Updated October 2026
An item scans higher than the price you saw on the shelf. You know you may be entitled to the Scanner Price Accuracy Code, commonly called SCOP, but what do you actually say to the cashier?
You do not need to argue, make a scene, or know the entire Code by memory. Start by calmly pointing out the pricing error and asking whether the Scanner Price Accuracy Code applies.
Exactly What To Say To The Cashier
“Excuse me, this item scanned higher than the displayed price. Could you please check whether the Scanner Price Accuracy Code applies?”
That is usually all you need to say. The Retail Council of Canada says that when you notice an incorrect scan, you should notify the cashier. The cashier should then follow the store’s procedure to resolve the issue.
What Is The Scanner Price Accuracy Code?
The official name is the Scanner Price Accuracy Code. Many Canadian shoppers still know it as the Scanning Code of Practice or SCOP.
Outside Quebec, it is a voluntary code administered by the Retail Council of Canada for participating retailers. It is not a Canada-wide law. Quebec has separate regulated scanner-pricing rules.
If an eligible product scans higher than its displayed or advertised price at a participating retailer, the lower price is honoured. If the displayed price is $10 or less, the qualifying item is free. If the displayed price is more than $10, you receive $10 off the lowest advertised price.
For the complete rules, exclusions, examples and Quebec information, read my Scanning Code of Practice in Canada guide.
Before You Ask For SCOP, Check These Three Things
- Does the retailer participate? Look for Scanner Price Accuracy Code signage near the entrance or checkout, or check the current participant list.
- Does the product match the shelf tag? The description and corresponding UPC must match. A product simply sitting in the wrong spot does not qualify.
- Did it actually scan higher? The Code is for eligible products that scan above the displayed or advertised price. Even a 1¢ difference may qualify when the other requirements are met.
See my current participating retailers list and free SCOP tracking printable before your next shopping trip.
What Should Happen After You Tell The Cashier?
Once you point out the higher scanned price, the store may verify the shelf label, advertised price and product. If the product qualifies, the Scanner Price Accuracy Code remedy should be applied.
- Displayed price $10 or less: one qualifying item is free.
- Displayed price over $10: $10 is deducted from the lowest advertised price.
- Multiple identical items: the Item Free Scanner Policy applies to one unit. The remaining identical units are sold at the corrected displayed price.
What If The Cashier Has Never Heard Of SCOP?
Do not assume the cashier is deliberately refusing you. New employees may not know the policy or may need someone else to verify the price.
Try this:
“No problem. Would you mind checking with your supervisor or manager? I believe this store participates in the Scanner Price Accuracy Code.”
The Code’s complaint process specifically provides for a customer who disagrees with a cashier’s decision to be directed to the store manager or supervisor. If the issue still cannot be resolved, it can move to the retailer’s designated company representative.
What To Say At A Self-Checkout
If you notice the wrong price at self-checkout, stop before finishing the transaction if practical and call the attendant.
“This item scanned higher than the displayed price. Could you please check the price and whether the Scanner Price Accuracy Code applies?”
The important issue is the eligible scanner-pricing error, not whether you used a staffed lane or scanned the product yourself.
What If You Notice The Error After You Pay?
This happens. You may be unloading groceries, dealing with children, or simply notice the mistake when you check the receipt later.
The Retail Council of Canada says you can contact the store or its customer service department after the purchase has been completed. Keep your receipt. A receipt is required when claiming the Scanner Price Accuracy Code after a completed purchase.
You can say:
“I was shopping here earlier and noticed on my receipt that this product scanned higher than the displayed price. I have my receipt. Could you please check whether the Scanner Price Accuracy Code applies?”
When A Cashier May Correctly Say SCOP Does Not Apply
Not every pricing disagreement qualifies. Current Retail Council of Canada guidance includes several important exclusions and situations where the Code does not apply.
- The item has a price physically attached to it, such as a clearance or sale-price sticker.
- The product does not match the description and UPC on the corresponding shelf tag.
- The lower price is loyalty- or membership-based pricing.
- An expired sale date is clearly shown and the regular or after-sale price is also displayed.
- The purchase was made online or through a third-party delivery service.
- The item is priced by weight or its PLU is manually entered rather than scanned.
- There is no displayed price to compare with the scanned price.
- The product is government-regulated, such as alcohol or tobacco.
- The issue involves a broken, malfunctioning or dead-battery electronic shelf label, which RCC treats as missing or inoperative signage.
That is why I recommend checking the product and shelf label before insisting that the Code applies.
What If The Store Still Refuses?
If you believe the product qualifies and the issue is not resolved, stay polite and work through the escalation process.
