Check the Price! You may get more than you bargained for!

November 28, 2005 — Attention holiday shoppers. Pay close attention when your purchases are being scanned at the check-out. If the scanned item is higher than the shelf price, you can get it for free, up to a $10 maximum.  This is one of the key features of the Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code, which is endorsed by the Competition Bureau. Over 5,000 retailers across Canada are Voluntary Code participants.

The Code applies to participating retailers across Canada, except in Quebec, where a similar policy exists under the Consumer Protection Act and is enforced by the Office de la protection du consommateur. 

The Code evolved from the collaborative efforts of the Competition Bureau and the Scanner Code Committee, which is comprised 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. It was implemented in 2002, and applies to all scanned Universal Product Code (UPC) and Price Look Up (PLU) merchandise sold in participating stores -- with the exception of price-ticketed items and goods such as prescription drugs, which are not easily accessible to the public.

Did you know that...

• you can receive immediate refunds on incorrectly priced items from cashiers?
• all participating stores are required to display signs at cash registers and at entrances?
• if you are not satisfied, you may register a complaint with the Scanner Price Accuracy Committee by calling 1-866-499-4599?

The Competition Bureau as well as the Consumers Council of Canada works with the Committee to ensure that consumers benefit from and are knowledgeable about the Code. Scanner price accuracy is an important criterion for maintaining consumer confidence.

For more information about the Code or to obtain a copy, visit any of the following Web sites:
Competition Bureau www.competitionbureau.gc.ca
Ret ail Council of Canada www.retailcouncil.org
Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores www.cacds.com
Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers www.cfig.ca
Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors www.ccgd.ca
Consumers Council of Canada www.consumerscouncil.com

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency. We contribute to the prosperity of Canadians by protecting and promoting competitive markets and enabling informed consumer choice.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Maureen McGrath
Communications Advisor
Competition Bureau
819-953-8982, or 613-296-2187 (cell)

For general enquiries, please contact:
Information Centre
Competition Bureau
1-800-348-5358