How To Ask A Cashier To Apply The Scanner Price Accuracy Code

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

If you have never heard of The Scanner Price Accuracy Code, also known as The Scanning Code Of Practice (SCOP), in Canada, and you’re the primary shopper, you must read this blog post.

I promise you that you’ll be happy you did, especially with the price of groceries rising in Canada.

Today, I want to show you how easy it is to ask for The Scanner Price Accuracy Code to be applied to an incorrect price on a product you’ve purchased.

I also want to discuss how to handle SCOP at the cashier, customer service, or after you’ve gotten home and found a pricing error.

Understand How The Scanner Price Accuracy Code Works

There’s a right way to ask for The Scanning Price Accuracy Code and a wrong way.

Asking for help doesn’t mean you are weak; you have the strength to speak up, say something is wrong, and would like assistance to solve it.

We can’t possibly know everything, so don’t be ashamed; speak up.

I spoke with a CBB reader about The Scanner Price Accuracy Code, and she told me that her friend said that only “low-income people” ask for their money back because of a pricing error.

She said she would never ask but would say something if the price rang higher.

It seems odd that one would have no problem pointing out a pricing error but will not ask for SCOP (if applicable to the store).

The Scanning Price Accuracy Price policy has NOTHING to do with income levels; indeed, no one should be ashamed to ask for it.

Don’t let other people’s insecurities fall on your shoulders.

Speak up!

The person above is more worried about what others think about her financial status than anyone else.

Customer Service Excellence Brings Loyal Patrons

Why is such a stigma pointed at consumers who want excellent customer service for promises or promotions?

All of the below stores promise to help consumers save money, and the company makes money.

You’d be a fool to see $10 in a puddle, step over it, and leave.

If you catch my drift, don’t ask for a unicorn when you know they only have horses.

• Lowest prices
• Best Prices
• Price Guarantee
• Rain Checks
• Won’t be Beat
• Customer Service First
• The Scanning Code of Practice
• Price Matching
• Coupon Policy

Different Names For The Scanner Price Accuracy Code

You may hear many names for this policy; however, SCOP, Scanner Price Accuracy Code, or The Scanning Code of Practice is typical.

I get these common search queries on Canadian Budget Binder, and I realize that not everyone knows about SCOP and wants to learn.

Knowing what you are talking about before you ask for it helps speed up the process when cashing out or speaking to management.

Most shoppers visiting Canadian Budget Binder for information on The Scanning Code of Practice are Walmart Shoppers.

I understand why people want to shop at Walmart, especially when they offer SCOP and an excellent return policy.

Any store that will service customers in such a way will get their business.

Variety Of Names For The Scanner Price Accuracy Code

• Wrong price law
• Walmart’s incorrect pricing policy
• Walmart Canada price protection
• Price scan law
• Scanning policy
• Code of Conduct Canada
• Scanning Code of Conduct
• Price Information Code of Practice
• Incorrect pricing law
• I want my money, and I want it now.

What Is The Scanner Price Accuracy Code?

In a nutshell, SCOP, or The Scanning Code of Practice Canada, is for wrongly priced items for sale when scanned.

The product scanned must ring higher than the posted shelf price (UPC).

The SCOP will often be applied because the company forgot to change the product price in the computer system or the shelf tag.

If you are new to SCOP, I’d encourage you to click the link above and read all about it.

The Scanner Price Accuracy Code is one of the most popular posts on Canadian Budget Binder.

Consumers want to know how it works and apply it when grocery shopping.

We’ve never had a problem applying SCOP when the previous week’s grocery flyer sale tags were left up.

Having one person bring that to their attention to be corrected might save them more customer hassle.

I mean phone calls from customers who realize once they are home of the pricing error or multiple customers getting SCOP applied.

I’m pretty confident that any store that offers SCOP gives themselves a kick in the butt when they miss something, but mistakes do happen.

My tip is never to take your eyes off the computer screen and cashier when checking out.

You do the moment when you miss the opportunity to have SCOP applied.

The Scanner Price Accuracy Code After Cashing Out

What do you do if you miss SCOP and realize after you’ve paid or gone home?

We’ve often had this happen, especially when our toddler demands attention.

Mrs. CBB often watches the cashier scan, and I’ll bag and play Mr. Bean with our little monster.

The most crucial step after paying your cashier is to read your receipt before leaving the store.

If that means you pull your shopping cart over for a moment to scan the receipt, then do it.

A minute of your time could save you money!

If you find a discrepancy, now is the time to go to customer service with the product and receipt and have them investigate the possible pricing error.

You might find you goofed up (we have many times), or you have a product you paid for too much.