- Ask the cashier to verify the displayed price and the Code.
- Ask for the store manager or supervisor.
- If necessary, contact the retailer’s designated customer-service or company representative.
- Keep your receipt and any useful information about the shelf price.
- If the qualifying dispute remains unresolved, consult the Retail Council of Canada’s Scanner Price Accuracy Code complaint process.
The Code says participating retailers should train staff on the Code and display Code information at store entrances and checkout stations.
Do You Have To Use The Word “SCOP”?
No. In fact, saying the full name — Scanner Price Accuracy Code — may be clearer. “SCOP” is a familiar term among Canadian bargain shoppers, but an employee may recognize the official name more readily.
Do Cashiers Have To Automatically Offer SCOP?
The safest approach is to speak up when you notice the error. RCC’s consumer guidance tells shoppers to notify the cashier when an item scans incorrectly. The Code says the cashier is authorized to implement the Item Free Scanner Policy when a scanner-price error occurs.
Can You Claim SCOP For A 1¢ Error?
Yes, potentially. RCC specifically says that a product scanning even 1¢ higher than the advertised or displayed in-store price may qualify, provided the other Code requirements are met.
Is SCOP A Law In Canada?
No. The national Scanner Price Accuracy Code is voluntary and applies at participating retailers. Quebec is different because scanner-price accuracy is regulated provincially there. Quebec’s rules should not be confused with the national voluntary Code.
My Best Advice: Be Polite, But Speak Up
When I first moved to Canada, I was hesitant about returning products or asking for refunds. With experience, I learned that calmly asking a question about your money is nothing to be embarrassed about.
Pricing mistakes happen. Cashiers make mistakes. Shoppers make mistakes too. The goal is not to “catch” an employee. It is to make sure the price is correct and, when the product qualifies, that the participating retailer follows the Code it has adopted.
So remember the simplest version:
“This item scanned higher than the displayed price. Could you please check whether the Scanner Price Accuracy Code applies?”
More Canadian SCOP Resources
- Scanning Code of Practice In Canada: Complete SCOP Guide
- Participating Retailers + Free SCOP Tracking Printable
- Retail Council of Canada: Scanner Price Accuracy Code
Have you ever had to ask a cashier or manager to apply the Scanner Price Accuracy Code? Tell me what happened in the comments.
NOVEMBER – Nov 27-DEC 3, 2017
2017 GROCERY BUDGET / STOCKPILE BUDGET AND US RESERVE:
•Total Grocery Budgeted For Year: $190.00 x 12 = $2,280.00 for 2 adults
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REMARKS FOR THE MONTH:
We have hubby on vacation for 4 weeks starting on Friday and we’ll likely do lots of eating lunches outside the home as we travel around taking in the Christmas sights and sounds. Our vacation budget will handle our lunch hour treats – even if we just pick up a vegetable tray and some cold meat and cheese to enjoy. I am making sure though that we have either a pot of soup, a nice stew or some homemade beans in the fridge for a quick re-heat when we do get home. My well stocked pantry and freezer make it easy to whip up some awesome soups without going anywhere near a store!
REMARKS FOR THE WEEK:
Better still…when hubby starts his time off, I don’t need to make any packed lunches again until January! Woo hoo! I get a bit of a vacation too! ?
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OUR “CANADIAN” SHOPPING:
OUR NEXT SHOP IS SCHEDULED FOR AFTER CHRISTMAS!
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OUR “US RESERVE” SHOPPING:
OUR NEXT SHOP IS SCHEDULED FOR AFTER CHRISTMAS!
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2017 Y-T-D GROCERY SAVINGS:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions This Year: $308.47
•Total Coupons/Rain Checks Used This Year: $0.00
•Total Price Match Savings Used This Year: $0.00
•Total More Points Earned This Year: 324 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year: 58 Air Miles
•Total PC PLUS Points Earned This Year: 20,000 Points
•Total Optimum Points Earned This Year: 4,100 Points
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SUMMARY OF FUNDS Y-T-D:
$ 2,090.00 Grocery Budget JAN-NOV
($ 414.57) NET RESERVE SAVINGS
($1,675.43) Actual CASH SPENT
$ 0.00 AVAILABLE Y-T-D GGC SPENDING NOT INCL RESERVES
RESERVES Y-T-D:
$ 405.69 Re-Stocking Fund
$ 170.70 Holiday Season Fund + $210 RCSS POINTS +
$10 Dream Air Miles + $10 RCSS Gift Card (TOTAL $400.70)
$ 649.59 Summer Season Fund
$ 421.87 US Shopping Reserve
$ 41.56 GGC Savings Reserve
$ 0.00 Points Redeemed Reserve
OUR CURRENT TOTAL UNUSED RESERVES ARE $1,689.41. This means the $1,274.44 that we carried forward from 2016 PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $1,445.94 that we have added in 2017, LESS $1,030.97 that we have drawn out for use in 2017.
