Walmart and Target, have been caught in a lawsuit for overcharging customers.
With inflation driving up food prices and people paying closer attention to their receipts, two of the largest US retailers, Walmart and Target, have been caught in a lawsuit for overcharging customers. The class action suits allege that the companies have "shelf pricing" that frequently misrepresents the prices that customers pay at the point of sale.
Class Action Lawsuits:
In August 2022, two separate class action lawsuits were filed against Walmart and Target by Yoram Kahn. Kahn claims that the companies are violating the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act and the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act by false advertising.
According to Kahn, many customers rely on the "shelf pricing" to make informed purchasing decisions, but Walmart customers allegedly pay 5 to 10 percent more due to price misrepresentations, while Target shoppers pay 5 to 20 percent more.
Ongoing Investigation:
Legal entities are investigating the claims, and customers are invited to share their experiences. The investigation page states that many customers may not notice the difference or not take the time to protest the issue, but the difference can add up over time for frequent Walmart and Target shoppers. If you've been charged more at the register, you're encouraged to join the investigation and fill out a form online.
Fined in North Carolina:
Both companies have already been fined by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) for price scanner errors, leading to overcharging customers. Six Walmart stores and three Target stores were fined, with Walmart paying a total of $22,830 and Target paying $13,810. Dollar General and Family Dollar were the biggest offenders, with Dollar General paying $136,795 and Family Dollar paying $155,000.
Separate Lawsuit for Dollar General:
While Walmart and Target are facing individual lawsuits, Dollar General is dealing with a statewide lawsuit filed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Yost claims that customers are being charged too much at the register. Dollar General stores were temporarily closed for a day to re-tag their shelf prices, but the state is continuing its efforts, having also filed a lawsuit against Family Dollar.
Conclusion:
Walmart and Target are facing allegations of overcharging customers, violating consumer protection laws, and false advertising. The ongoing investigation is inviting customers to share their experiences, and those who have been charged more are encouraged to join the investigation. Both companies have already been fined in North Carolina for price scanner errors. Dollar General is facing a separate statewide lawsuit for overcharging customers at the register.
What Are Your Thoughts?
Have you noticed any discrepancies in prices at Walmart and Target? Have you joined the ongoing investigation into Walmart and Target's overcharging practices? Have you been overcharged at any dollar store chain, such as Dollar General or Family Dollar?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
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