Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  02/20/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Price Less foods CHARGING 10 Percent of grocery bill on foodstamps for grocers taxes. No taxes are suppose to be charges to low income recipients of food stamps. This is illegal. I shopped there because it's close to my home. I've noticed the 10% charge everything that I've shopped there. Other grocery stores do not charge the 10% tax charge to cover the grocers/owners taxes. Low income individuals shouldn't be charged this to cover the tax dept of the store. I feel like it's a scam to do this and they're going against the rules of the government for foodstamp recipients. They're not told about the extra charge on receipts on each transaction. I just noticed it and asked about it. I was told that it's to cover the grocers taxes and was charged for it again today (14th) and noticed it on 2-09-2024 also. This is wrong and something needs to be done about it. There are 10% charges daily for each individual using foodstamps. I believe it is illegal to charge the poor person on foodstamps.

  Business response

  03/04/2024

  Response to BBB Complaint ID 21294400
  
  The complaint filed by a customer visiting the Price Less Foods location in Kingsport, TN, states that Price Less Foods of Kingsport charges an additional 10% tax to customers, specifically food stamp recipients.   It also states the customer was unaware of the 10% markup until her receipt was printed.
  
  We appreciate the opportunity to explain our cost-plus format to the customer.  The 10% charge indicated on all receipts of Price Less Foods of Kingsport (regardless of food stamp eligibility) is not a tax.   Price Less Foods of Kingsport displays on the shelf, via shelf tags and signage throughout the store, the cost of our products as determined on our signage. We then add 10% at the point of sale to run our location profitably.  This pricing transparency is displayed via large signage on perimeter walls within the location.  In conjunction with this statement, we have submitted an example of the signage from our Price Less Foods of Kingsport location.  
  
  We hope this statement and submitted picture aid the customer and BBB to understand our cost-plus format and, more specifically, explain that 10% is not a tax and the markup is not hidden from customers.  We take reports from our customers seriously and appreciate the opportunity to resolve complaints through open communication to serve all customers better at Price Less Foods of Kingsport, TN.

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