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Hi Mary,
So Larry is off now until after Christmas? WOW that’s great!!!
Is this your final shop for 2017?
You get ballot #11
Mr.CBB
No, I will have one shop in Canada and one shop in the US for the final week of December.
Please take time to read the FAQ’s from the Retail Council of Canada so you know when SCOP applies vs. when it does not apply. Having worked retail, too many people think SCOP is a given – however, things like shelf label matching the product, product is stickered vs. not stickered, it is a look up item vs. a scanned item (i.e. produce is where you often see this), etc.
Please, everyone, read the FAQ’s on the Retail Council of Canada’s website regarding when SCOP applies vs. when it does not. There are times when it does not apply; having worked retail, I’ve seen too many people think it applies when it does not.
Please read the FAQ’s on the Retail Concil of Canada’s website regarding SCOP for when it applies vs. does not apply. I’ve worked retail where often hear people claiming SCOP when it isn’t.
Week 45 – Nov 24 – 30, 2017
Name Your Store: Superstore
Total Coupons Used: $
Total Points = 13,200
Total Out Of Pocket: $91.19
Human
2 Ragu Spaghetti Sauce – $1.98 (PM Frescho – $1.00) = $2.00
2 Classico Alfredo Sauce – 2/$5.00 (400 PC Points) = $5.00
4 NN Pasta – (800 PC Points) = $4.72
4 NN Mushrooms – (800 PC Points) = $5.16
10 NN Tuna – (2,000 PC Points) = $12.90
3 Habitant Pea Soup – $2.78 (PM No Frills @ 5/$5.00) = $5.00 (I goofed when telling the cashier the per item $)
2 Oatmeal Crisp – $5.48 (PM Frescho @ $3.00) = $6.00
2 Honey Bunches of Oats – $4.99 (PM Zehrs @ $1.77) = $3.54
2 Danone Yogurt – 4.18 (PM No Frills @ $2.97) = 5.94
NN Cheese – $4.97 (1,000 PC Points) (PM Zehrs @ $4.49) = $4.49
4 L 2% Milk = $4.27
4 – 1 L Chocolate Milk = $4.00
4 Minute Maid Frozen Juice = $2.00
750 g Frozen Green Beans = $2.68
5 lb Clementine = $2.98
10 lb Potatoes = $3.99
Bananas – 1.055 Kg (200 PC Points) = $1.33
Gala Apples – 1.110 Kg = $3.64
Bartlett Pears – 1.130 Kg = $3.19
2 Old Mill WW Bread – (600 PC Points) = $3.36
5 Country Harvest Bread – $2.79 (PM No Frills @ 3/$5.00) = $5.00
Cats
No Shop
Grocery Game Challenge Results
Total Grocery Budget for the 2 Adults ($1820.00, for the pay period – $70.00)
Total Human (Adults) this Week Period: $91.19
Total Human (Adults) to Date: $1,427.70 (minus Debt pymt & Gift Cards) = $1,271.31
Total Grocery Budget for the 3 Cats ($364, for the pay period – $14.00)
Total Cats this Week Period: $
Total Cats to Date: $350.39
Total Grocery Budget for Stockpile ($507.69)
Total Stockpile this Week Period: $
Total Stockpile to Date: $163.05
Total Grocery Budget for the Personal Hygiene ($182)
Total Personal Hygiene this Week Period: $
Total Personal Hygiene to Date: $227.40
Total Grocery Budget for Meat ($499.98)
Total Meat this Week Period: $
Total Meat to Date: $407.10
Total Coupons Used this Week Period: $
Total Coupons Used To Date: $22.48
Total Grocery Savings for this Week Period: $
Total Grocery Savings to Date: $89.64
Total Price Match for this Week Period: $22.99
Total Price Match to Date: $77.48
Total PC Points Received this Week Period: 13,300
Total PC Rewards Points Used this Week Period:
Total PC Rewards To Date: 20,928
Overview: This week resulted in a major stock up of groceries. Definitely made use of the PC Points for the next round of free groceries.
Hey Dee,
I figured there would be a big shop in the making after moderating the last few. I see those clemintines are in the stores again for the holidays. We love them too but the Mrs. won’t eat them but I will. Is it just me or do you notice the prices going up at the grocery store? You get ballot #10 Great shop, and points!