Post date: Sep 04, 2018 10:25:11 PM

2Serve Many Consumer Tips

Getting What You Pay For When Buying Food

Read the label. Watch the scale. Check the price. Pay for the product—not the packaging.

Food is a major part of most household budgets. Understanding price, quantity, labeling, weighing practices, and packaging can help you become a more informed consumer.

A few simple steps can help you understand what you are buying and how you are being charged.

Why This Matters

When you purchase food, you should be able to understand:

• What product you are buying

• How much product you are receiving

• How the product is being measured

• What price you are paying

• How the final price was calculated

Understanding these basic concepts can help you recognize potential problems and ask informed questions.

Consumer Tip: Read the Label

Product labels provide important information about what you are buying and how much you are getting.

Look for:

• Product name and description

• Selling price

• Net quantity

• Unit of measurement

The net quantity may be expressed by weight, measure, or count, depending on the product.

Examples include:

• Ounces

• Pounds

• Grams

• Quarts

• Liters

• Fluid ounces

• Square feet

• Number of pieces

Don't Judge a Product by Package Size

A large package does not necessarily contain more product.

Read the label and check the net quantity.

The size or appearance of a package can sometimes be misleading if you do not check the actual quantity stated on the label.

Consumer Tip 1: Pay for the Product—Not the Packaging

When a product is sold by weight, applicable packaging materials are generally not part of the quantity of product for which you are charged.

The weight of packaging or other material that must be excluded from a sale is commonly referred to as TARE.

Tare May Include:

• Containers

• Trays

• Wrapping

• Tissue

• Bags

• Soaking pads

• Other packaging materials

Examples

Apples

If apples are sold by weight in a plastic bag, the applicable weight should represent the apples—not the bag.

Deli Foods

If you purchase potato salad, coleslaw, or another deli food by weight, applicable packaging should be accounted for when determining the quantity used to calculate the price.

Meat

When meat is sold by weight, applicable packaging materials such as trays, wrapping, tissue, and soaking pads should be properly accounted for rather than included in the quantity of product being sold.

Remember

You are buying the product—not the packaging.

Consumer Tip 2: Understand Net, Tare, and Gross Weight

Three terms are useful when buying products by weight.

Net Weight

Net weight is the weight of the product itself, excluding applicable packaging materials.

Tare Weight

Tare weight is the weight of packaging or other material that should be excluded from the sale.

Gross Weight

Gross weight is the combined weight of the product and applicable packaging.

The Basic Formula

Gross Weight minus Tare Weight equal Net Weight

A Simple Example

Suppose a package of meat has a labeled net weight of 2.00 pounds.

If you place the unopened package on a scale, the scale may show more than 2.00 pounds because the measurement includes the packaging.

That additional weight may represent the packaging and other materials included in the gross weight.

Important: Comparing the gross weight of a packaged product directly with the labeled net weight does not, by itself, determine whether you were overcharged.

The applicable tare must be properly accounted for when a product is sold by weight.

Consumer Tip 3: Watch the Scale

When purchasing products by weight at a grocery store, deli, meat counter, or other business, pay attention to the scale and the transaction.

1. Look for the Inspection or Approval Marking

Commercial weighing equipment is subject to applicable weights and measures requirements. Depending on the jurisdiction and equipment, a scale may display an inspection, approval, or other required marking.

2. Make Sure You Can See the Display

Whenever practical, the customer should be able to see the information displayed by the scale, including the weight and, when applicable, the price and total amount.

3. Check the Zero Indication

Before the product is placed on the scale, the scale should indicate zero or otherwise be properly prepared for the transaction according to applicable requirements.

4. Watch for Tare

When applicable, packaging should be properly accounted for so you are not charged for material that should be excluded from the sale.

5. Check the Calculation

Pay attention to:

Weight × Price per Unit = Purchase Price

If you are unsure how the price was calculated, ask the employee or manager to explain the transaction.

Consumer Tip 4: Ask Questions

You have the right to understand what you are buying and how you are being charged.

If you have questions about:

• Product weight

• Price per pound

• Price per ounce

• Tare

• Scale readings

• Net quantity

• The final price

Ask the store employee or manager to explain how the transaction was calculated.

A simple question can help resolve a misunderstanding before you leave the store.

Before You Pay

Use this quick checklist:

☐ Read the product label

☐ Check the net quantity

☐ Check the selling price

☐ Check the price per unit when applicable

☐ Watch the scale

☐ Make sure applicable tare is accounted for

☐ Check the weight and price calculation

☐ Ask questions if something is unclear

☐ Keep your receipt

What If You Suspect a Problem?

If you believe a business may not be following applicable weights and measures requirements, document the transaction before leaving the store when possible.

Keep your receipt and record:

• Business name and location

• Date and time

• Product purchased

• Quantity or weight

• Price per unit

• Total price

• Scale information, when available

• Packaging or tare information

• Any other details that may help explain the concern

If appropriate, you may contact the local or state Weights and Measures Program and file a complaint.

Remember

Read the label.

Check the quantity.

Watch the scale.

Check the price.

Pay for the product—not the packaging.

Keep your receipt.

Understanding how products are labeled, weighed, and priced can help you make informed purchasing decisions and recognize potential problems.

2Serve Many Consumer Tip

Know What You Are Buying

You don't have to be an expert in weights and measures to become a more informed consumer.

Read the label. Know the quantity. Watch the scale. Check the price. Ask questions. Keep your receipt.

A few seconds of attention can help you better understand what you are purchasing and what you are paying for.

Consumer Awareness: What Should I Do?

If you believe you received less product than represented, were improperly charged for packaging, encountered a questionable scale reading, or have another weights and measures concern, document the transaction and contact the appropriate local or state Weights and Measures authority.

Your receipt and other transaction information can provide useful documentation when reporting a concern.

Know Your Rights. Check the Facts. Get What You Pay For.

2Serve Many Weights & Measures Group

Consumer Education • Marketplace Fairness • Weights & Measures Awareness

www.2servemany.com
info@2servemany.com