Posted on 03/27/2025 7:27:06 PM PDT by simpson96
A Publix shopper has filed a lawsuit accusing the supermarket of using a deceptive pricing tactic to overcharge customers.
Florida resident Wendy Koutouzis alleges that the chain’s self-checkout scales inflate the weight of meats and cheese, causing shoppers to pay more than the advertised price without realizing it.(snip)
Her lawsuit, filed in a Miami federal court, seeks compensation not only for herself but also for any other customers who may have been unknowingly overcharged.
The class-action case could impact shoppers across Florida and other states where Publix operates(snip)
Koutouzis claims she was repeatedly overcharged at five Publix locations in Tampa, Florida.
The lawsuit focuses on the supermarket’s weekly discounts on meats, produce, and cheese sold by weight.(snip)
The lawsuit says: 'Instead of charging the reduced sale price multiplied by the weight of the product, Publix's point of sale (POS) checkout system automatically increases the weight of the product, so that the consumer does not receive the sale price.'
One of the examples cited in the lawsuit involves an Extra Lean Pork Tenderloin, advertised at $4.99 per pound as part of a sale.
The package Koutouzis selected weighed 2.83 pounds, meaning the total cost should have been $14.12.
However, when she checked out, she was charged for 3.96 pounds, increasing the total to $19.78 — nearly $6 more than expected.
Another instance allegedly involved a Kentucky Legend Turkey Breast priced at $7.99 per pound.
The package she picked up should have cost $13.98 based on its 1.75-pound weight, but instead, her receipt showed a charge of $17.48.
Other products she was allegedly overcharged for was a $30.12 Hormel Ham that was expected to be $22.58, a $14.19 Kentucky Legend ham she thought would be $10.54, and a $17,48 Kentucky Legend turkey breast, which she assumed would be $13.98.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Interesting. I would have thought all of the meat items would show a weight, cost per pound, and total cost; then the total cost would be what scans into the POS system (cash register).
Using electronic pricing, it is possible the price you grabbed the object at will not be the same price by the time you reached the till.
Publix is the most overpriced store in the country, I checked driving coast to coast to coast 2 years in a row. I found Walmart grocery and Costco the best for groceries in the southeast.
At my Publix, if a scanned item is not what is posted on the shelf, the item is free.
That is true in the MidWest, too, but Aldi’s is always a good option, as well.
Exactly. Same at our local Publix. Ours also has numerous BOGO offerings of Of standard items like ice cream, chips, laundry detergent, etc. Standard prices may indeed be a bit higher than say, Wal-Mart, but Publix is superior just about every local grocery store here in NE Florida in available merchandise, staff, and cleanliness.
And helpfulness. Ask a staff member for help and they help. Make a request and they honor it.
Quick quick, run to the store and buy up all of the toilet paper for the tariff pandemic before it hits.
I’ve weighed produce at self check out, but the stores where I shop have bar codes to scan on meat and cheese - even when sliced to order at the deli counter.
The only thing that happens at the self checkout is if you got a Buy one and get 50% off the second that will show up.
bkmk
Near where I live there is a Walmart and Publix next door to each other. On most items, the Publix is usually more costly, but it has frequent deals that make a stop there often worthwhile.
Yes.
Wouldn’t put it past the bean counters to conniving the scales. The hidden costs of shoplifting also affects the honest customers.
” I found Walmart grocery and Costco the best for groceries in the southeast.”
COOL IT with the praise of Walmart here - we’re higher class than that dump. Same with McDonald’s.
Where I live, in Key West, there is a Publix next to a Publix!
I’ve been shopping at Publix for 30+ years and will continue to do so. If you study their web site and make a list, you can save a good bit of money. Publix brand foods are quite good, and, don’t get me started on their fried chicken!
Publx is one the best things about the South.
This lady, who looks like she’s Greek (dropese!)
She should be ashamed of herself.
They do make mistakes, along with the above, also when not recognizing to remove the sale signs of items that were on sale the day before.
You should check your receipts ALWAYS!
Huh?
In fact, if there’s a mistake, there’s a store policy that gives you that product free, and half the price of a second item you may have purchased.
Did she not know this.
I bought some kosher hotdogs the other day that were on sale for two for price of one.
We call them twofers.
There was a sign right next to the item.
When I checked out, the price was regularly priced.
Problem was they FORGOT to take the half price sign down.
But, guess what, they gave me the item free, and a second one at half price.
So, Dear Lady, they don’t do this on purpose, and remedy the mistake when it happens.
WRONG!!!!
If you shop wisely, you can save a bundle at Publix.
I guess you’ve never heard of their 2-fers? 2 for the price of one?
Plus there is less stress there. People are nice to each other.
Stress i not good for the digestion.
The smart buyer will shop at more than one place.
I like Publix and Aldi.
I avoid the bad parking, Karens and lies the like at Walmarts.
You are right.
The lady in this article is an obvious Karen, who probably shops there with her husband Ken.
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