By John Walker
Special to Inside
The department of Consumer Services, after a year long investigation of 170 drug stores, found that 78 percent of the stores using Alternative Price System (APS) scanners overcharged customers. The stores were cited for overcharging.
Retail and food stores fared somewhat better, with 51 percent of the 328 stores inspected cited for overcharging.
The checkout counter overcharges involved advertised sale items or in-store specials, which often scanned at regular price at the checkout counter. The amount of individual overcharges ranged from $45 to one cent. However, most were between 50 cents and $2.
APS scanners electronically read brand and price information from product label codes, eliminating the need for price markings on individual items.
The largest overcharge occurred at K-mart, 3443 W. Addison St., which offered a twin size bed-in-bag for $29.99 which rang up for $74.99.
CVS, 208 W. Washington St., was the site of the second highest overcharge. The store offered the Tele-Zapper for $34.99 but the checkout price was $69.98.
Jewel, 3531 N. Broadway, advertised Kraft Sandwich spread for $1.99 but the checkout price was $3.98. Treasure Island, 2121 N. Clybourn Ave., advertised Crespi Sun-Dried Tomatoes Pumate for $8.98 but it rang up at $13.49.
A large number of overcharges were found at three drug store chains. Walgreens saw 84 of its stores cited for overcharges; Osco had 37 of its locations charged; and CVS, which recently began opening stores in Chicago, had 11 locations charged.
Among other major retailers, Dominick’s had 13 locations cited for overcharging; Jewel saw 12 locations charged; and Radio Shack had 23 locations cited.
A team of undercover investigators, posing as customers, visited retail stores. Each team took 50 items through the check out. If two or more items scanned higher than the advertised price the store failed inspection and was cited. These procedures mirror Federal Government Guidelines used for APS inspections and certification.
While instances of undercharges were found, the frequency and amount of undercharging by retailers are less than those of over charging.
Many of the stores also were charged with other APS violations including allegedly failing to have shelf tags in place, failing to include specific product and price information on shelf tags, and failing to include sale expiration dates on advertisements.
Customers are advised to be watchful when at the checkout counter. Immediately bring any pricing errors to the attention of the store manager, and contact the Department of Consumer Services at (312) 744-9400.
Among grocery and retail stores cited with overcharge violations were the following North Side businesses:
Ace Hardware 2825 W. Belmont Ave. and 3011 N Clark St.
Aldi’s 1767 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Auto Zone 4726 N. Western Ave.
Binny’s Beverage Depot 213 W. Grand Ave.
Bockwinkel’s 700 N. Michigan Ave.
Broadway Supermarket 4879 N. Broadway
Circuit City 2500 N. Elston Ave.
Danny’s Fresh Market 2140 N Western Ave.
Dominick’s Finer Foods 1 N. Halsted St., 3012 N. Broadway, 3350 N. Western Ave, and 6009 N. Broadway
Jewel Foods 1210 N. Clark St., 2940 N. Ashland Ave., 3531 N. Broadway, 3630 N. Southport Ave., and 4250 N. Lincoln Ave.
K-Mart 1360 N. Ashland Ave.
Menards 2601 N. Clybourn Ave.
Mini Mart Express 1031 W. Monroe St.
Murray’s Discount Auto Stores 2500 W. North Ave.
Office Depot 352 W. Grand Ave., 2928 N. Ashland Ave., and 6165 N. Lincoln Ave.
Pep Boys 2604 N. Elston Ave.
Petco Animal Supplies 2000 N. Clybourn Ave. and 3046 N. Halsted St.
Petsmart 2665 N. Elston Ave.
Radio Shack 310 N. Michigan Ave., 316 N. Milwaukee Ave., 1273 N. Milwaukee Ave., 1965 W. Lawrence Ave., 2923 N. Ashland Ave., 3168 N. Broadway, 3336 N. Western Ave., and 5409 N. Broadway
Speedway 3354 N. Damen Ave.
Spirits and Brew 2156 W. Belmont Ave.
Toys R’ Us 3300 N. Western Ave.
Treasure Island 75 W. Elm St., 680 N. Lakeshore Dr., 1639 N. Wells St., 2121 N. Clybourn Ave., and 3460 N. Broadway
Ulta 1000 W. North Ave. and 3015 N. Clark St.
Whole Foods 3300 N. Ashland Ave.
CVS Pharmacy 121 W. Kinzie Ave., 175 W. Jackson St., 208 W. Washington St., 401 W. Armitage Ave., 1714 N. Sheffield Ave., 2815 N. Western Ave., 3944 N. Western Ave.
Osco Drugs 111 W. Jackson St., 400 W. Madison St., 771 N. Ogden Ave., 1165 N. Clark St., 1341 N. Paulina St., 2940 N. Ashland Ave., 3531 N. Broadway, 3940 W. Fullerton Ave., 4051 N. Lincoln Ave., 4355 N. Sheridan Rd., 5158 N. Lincoln Ave., 5345 N. Broadway, and 5532 N. Clark St.
Walgreens 79 W. Monroe St., 151 N. State St., 200 W. Adams St., 201 W. Madison St., 240 W. Randolph St., 641 N. Clark St., 740 W. Diversey Ave., 1200 N. Dearborn St., 1500 W. Wilson Ave., 1520 W. Fullerton Ave., 1601 N. Wells St., 1649 W. Belmont Ave., 1650 W. Chicago Ave., 2801 N. Broadway, 3046 N. Halsted St., 3201 N. Broadway, 3358 N. Western Ave., 3646 N. Broadway, 4720 N. Marine Dr., and 4801 N. Lincoln Ave. |
