Consumer Information
Weights & Measures Quick Links
“Trust, but verify” should be the motto of every consumer. Most businesses are honest, but even honest people make mistakes. Neglect, indifference, and fraud are all present in the marketplace too. Alert consumers are the best defense against inaccurate transactions. The following list serves as a short guide to verify that some common transactions conclude equitably.
Scales
Look at check stand scales to see that they are zeroed. The readout must be visible to the customer. If it is not, point it out to the checker. A scale set ahead of zero shortchanges every customer.
Many scales are built into the checkstand and get a lot of use. Look at the edge of the scale; be sure it is not rubbing against the checkstand.
Watch as items are weighed. A deduction must be taken for the packaging. Some scales deduct this tare automatically. On some store packed meat and deli items the amount of weight deducted for the packaging is shown on the label as “Tare: ___lbs”.
Price Verification – Retail
Bring sale advertisements with you when shopping. When selecting items from the store display, make a note of the price and verify that it is the same when the item is scanned. The correct price is the lowest price advertised or posted. Some stores have scanners for customer price verification located on the sales floor, use them. Department stores often give additional markdowns at the register. Be sure to point out sale items to the clerk. Be aware of the expiration dates for sales.
Many stores display the price per unit on the shelf tag. Compare them when choosing between sizes and brands. A quart of mayonnaise for $2.29 ($.07 per ounce) buys more than paying $1.59 for a pint of the same brand ($.09 per ounce). Do the same thing when stores offer 2 for the price of 1 sales; a single larger size may be more economical.
Price Verification – Gasoline and other fuels
When buying any fuel, look at the register on the fuel pump. It should start on zero. If it advances before the dispenser is activated, there could be an internal leak. When purchasing gasoline, look at the grade selector each time; 87, 89, and 91 octane may appear in any order. Check your receipt, it should accurately document the transaction; Brand, grade, pump number, price per gallon, gallons dispensed, total cost, date and time. Modern vapor recovery systems are much improved over previous models and they rarely cause fuel recycling.
Packaging
You don’t always get what you pay for. California was over-ruled by federal courts supporting USDA and FDA regulations allowing moisture loss for a wide variety of commodities. The amount that commodities can be less than their labeled contents range from 1% to 3%. Our inspectors still test all commodities and consider reasonable moisture loss for USDA and FDA regulated products.
Sub-metering and Utility billing
The Public Utilities Commission ( www.cpuc.ca.gov ) sets utility rates. There are different rates for different circumstances such as all electric heating, doctors’ prescribed health maintenance requirement, low income, and time-of-use meters. Bills should indicate the correct rate code, the zone code, the number of days in the billing cycle, beginning and ending meter readings and reading dates, the baseline and over-baseline amounts, the charges of each, any adjustments for rebates or surcharges, and the total billing charge. Tehama County Weights & Measures will only seal electric, gas, and water utility meters where PG & E or other utility does not provide direct service.
Quality Control
Gasoline formulas change during the year to comply with clean air requirements. We constantly monitor fuel quality, but there have been cases of adulterated products. If your car runs worse after fueling, notify us at once. We can detect water contamination immediately, and if the product is contaminated we will close the pump down. For other quality problems, we will have a sample analyzed by the state petroleum laboratory. Buy fuel from a station that appears to maintain their equipment. Buy when your tank is 1/3 full, keep your vehicle tuned, and change air and fuel filters annually.
Weights & Measures is only one agency that investigates consumer complaints. Check other listings for agencies dealing with specific issues.