. Congratulations on handling this situation perfectly. You are my hero!
Thanks, I tell everyone I know about the scanner law. It is amazing how many people don’t know about it.
My friends call me “the scanner queen”
Have a good day.
AET
You are NOT going to believe this! A friend of mine suggested I stop back at Meijer today to see if they fixed the prices. They had not fixed them!
AET