Dollar General Settles Overcharging Claims

A settlement has been reached between Dollar General Corporation and the state of Pennsylvania, resolving allegations of overcharging customers. The investigation, led by Attorney General Dave Sunday, found that Dollar General stores in Pennsylvania frequently charged higher prices at checkout than those advertised on shelves.

The settlement requires Dollar General to pay $1.55 million in penalties and costs to the Commonwealth. Additionally, the corporation has agreed to implement new business practices to prevent future pricing errors. These measures include employee training on price accuracy, sufficient staffing to update shelf tags, and regular pricing audits.

The investigation revealed that Dollar General stores in Pennsylvania failed to meet pricing accuracy standards in over 40% of inspections between 2019 and 2023. This led to widespread overcharging of customers, which is a clear violation of the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.

Under the terms of the settlement, Dollar General will take steps to ensure price accuracy, including honoring the lowest advertised price and providing price adjustments for overcharges. The company will also post notices at each register informing customers of their right to seek a price override if necessary.

Consumers who believe they have been overcharged by a retailer are encouraged to file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection. This can be done online, by phone at 717-787-3391, or by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov.

The settlement is a significant step towards protecting consumers from unfair pricing practices. It serves as a reminder to retailers of the importance of transparency and accuracy in their pricing.