AutoZone Stores in Union County Reach Settlement Over Alleged Pricing Violations

Elizabeth, NJ -- AutoZone has agreed to revise its business practices, and to pay $47,500 to the State following a settlement with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Reaches Settlement over allegations of pricing violations.

AutoZone locations in Newark, Carteret, Elizabeth, Linden, Flemington, and Plainfield had failed to plainly mark the total selling price on some merchandise. Additionally, some merchandise scanned at the cash register reflected prices that were higher than the prices posted at the location in the store where the merchandise was displayed for sale, according to the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.

“Consumers have a right to know the price of merchandise before they remove it from the shelves” said Acting Attorney General Robert Lougy. “Requiring consumers to wait until they are in a checkout line to discover the price deprives consumers of the opportunity to make an informed decision as to purchases and is in direct violation of our consumer protection laws.”

As part of the settlement, the automotive parts retail chain entered into a Consent Order in which it agreed to conduct weekly merchandise price audits, create a pricing accuracy best business practices guide, provide annual pricing training for AutoZone’s New Jersey store managers, and employ a corporate pricing compliance coordinator to monitor AutoZone’s pricing accuracy in its New Jersey stores.

Additionally, AutoZone’s $47,500 payment consists of civil penalties, investigative costs and attorneys’ fees, according to the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.

Similar allegations were also made against Advance Auto and Pep Boys. The Division of Consumer Affairs filed actions against these two other automotive parts retailers in December for merchandise pricing and price scanning violations at several stores throughout New Jersey. These actions are currently pending.

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file an online complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504- 6200.