Survey reveals that consumers of Campo Grande are harmed by price discrepancies between the shelf and the checkout prices

Inspection by the Consumer Protection Agency of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (PROCON/MS) has visited major supermarkets of Campo Grande and identified price discrepancies between the aisles and the checkout in all of them, i.e., consumers find prices displayed on the shelf or on the product itself; however, at checkout, the scanned prices are different.

The percentage of discrepancy verified may also be called supermarkets lack-of-control percentage, or further, percentage of distrust that consumers have in the supermarkets.

In fact, such discrepancies do not constitute bad faith for the discrepancies verified are either for higher or lower amounts. Therefore, if, in some cases, the supermarkets obtain illicit profit, in other cases, they suffer losses.

Approximately 100 products of each establishment have been analyzed. The greatest discrepancy of 31% was observed at Makro, with 22 products presenting lower prices and 32 products presenting higher prices. The least frequent lack-of-control of 6.45% occurred at Atacadão of Coronel Antonino, indicating 8 products with higher prices and 2 products with lower prices.

At other locations, the percentage of discrepancy has computed the following scenario: Wallmart: 28%; Maxxi: 18.52%; Carrefour: 13.96%; Extra of Maracajú: 13%; Comper of Ceará: 10.56%; and Fort Atacadista at Norte Sul: 9.5%.

Result

The survey has concluded that there are several faults in the price control systems adopted by supermarkets and that they must be resolved. In spite of, many times, causing losses to the establishments itself, the fact is that in most cases, losses are greater for consumers. With that in mind, clients must pay close attention and adopt the practice of checking prices to avoid suffering any harm.

According to the press agency of PROCON/MS, all case records filed will be converted into administrative proceedings, which will result in the imposition of fines to the supermarkets. By being punished, those establishments are expected to adopt urgent measures to avoid making their consumers vulnerable.

Consumers must pay careful attention to those cases and, if they identify those practices, they must immediately contact PROCON.

Text from article by Mariana Anunciação, published at Mediamaxnews, electronic newspaper of Mato Grosso do Sul.