Michigan Scanner Law (Consumer Pricing Act)

Image from Michigan.gov

CHECK OUT THE UPDATES TO THIS LAW!!
Michigan Consumer Pricing Act (Now know as SHOPPING REFORM AND MODERNIZATION ACT)

I've been meaning to write about this for forever.

I actually got to claim a "bounty" today when I purchased a 5# roll of hamburger at Walmart. (Really, there was not "claim", Walmart gave it automatically. I love that they have trained their service desk cashiers so well on this!)

I'm going to touch on the main points, you can check out the full Michigan Scanner Law FAQ's on the Michigan.gov Website. They were just updated in December 2010 and clear up some previous grey areas for me!

Here's what must happen to claim the bounty:

• Price must be attached to the product
• Automatic Scanner must register a price higher than the attached price (bounties do not have to be paid on sale prices if it scans at regular price)
• Transaction must be completed (cashed out)
• Price difference must be brought to the attention of the store within 30 days
• You must have the receipt showing the overcharge

Here's what you are entitled to:

• The difference between what was charged and what the product was marked
• PLUS 10 times the difference with the minimum bounty of $1.00 and maximum of $5.00 (It's not in the FAQ's, but I've read in the past that no bounty is due if the over charge is under $.10) - Any overcharge more than $.50 only has to pay the difference + $5.00
• IF the retailer refuses to pay, you have the right to file a lawsuit and collect $250 or actual damages (whichever is more) plus some additional legal fees
• Refund in cash (maybe return credit to card used, that's not outlined), they may NOT (according to the FAQ's) force you to take store credit

Some other things to know:

• Identical items that are overcharged DO NOT qualify for additional bounty. You are entitled to the refund of difference on each one you bought
• Multiple scanning errors on NONidentical items in the same transaction DO qualify for separate bounties
• Stores have up to two business days to provide your refund
• Stores can not require you to provide identifying information as a requirement for obtaining the bounty

There are some exclusions to items that have to be marked. The Michigan Scanner Law FAQ's on the Michigan.gov Website do a good job of laying a lot of this out. I've not had an issue with any stores in the last couple years over scanner law. Many stores know they must do this and do it automatically (in my experience). If they don't do it automatically, I've simply mentioned the scanner law and they processed it.

Hope this helps!