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From: crs@lanl-a.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Automatic Overcharging
Message-ID: <13377@lanl-a.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 14-Sep-84 09:16:53 EDT
Article-I.D.: lanl-a.13377
Posted: Fri Sep 14 09:16:53 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 25-Sep-84 02:32:00 EDT
References: <314@houxv.UUCP>
Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Lines: 14

As I understand the scanning checkout devices, the advantage to the store
is that the price information is stored within the cash registers memory
*NOT* on the bar code label which only contains product identification
information.  Thus, not only is there no need to mark the original price
on the product, but if there is a price change the product still need not
be handled.  Only the shelf price *and* the machines concept of the price
need be changed.  Obviously this CAN lead to all sorts of misuse/abuse
such as the incident mentioned by houxv!bjt where the machines concept
did not reflect the sale price.  I find it easy to imagine the temptation
to do this intentionally not to mention the ease with which "good-faith"
errors occur.  In either case, I wonder what fraction of customers would
notice the "error."  Perhaps I'm too cynical.

Charlie