Scanning Code Of Practice

[lummox]

I noticed last week at one SDM locations that the SCOP details were printed out and taped to the customer service counter and posted at all tils.

This is a very proactive move on the vendors part to communicate to shoppers and promote their committment to fair shopping/pricing.

[Angela273]

Typically I will receive the lower price, I have yet to receive the item for free. I bought fruit to go bars from Walmart a week ago, went to customer service counter bc I was charged a higher price than posted, I simply received the lower posted price. If the "Scanning Code of Practice" was followed, my item should have been free.

[zoro]

If they don't do it right people need to phone the 1-800 number and leave a complaint (but make an effort to understand what the code covers first - NON price ticketed!!)

Ranting here is fine...but will get you nothing

last year they reported every single complaint received to the 1-800 number was resolved...but they only received 700 complaints for all stores Canada wide since hardly anyone will bother.

If it gets to the poinr of making a complaint to the 1-800, most stores are going to go beyond the free/$10 off...

[monkeyincowtown]

I live in Calgary and the superstore I shop at follows this practice everytime! I've found that it is best not to say anything to the cashiers and just bring your receipt and the item that scanned over the advertised price, directly to customer service. Usually they do a quick price check and then give you your money back. I have not even had to bring up "the bar code practice". I just say that this particular item scanned higher than the advertised price and they give me the item for free or the $10 discount.

[monkeyincowtown]

Also Thank you ACL for posting this!
This thread should really have sticky on it because it is something that every consumer should know!

[Aliciax]

I got my first SCOP last week. Free $2 Plums..

[vsaint]

I was just at Shoppers, no scop.

i bought a SPC Card, paid $9.99 + tax, didn't notice, suppose to be $8.50.
so i went back, they refunded my money, but the claim to not know anything about scop.
i didn't believe the cashier.
the manager said we don't do that here, seemed more genuine.
guess i'll be calling to complain.

[yuki-bunnie]

The Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code

The Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code evolved from the collaborative efforts of the Retail Council of Canada, the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors. These associations are composed of national, regional and local retailers selling a wide assortment of general merchandise, as well as pharmaceutical and food products.


This Code, implemented in June 2002, applies to all scanned Universal Product Code (UPC), bar coded, and/or Price Look Up (PLU) merchandise sold in all participating stores, with the exception of goods such as prescription drugs which are not easily accessible to the public and price-ticketed items.


Purpose of the Code


The purpose of the Code is to:

• Visibly demonstrate retailer commitment to scanner price accuracy;
• Provide retailers with a consistent national framework for dealing with scanner price accuracy issues; and
• Provide the retail industry with a mechanism for consumer redress in scanner price accuracy cases, to be managed by a Scanner Price Accuracy Committee.

Here's how it works.

If the scanned price of a qualifying item at the checkout of a participating store is higher than the price displayed in the store - or advertised by the store - the lower price will be honoured. If the correct price of the product is $10 or less, the retailer will give the product to the customer for free. If the correct price of the product is higher than $10, the retailer will give the customer $10 off the corrected price. If multiple units of a given product are involved in a scanning error, the policy will be applied to the first unit only.

For more information on the Scanner Price Accuracy Code, visit the Retail Council of Canada Website.
You can read
Look for the Scanner Privacy Accuracy Code sticker at the checkout of these participating retailers.

CACDS Supporting Companies:
Shoppers Drug Mart
The Groupe Jean Coutu (NB and Ont only)
Lawton Drug Stores
London Drugs
Lovell Drugs
Pharma-save (BC and Sask)
Pharma Plus
CCGD Supporting Companies:
Canada Safeway Limited
The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company of Canada Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited
Sobeys Inc.
Metro Inc.
Thrifty Foods
Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
Co-op Atlantic
Federated Co-operatives Limited
RCC Supporting Companies:
Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
The Home Depot Canada
Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd.
Toys r Us
Rona
Wal*Mart Canada Corp.
Giant Tiger Stores Ltd.
The North West Company
Best Buy/Future Shop
2 Home Hardware franchisees
CFIG Supporting Companies:
Thrifty Foods
Overwaitea Food Group
The Harry Watson Group
Longos Brothers Fruit Markets
+ 1374 independent locations


source: http://www.consumerscouncil.com/index.cfm?pid=15488

should be added that in quebec, its law and not voluntary.

[Ricki911]

Thanks for the post. I went to WM the other day the toothpaste scanned at 1.30$ and the sign said 0.97 cents. I brought up SCOP and the cashier just starred at me like I was stealing something. They refused to give me scop but she brought it down which ended up being free anyways.

[kool_105]

should be added that in quebec, its law and not voluntary.

[yuki-bunnie]

this is great for anyone that want to get freebies....

[bibi]

thanks for the heads up.

[lisalovlee33]

It happen to me 3 times this year alone. In No Frills, I was buying ginger, and she wanted $2.XX. Well, I know ginger cost very little. I didn't even know I'd get it for free, but the cashier was nice and called the supervisor and told me to wait, it'll be worth it. Sure enough, they checked the price, and finally got the ginger for free. Another time, in Price Choppers. Cat food on shelf was 5.65 and she had 6.45 on the register. I told her, hey I'm getting it for free then. The cashier did not know what to do and instead called another cashier for advise. The other cashier, not much wiser, came up with a BS story that I will get it for free if I bought it, PAID FOR IT, and then discover it was cheaper later on, come back later on, and then will be refunded in full, thus making it free. I told her, well if that's the case, I can buy lots of stuff in your store, keep my receipt and then, when they go on sale, bring the receipt back to the store and get my stuff free! Wonderful. Then it took a sec for her mind to register and knowing what she told me was completely made up (I can tell when they're making up stories to get you out the door) and simply walked away without saying a thing. My cashier thought I made perfect sense and don't know what she did, gave it to me for free. I come to realize, a lot of times, I need to really just stand my ground (if I'm right of course), and things will happen.

Finally, just the other day at Loblaws, I was getting some sunflower seed, advertising for 2.99 and was changed 3.45. I took it to the service desk immediately and minutes later, FREE!!

I always make it a point to know how much the items are, or at least an approx value of the bill. Always pay attention to what is being rung in the register. Your grocery may be cheaper than you think!~

[DaveFromCanada]

huh...I always thought it was actually law that they had to honor the advertised price.

ive never had a problem with them honoring the right price but i have never seen or heard of anyone getting it for free ot 10$ off

but thanks for the info!

[Justine]

I can't be bothered to argue with cashiers and instead watch over like a hawk when they are scanning my things at grocery stores. If they argue it, I just let it go and avoid going to that store again if I can.