by Lisa Web

Created on: December 06, 2009

Catch supermarket mistakes and lower your grocery bills. Seems simple. The truth is there are many errors in prices on things at the grocery and at other stores. It does pay attention to the prices as the cashier is scanning in your items. Here are a few tips to help you be sure that your bill is correct, and that you reap the benefits of the sales the grocery store offers.

1. Know your grocery list. Know the prices of each item. It is easy to do, if you mark your grocery list with the prices you were expecting to pay. As your items are scanned, compare the scanned price to your list.

2. Have the ad with you, if at all possible, for sale prices. Computers are programmed by humans, and therefore there is the chance for human error involved. Watch the prices, and if you find a discrepancy, you have the ad right there to show the checker.

3. Mention any price differences as you notice them. It may seem like you are holding up the cashier, however it is easier for them to adjust the price on the item they just scanned, rather than having to go back through your entire order to find the incorrectly priced item.

4. Know your store clubs. Many stores offer special prices with membership cards, and these prices will not be shown, until your card is scanned. For ease, it may be best to have them scan your card before any groceries, so you can be sure that you are getting all your planned savings.

5. Know if your store offers an "incentive" for finding items that scan wrong. Many stores will adjust the price and offer you another 10% of the difference, some offer up to $3.00 or more for each item that scans incorrectly. Yes it is great to catch something that is scanning wrong, but it is nice to know if they offer something more for your attention to detail.

Be patient, polite, and explain the situation. "Item A rang in at $3.00 however your ad shows it at $2.50" and produce the ad to show this price. Be sure that you have the exact item listed.

Often grocery stores offer sales prices on items that come in many different sizes. For example Item A in 10 ounce size is on sale for $2.50, however item A in 15 ounce size is not on sale. Your store may have these items close together, they may be stocked in the wrong place, and some stores even put similar items to those on sale on the endcap, which you will grab rather than going down the isle to find the correct item. Be sure that you do your part and have what is actually on sale.

Finding items that scan incorrectly can be something that may happen each and every trip to the store, or it may never happen to you. But paying attention while your items are scanned is the best policy.

If you get home with your items and notice a price difference, most stores will allow you to bring in your purchase and have the price adjusted. I suggest calling in advance, and taking the ad, the item, and the receipt with you. It may seem silly to make an extra trip to the store for a few cents off, but many people let this happen daily. The grocery store makes money off of people not taking the time to be sure of their prices. Take the time to make the trip.

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