The Michigan Item Pricing Bill of Rights

The Michigan Item Pricing Bill of Rights protects consumers by requiring that items be priced and that the consumer be charged the price marked. This very basic law helps protects consumers from dishonest or carless retailers who may not charge the correct price for every item in the store.

The Michigan Item Pricing Bill of Rights requires that almost all items on store shelves be clearly and individually marked with a price tag. Stores may chose to exempt a few items from pricing and a list is usually available at the customer service counter in the store of items the store does not mark. Items like individual candy and gum, baby food jars and other small high volume items may be excluded from pricing under the Michigan Item Pricing Bill of Rights.

The Michigan Item Pricing Bill of Rights relies on the consumer to catch retailers who fail to abide by this law and who make mistakes in pricing their merchandise. If you find that an item rings up at a higher price than the price tag on the item, it is up to you to point it out to the retailer, receive a refund and receive compensation for the mistake

Under the Michigan Item Pricing Bill of Rights if an item scans for more than the marked price you should take the receipt and the item to customer service. If you are still in the store when you notice the price discrepancy it is best to take care of it immediately however, you have up to 30 days to notify the store of the error and provide you receipt and item as proof.

The seller is required by the Michigan Item Pricing Bill of Rights to refund you the amount you were overcharged plus a bonus of 10 times the difference with a minimum of $1 and a maximum of $5. If the seller refuses to give you the bonus, you may bring a lawsuit to recover the amount you were overcharged, or $250 whichever is greater plus reasonable attorney fees up to $300. Generally, you should not encounter difficulty in receiving a refund and the bonus at customer service. No retailer wants a lawsuit, however small.

For example let's say you purchase a can of corn marked 50¢ and it rings up at 79¢. You are entitled by the Michigan Item Pricing Bill of Rights to a refund of 29¢ plus a bonus of $2.90 which is 10 times the amount of the over charge. It is not uncommon for retailers to "forget" this bonus so you may have to ask for it.

If you have been over charged for several identical items, the Michigan Item Pricing Bill of Rights entitles you to a refund of the price difference on all items but a bonus of 10 times the overcharge only once. The Michigan Item Pricing Bill of Rights does not apply to items that ring up at less than the marked price.

You might think that the Michigan Item Pricing Bill of Rights would keep retailers in line and result in very accurate pricing on most items, however that is not the case. Human error is always a factor and you will often find items marked at a lower price that scans at a higher price. You vigilance can protect you from overpaying and help others who shop after you. Unfortunately, not all retailers go to the shelves and correct the price error.

To obtain a dollar bill sized copy of the Michigan Item Pricing Bill of Rights to keep in your wallet or purse write to or call the Consumer Protection Division P.O. Box 30213 Lansing, MI 48909 517-373-1140 Toll free: 877-765-8388.