Do you want to know more about the rules for prices indicated in a store? The following tips may be of interest to you.

A merchant must indicate the price on all the products or on the packaging of all the products sold in his establishment.

Price error at the cash register

Is the cashier asking you to pay a price that is higher than the one displayed on the product? The cashier must sell the product to you at the price that is indicated on the product, never at a higher price.

Exceptions: individual labelling not required

Some goods are exempted from the individual labelling rule, for example:

  • items that cost less than $0.60;
  • food not packaged before sale;
  • trees, plants and flowers.

The merchant must indicate the price of these goods in close proximity. The page dealing with Labelling and price indication rules provides the full list of these exceptions.

Exemption from the individual labelling rule

If the merchant chooses to opt out from the obligation to label each product, he must display the price of the items on a label that is posted on the shelf.

The merchant must also use an optical scanner and respect the Price accuracy policy. This policy provides for compensation should the price at the cash register be higher than the one indicated on the shelf.

Merchants who opt out from the individual labelling rule must indicate the price of the items on the shelves and use an optical scanner. They are required to apply the Price accuracy policy.

Compensation in the event of a price error

This policy provides for compensation if the price shown at the cash register is higher than the one in the store. The merchant must:

  • give you the good for free if the item costs $10 or less;
  • sell you the good at the price displayed on the shelf and give you a $10 discount if the product costs more than $10.

Take the time to check your sales slip before leaving the store. If you notice an error, you can ask to have the policy enforced then and there.

What if you notice the error afterwards? You can return to the merchant’s establishment and ask for compensation as provided under the policy.

The page on Establishments where prices are displayed on the shelves will provide you with more information.

Price errors on discounted goods are very common. Take the time to check the price at the cash register or on your sales slip.

What if the price at the cash register is higher than the product’s price tag or the price posted on the shelf? If you are in a store that enforces the Price accuracy policy, the merchant must compensate you under the terms of this policy. If the policy is not enforced, the merchant must sell you the item at the price displayed on the label or at the lowest price.

The following pages offer more information about:

Last update : February 28, 2023

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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.