http://m.nydailynews.com/new-york/exclusive-foods-faces-city-probe-overcharges-article-1.2268695
Rip-off on aisle four.
The city has launched a probe of Whole Foods Markets after investigators nabbed the upscale food purveyor for routinely overcharging customers on groceries during dozens of inspections dating back to at least 2010, the Daily News has learned.
The most recent spate of violations came during a sting operation the Department of Consumer Affairs conducted in the fall that specifically checked the accuracy of the weight marked on pre-packaged products.
Inspectors weighed 80 different types of items at Whole Foods’ eight locations in the city that were open at the time. They found every label was inaccurate, with many overcharging consumers, agency spokeswoman Abby Lootens told The News.
Whole Foods spokesman Michael Sinatra said the Texas-based chain "never intentionally used deceptive practices to incorrectly charge customers."
Sinatra said Whole Foods disagrees with the city's findings and is "vigorously defending" itself against the allegations. Sinatra also noted that the store always refunds any items found to have been incorrectly priced.
Whole Foods, according to the city, wasn’t the only bad apple. The sweep included 120 grocery stores citywide, and 77% were hit with one or more violations.
Susan Watts/New York Daily News
Mini roast beef sandwiches were all priced at $3.49 for 3 ounces, despite their varying weights, from 4.5 to 5.1 ounces.
But the notoriously pricy chain was the most egregious offender — leading DCA to open a full-blown investigation of its pricing practices last year, said Commissioner Julie Menin.
"Our inspectors told me it was the worst case of overcharges that they've ever seen," Menin said.
The overcharges ranged from 80 cents for a package of pecan panko to $14.84 for a container of coconut shrimp, Lootens said.
Overall, the city's Whole Foods stores have received more than 800 violations during 107 separate inspections since 2010, totaling more than $58,000 in fines, a Daily News analysis of data obtained via a Freedom of Information Law request shows.
Menin says the findings were particularly shocking because the chain has been fined for the same violations several times.
The Columbus Circle location has the dubious distinction of being hit with the most pricing violations in the entire city — 240 during 28 inspections dating back to 2010 — The News found. The violations range from failing to display prices to overcharging at the scanner and adding tax to items that are not taxable under state law.
Rip-off on aisle four.
The city has launched a probe of Whole Foods Markets after investigators nabbed the upscale food purveyor for routinely overcharging customers on groceries during dozens of inspections dating back to at least 2010, the Daily News has learned.
The most recent spate of violations came during a sting operation the Department of Consumer Affairs conducted in the fall that specifically checked the accuracy of the weight marked on pre-packaged products.
Inspectors weighed 80 different types of items at Whole Foods’ eight locations in the city that were open at the time. They found every label was inaccurate, with many overcharging consumers, agency spokeswoman Abby Lootens told The News.
Whole Foods spokesman Michael Sinatra said the Texas-based chain "never intentionally used deceptive practices to incorrectly charge customers."
Sinatra said Whole Foods disagrees with the city's findings and is "vigorously defending" itself against the allegations. Sinatra also noted that the store always refunds any items found to have been incorrectly priced.
Whole Foods, according to the city, wasn’t the only bad apple. The sweep included 120 grocery stores citywide, and 77% were hit with one or more violations.
Susan Watts/New York Daily News
Mini roast beef sandwiches were all priced at $3.49 for 3 ounces, despite their varying weights, from 4.5 to 5.1 ounces.
But the notoriously pricy chain was the most egregious offender — leading DCA to open a full-blown investigation of its pricing practices last year, said Commissioner Julie Menin.
"Our inspectors told me it was the worst case of overcharges that they've ever seen," Menin said.
The overcharges ranged from 80 cents for a package of pecan panko to $14.84 for a container of coconut shrimp, Lootens said.
Overall, the city's Whole Foods stores have received more than 800 violations during 107 separate inspections since 2010, totaling more than $58,000 in fines, a Daily News analysis of data obtained via a Freedom of Information Law request shows.
Menin says the findings were particularly shocking because the chain has been fined for the same violations several times.
The Columbus Circle location has the dubious distinction of being hit with the most pricing violations in the entire city — 240 during 28 inspections dating back to 2010 — The News found. The violations range from failing to display prices to overcharging at the scanner and adding tax to items that are not taxable under state law.
(Have been inside of one). They are building one right down the road though.
and yet they blame OBAMA for the debt of this nation
Market.