Ohio AG files lawsuit against Dollar General over 'deceptive' pricing in Trumbull, other counties
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a lawsuit against Dollar General, alleging that the stores, including stores in Trumbull County, had prices marked for a price on the shelf, and charged a higher price at the register.
In a released statement, the Attorney General said that the Ohio Department of Agriculture rules permit stores to have up to a 2 percent error rate on overcharges. However, the state found from March 2021 to August 2022, the Attorney General’s Office received 12 complaints detailing similar unfair and deceptive practices by Dollar General stores in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Highland, Lucas, Madison, Richland, Summit and Trumbull counties.
The testing done last month in Butler County by the county auditor’s Department of Weights and Measures and made available to the Attorney General’s Office stated that error rates ranged from 16.7% to 88.2% for 20 Dollar General stores.
In the complaints filed with the AG's office, one consumer reported that a Dollar General in Franklin County listed shampoo at $1 on the shelves but charged double that amount at the register. In certain instances, consumers alleged that even after they pointed out price discrepancies, the stores would not change the price.
The lawsuit, filed in Butler County Common Pleas Court, cites violations of Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act, saying Dollar General listed false prices on items and engaged in bait advertising. In addition to seeking monetary payments, the state is seeking court intervention to remedy the unjust situation for consumers and bring Dollar General into compliance with Ohio law.
Dollar General, a Tennessee-based company specializing in household goods, has operated in Ohio since 2015. It has 943 stores statewide.
“Everything we buy these days costs more – Ohioans can ill-afford businesses that draw people in with the promise of low prices only to deceive them at the checkout counter,” Yost said. “This seems like a company trying to make an extra buck and hoping no one will notice. We’ve not only noticed but are taking action to stop it.”
21 News has reached out to Dollar General for comment.
Ohioans who suspect unfair business practices should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.
