Want to find out more about the Smart & Final Price Guarantee? Well, you’re in the right place.
Consumers looking to squeeze a fresh melon or two need to look no further than Smart & Final. This California-based food chain promises to bring the best of warehouse-store savings and small grocery market service to their shopping locations. Business is good with 250 grocery and foodservice stores operating across California, Nevada, and Arizona. A big part of that success comes from a solid commitment to customer satisfaction, and the Smart & Final Price Accuracy Guarantee is part of that equation.
The Short & Sweet on California Law
In the Land of Milk and Honey, a piece of legislation deals specifically with these kinds of price tag problems – the California Business & Professions Code Section 12024.2 BPC: Inaccurate Pricing. A business owner who knowingly engages in deceptive or inexact pricing practices is committing a criminal offense that may lead to a misdemeanor filing.
When more than one price is posted, advertised, displayed or quoted for the same item, the business or person must offer the customer the product at a lower price. However, this regulation has certain limitations: prices tied to a minimum purchase amount, multiple purchases of the same item, or membership to a store-backed club or program. Customers are always encouraged to do their research before engaging with a merchant regarding these regulations.
Smart & Final Price Accuracy Guarantee
Like many effective retail-focused businesses, Smart & Final understands it’s the details that make or break a customer’s experience. As the grocery chain is headquartered in California, it’s logical their policy is grounded in this state’s legislation. Consequently, there is the obligatory promise never to charge the customer more than the shelf or published price.
However, Smart & Final takes it one step further and guarantees that if the customer is charged a higher price at the register, they will offer that item for free. The store does limit this to one of each item, with liquor and dairy products excluded from this policy. To be clear, that means you receive one free item AND take advantage of the lower published or posted price on any additional items you bought. Likewise, you won’t get a free article on inaccurately priced liquor and dairy BUT will benefit from the lower shelf or advertised price.
Hone Your Shopping Skills
Price accuracy policies only work when customers notice a difference between the expected and actual item costs. Pay attention to the cash register display when your products are scanned through and ask when something surprising pops up. If you don’t notice anything awry at the cashier, try to double-check the receipt before leaving the store. You can roll your cart over to customer service and get some of that hard-earned cash back if there is a mistake. Perhaps most importantly is knowing the price accuracy policy is for the grocery store you’re visiting and the legislation for the state. Happy shopping!
Read More:
5 Downsides of Price Match Guarantees
Sticking to the Grocery List to Save Your Budget
What is the Average Grocery Bill?
Lindsey is a freelance writer in the personal finance and lifestyle sphere. When she’s not at her laptop, she is likely teaching herself a new hobby with a high potential for injury – such as skiing or cooking. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.
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