In this case, you can ask to have the receipt adjusted, and the cashier will ask for your credit card or debit card if that’s what you paid with to reimburse you the money.

If you paid with cash, you would get cashback. Cashiers sometimes ask if you want cashback instead of putting the money back on your card.

Once the cashier has given you back what you paid for the product and applies SCOP, they will have you sign a print-out receipt for their records.

You smile, give thanks, and go away with your money back.

Finding A Pricing Error When You Get home

What if I’m already home and realize I paid too much for a product?

Call customer service or go back in right away with your receipt if this is the case.

Ideally, making a phone call is far easier than going back to the grocery store.

Scenario: How To Ask To Have The Scanner Price Accuracy Code Applied From Home

Here’s what you can say when you call customer service.

Customer Service: Thanks for calling (insert grocery store) (cashier name); speaking, how can I help you?

The Customer: Hi, I was just in your store doing our weekly grocery shopping, and when I came home and read my receipt, I realized that the (insert product) had rung higher than the price tag, flyer price, sale price, etc.

Customer Service: What is the product in question? How much did you pay for it?

The Customer: The product is (insert product), scanned at $4.99, but is on sale in the flyer for $2.99.

Customer Service: They will call a department for verification or check the flyer to confirm. Yes, I see you have paid too much.

If you could bring in your receipt, we can adjust that and return the difference.

Customer: Would it be okay to bring my receipt next week when I grocery shop to customer service for the adjustment, including applying SCOP?

Customer Service: Not a problem. What is your name so I can write it down in our book so the next cashier will know you’ve talked to me?

Let the cashier at customer service know that you talked to (insert customer service cashier name), and I’ve approved the SCOP adjustment.

Customer: Thank you for your help. Have a great day.

Customer Service: You as well, and thank you for choosing (insert grocery store name here).

Ask For A Manager If You Don’t Get What You Want

That’s all, but if you get an employee who won’t budge or doesn’t know about SCOP, ask to speak to someone in charge.

If you’re in a rush, take your receipt to customer service and rectify the situation.

However, you’ll get The Scanner Price Accuracy Code applied if applicable.

Management staff should be trained and know how to handle the situation.

Oddly, not all stores with The Scanner Accuracy Price Code train their cashiers about it.

It isn’t fun for customers and cashiers who need training about The Scanner Accuracy Price Code to wait.

Even then, some cashiers have no idea how to apply the policy if they are new to it.

As a customer, you must be straightforward about what you want to happen.

Motivate the cashier to ask for a manager or another cashier to help if they don’t understand the store policy.

Don’t ever get embarrassed about YOUR money!

The Scanner Price Accuracy Code At The Cashier

As mentioned, you should never be humiliated regarding your money, especially when asking to implement SCOP.

It’s your money; if you spot an error, you do the company a favor.

You become part of the team spotting errors, and the reward is a free product or up to $10 off.

I’ve put together a few suggestions for those who are too shy.

The phrases below should ease any stress when asking for SCOP once the cashier verifies a pricing error.

1. Could I please have SCOP applied to this product?
2. Your store follows SCOP, so I’d like to have that applied for this pricing error, please.
3. May I please have SCOP applied to this product due to the higher scanned price?
4. I’d like to please have SCOP exercised for the (insert product) pricing error.

Always thank your cashier and manager and smile because mistakes happen, and not all cashiers understand The Scanner Price Accuracy Code.

Asking For Help Takes Practice

The more you practice something, the better you will get at it.

Admittedly, when I first moved to Canada, I was shy to return a product, let alone ask for SCOP.

I’m a pro at it today, and nothing bothers me when talking to managers or cashiers.

I guess that means I’ve got lots of practice.

You might not necessarily like to do it all the time, but when you know there is a benefit, you’ll do it.

Working outcomes to mind! You either love or hate it, but know there are health benefits.

If speaking up or asking for help is a weak spot for you, then find easy ways to boost your confidence in stressful situations or where you feel nervous about speaking up.

If I took $100 from your wallet or purse, would you let me walk away with it, or would you say something?

Likely, you would say something because it’s your money.

With SCOP, if applicable to the store you are shopping at, it comes up wrong; they are walking away with your money. The same should apply: speak up.

You’ll get your price adjusted for more than one product you’ve purchased and your money back for one up to $10 or $10 off if more than $10.

Your money wears shoes, too! Keep up or watch it run out of your life.

Discussion:

• Have you ever struggled to ask for SCOP?
• What other ways could someone who struggles ask to have SCOP applied?
• If I’ve missed something, please comment below, and I’ll add it to the post.

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