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OCEAN COUNTY, NJ - Dollar General and Dollar Tree have entered into settlement agreements with the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs after investigations found issues involving pricing accuracy and the disclosure of return and refund policies at the retailers' local stores.
"The Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs is committed to protecting the residents and visitors alike at the register and ensuring a fair and honest market in our stores," said Ocean County Commissioner Robert S. Arace, liaison to the Department. "Both Dollar General and Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. took our suggestions and guidance seriously, which directly resulted in these settled agreements."
As part of the department's ongoing mission, "Protecting Ocean County," the Ocean County Office of Consumer Protection and the Division of Weights & Measures launched proactive investigations focusing heavily on consumer pricing accuracy, as well as store return and refund policies, according to Director Ronald Heinzman.
The recently finalized agreement with Dollar General covers all 20 of its retail locations within Ocean County. According to Heinzman, the mutually agreed terms require that:
•Legal Compliance: Dollar General will strictly comply with all Consumer Affairs and Weights & Measures laws.
•Policy Transparency: Return and refund policies must be visibly and clearly displayed at all cash registers.
•Pricing Resolution: The corporation maintains an understanding that all localized pricing concerns are satisfactorily rectified.
•Staff Education: District managers and appropriate corporate employees will attend mandatory coeducation meetings hosted by the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs.
•Financial Penalty: Dollar General will pay the County of Ocean $25,000 under the terms of the agreement.
This action follows a similar Consent Agreement reached earlier this year with Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., which was enacted after investigators visited all 21 of its Ocean County locations. To resolve issues surrounding consumer pricing and return policies, Dollar Tree agreed to pay Ocean County $21,000, in addition to covering associated attorney's fees. By entering into these formal agreements, both corporations avoided protracted litigation.
"Both store chains were immediately responsive to our concerns, which resulted in each Consent Agreement, keeping each matter out of court in both cases," said Heinzman. "Ocean County consumers who suspect pricing discrepancies or unfair retail practices are encouraged to contact the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs to report their concerns at (732) 929-2105."
Deputy Superintendent Brian Decasse, Assistant Superintendent Cody Wilbur, and Officer Frank Nicalato from the Weights & Measures division handled both cases, alongside Investigators Barry Wieck and Andy Chencharik from Consumer Protection. Laura Comer, Esq., Attorney for the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs, provided legal oversight.
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