By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey has joined a federal lawsuit against Dollar General Corporation, accusing the discount retailer of repeatedly charging customers more at checkout than the prices advertised on store shelves.
According to a statement released by Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, New Jersey is joining the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a bipartisan coalition of 19 other states in legal action alleging years of deceptive pricing practices affecting shoppers nationwide.
The complaint claims that customers purchasing everyday necessities, including groceries, cleaning products and household supplies, were routinely charged higher prices at the register than those displayed on shelves, product tags and advertisements.
State and federal officials allege the discrepancies resulted in millions of dollars in overcharges, particularly affecting consumers in lower-income and rural communities.
Investigators also claim Dollar General received tens of thousands of customer complaints about pricing differences but failed to establish adequate measures to correct the problem.
“Bait-and-switch pricing hurts New Jersey families who are already struggling just to get by,” Davenport said, emphasizing the state's commitment to protecting consumers.
Christopher Peterson, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, also criticized the alleged practices, particularly as families face rising costs for basic necessities.
The lawsuit alleges violations of federal consumer protection laws and New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and Dollar General will have an opportunity to respond to the claims as the case proceeds.