FAQs • How do I know that my supermarket is not charging me

How do I know that my supermarket is not charging me for the packaging material on prepackaged items like meats, produce or deli items?: Use the customer scale to check the weight. Any store that sells random weight items prepackaged in the store must maintain a customer check scale within 30 feet of the merchandise display. The store must post a sign identifying the customer scale and may not use the scale for any other purpose.

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Weights & Measures

1. How do I know the measuring devices such as scales, gas pumps, and heating oil meters are accurate?: Look for these seals.

Inspectors from the Weights and Measures Division of the Office of Consumer Affairs inspect and test all weighing and measuring devices in commercial use to assure their accuracy. All devices passing inspections will have a weights and measures affixed seal. If you don’t see the seal, contact our office.

2. If the shelf price for an item in a store is different than the price scanned at the cash register. What should I pay?: Nassau County Local Law requires the store to charge the lowest price displayed, whether it is the shelf price or the price in an advertisement or the scanned price.

3. How do I know that my supermarket is not charging me for the packaging material on prepackaged items like meats, produce or deli items?: Use the customer scale to check the weight. Any store that sells random weight items prepackaged in the store must maintain a customer check scale within 30 feet of the merchandise display. The store must post a sign identifying the customer scale and may not use the scale for any other purpose.

4. When I order items like deli cold cuts or bakery cookies, how can I tell if the store is deducting for the weight of the packaging?: The scale used must be in a location visible to you. Watch the scale; it will either show a minus sign on its display or a light will go on to indicate that the tare is being taken.

5. Will premium gasoline make my car run better or last longer?: There is no measurable benefit in using a higher octane gasoline than your car requires. Check your owner’s manual and purchase the grade specified.

6. How can I make sure I’m getting what I pay for when I’m buying gasoline?: At a self service station, make sure the pump starts at zero and the price being charged agrees with the price advertised on the signs in the station. A good way to check this is to stop the pump at one gallon and compare the prices.
At full service stations, be sure to check all of the above and also make sure you are getting the grade of gasoline you asked for; if you asked for regular, make sure they’re not giving you premium at a higher price. When the sale is done, make sure the amount you pay the attendant agrees with the amount shown on the pump.