Merchants have 2 ways to go about pricing: tag each item individually or show an item’s price in proximity of it (eg.: on a shelf). In the latter case, merchants must abide by the Price Accuracy Policy.
Prices shown in proximity of the product
The Price Accuracy Policy allows customers to be compensated in case of a pricing error at the register. If the price of the item you are buying is higher at the register than what was advertised, the merchant must:
- give you the item for free if the item costs less than $15;
- sell you the item at the advertised price, minus $15, if the item costs more than $15.
Prices shown on individual items
If the merchant decides to individually tag each item, they don’t have to abide by the Price Accuracy Policy. However, they must sell items at the advertised price, never at a higher price. For example, a sporting item tagged at $30 must be sold at that price, even if the register shows $40.
What if a single item shows two different prices? The lower price prevails.
Always check the receipt before leaving the store
To avoid having to go back to the store to recover a few dollars, make sure you always check the receipt before leaving the store. However, if you only notice an error when you’re back home, you can go back to the store. It’s never too late to assert your rights.
The Price and Discounts section provides all the information about the pricing of items, the display of prices, and the Price Accuracy Policy.
Last update : May 20, 2025
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The information contained on this page is presented in simple terms to make it easier to understand. It does not replace the texts of the laws and regulations.
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