The price at the cash register is higher than on the price tag: is the store obliged to sell the product cheaper

Buyers often encounter a situation where the price of a product on the shelf differs from the one printed at the checkout. Most often, sellers explain this by the fact that they did not have time to replace the price tags after the price change. However, the legislation of Ukraine clearly defines at what price a store must sell a product and how to act towards a consumer in case of violation of his rights.

The State Service for the Supervision of Food and Consumer Protection of Ukraine reminded about this.

At what price should a product be sold

According to Article 633 of the Civil Code of Ukraine, the sale of goods in stores is carried out under the terms of a public contract. This means that the seller does not have the right to refuse to sell the product to the buyer if it is in stock.

The price indicated on the price tag in the sales hall is a public offer to conclude a purchase and sale contract. That is why the store is obliged to sell the product at the price indicated on the price tag, even if a different price is displayed at the checkout.

In addition, such a requirement is stipulated by clause 16 of the Rules for Retail Trade in Food Products, approved by order of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine No. 185.

What to do if a different price is stated at the checkout

If the cashier reports that the product is more expensive, and explains the difference by the fact that the employees did not have time to update the price tags, the buyer has the right to demand the sale of the product at the price indicated on the shelf.

The State Service for the Supervision of Food and Consumer Protection emphasizes that the internal organizational issues of the store cannot limit the rights of the consumer.

How to protect your rights

If the store refuses to sell the product at the price indicated on the price tag, experts recommend:

record the violation in a photo or video;
write down the name of the store and its address;
file a complaint with the territorial body of the State Service for the Supervision of Food and Consumer Protection.

The department emphasizes that the buyer has the right to receive reliable information about the cost of the product even before its purchase. Therefore, if the price at the checkout is higher than indicated on the price tag, the store must sell the product at the price announced to the consumer.