The Scanning Code of Practice is a voluntary rule that participating Canadian retailers can adopt. If you’re shopping and an item rings up at a higher price than the one listed on the shelf, you’ll either get the item for free (if it’s $10 or under) or get $10 off the correct price.
The SCOP is a way to keep retailers accountable for accurate signage and checkout practices, while empowering consumers to call out inaccuracies (and get compensation). Every penny counts, and smart shoppers should take advantage of this policy to save money.
This article further explains how SCOP works and lists current participating retailers in Canada.
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What exactly is the Scanning Code of Practice?
The Retail Council of Canada is the governing body that has set the regulations regarding the Scanning Code of Practice. There are two important parts:
When a customer presents a claim and the scanned price of a product at checkout is higher than the price displayed in the store, or than advertised by the store, the lower price will be honoured.
- If the product's correct price is $10 or less, the retailer will give it to the customer free of charge.
- If the correct price of the product is higher than $10, the retailer will give the customer a $10 discount off the correct price.
Basically, if the scanned price of a product at checkout is higher than the displayed or advertised price, the item is free if the correct price is $10 or less. If the correct price is more than $10, the item's cost is reduced by $10.
The code applies to all scannable items with a Universal Product Code (UPC), bar code, or Price Look Up (PLU), except for merchandise not easily accessible to the public and individually marked items. These could include prescription drugs, behind-the-counter cosmetics, etc.
When does SCOP apply?
SCOP applies to one item, and the others will be charged at the corrected price. So, if you’re prepping for a big family brunch, are buying four cartons of eggs, and one of them scans incorrectly, you’ll only get that one item for free.
According to the website, SCOP only applies after the final sale price has been displayed, including discounts and coupons. To get the item for free or at a discount, wait until the cashier finishes ringing up your items and announces your total.
The product must match the product description on the shelf tag, and can’t be used where the law dictates a set or minimum price, or when a cost reduction is illegal for the retailer. Examples of prices dictated by law include certain drug prices (like insulin), hunting and fishing licenses, etc.
Products with a price sticker are also not eligible for SCOP, which usually includes clearance items.
Examples of how the Scanning Code of Practice works
If you find an item on the shelf advertised at $8.99, but it rings up as $12.50 when scanned, you’ll get the item for free. This is because the lower advertised/correct price of $8.99 is less than $10.
In another situation, if you find an item advertised in a store flyer for $45 but it rings up at $60 when scanned, you’ll pay $35 after SCOP is applied. In this situation, the cashier will subtract $10 from the advertised/correct price of $45.
Let’s say you discover an item with a shelf label of $12.50 and it rings up at $8.99. Here, SCOP doesn’t apply because the price at checkout is lower than the advertised price. You’ll most likely pay the scanned price of $8.99, not the $12.50.
Finally, if you find an item with an $8.99 price sticker affixed to the item itself, but it rings up at $12.50, SCOP won't apply. This is because SCOP doesn’t cover products that are individually labelled with a price. You’ll most likely pay the lower price of $8.99.
Which stores adhere to SCOP?
SCOP is a voluntary code that the following companies have agreed to follow:
| Best Buy | Lawtons Drug Stores | Save-On-Foods |
|---|---|---|
| Bulkley Valley Wholesale | Loblaw Companies Limited | Shoppers Drug Mart |
| Buy-Low Foods | London Drugs | Sobeys |
| Canadian Tire Corporation | Longos Brothers Fruit Markets | The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company of Canada Limited |
| Co-Op Atlantic | Lovell Drugs | The Groupe Jean Coutu (NB and ON only) |
| Choice’s Markets | Metro Inc. | The Harry Watson Group |
| Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. | Nester’s | The Home Depot Canada |
| Federated Co-operatives Limited | PriceSmart Foods | The North West Company |
| Fresh St. Market | Quality Foods | Thrifty Foods |
| Giant Tiger Stores | Rona | Urban Fare |
| IGA | Safeway | Walmart Canada |
All of these retailers, plus another 1,374 independent retailers, have agreed to adhere to SCOP regulations.
Make sure you ask for SCOP
In most cases, the cashier will not automatically invoke SCOP when you mention that an item was rung in incorrectly. The majority will simply apply the lower price and request payment. Most of the time, you need to ask for SCOP to be applied.
Even though this policy has been in effect since June 2002, many cashiers – perhaps even most – will react in one of two ways. They might look at you as if you've just spoken in a foreign language they don’t understand, then tell you they've never heard of such a thing (at which time you can show them the large white sticker prominently displayed).
Or they’ll dutifully apply SCOP without any argument.
We’re not really sure why SCOP isn't offered unless you ask, but it's worth asking, even if you get that blank stare from the cashier, which means they’ve really got no idea what you’re talking about.
Consumer complaint process
If you’re dissatisfied with the cashier's decision, you can ask to speak with their supervisor or the store manager. If either of these individuals can’t resolve the issue, you can ask to be directed to a company representative.
If the dispute still cannot be resolved, you can complete a complaint form found here.
Example situation
Let’s say you have an issue resolving an SCOP item.
You go to the grocery store, specifically to buy a product listed on the front page of the flyer, but the shelf price listed is last week's price. When the item is scanned, the price matches last week's higher price. You then ask about SCOP, and the cashier states that SCOP doesn't apply because a system glitch prevented them from changing the pricing.
The manager confirms the glitch was chain-wide and that the signage hasn't been changed so that they can still comply with the SCOP wording. According to them, the "display" price isn’t higher than the scanned price.
The "system glitch" exception isn’t listed on the Competition Bureau of the Government of Canada's website or on the Retail Council of Canada's site. But if you call the store's head office and they confirm the glitch, they’ll likely credit you $10.
In a situation like this, the lower price was advertised in the flyer, and the SCOP rules specifically mention the price "advertised by the store," not just “displayed in-store.” You are fully within your rights to expect a credit or discount.
Tips for taking advantage of SCOP
For those savvy shoppers looking to score deals whenever possible, here are some tips for using the SCOP to your advantage.
Generally, the first morning of the advertised sale week is the best time to look for SCOP items. Some stores may not have changed over all the shelf prices from the previous week, or their system may not be fully updated with the new prices yet. As a result, you could stumble upon some good deals.
Some retailers have in-store price scanners for consumers, so you can determine the price of your purchases before you reach the checkout. Using these, you can find out before you proceed to the checkout if you have an SCOP item in your cart.
If you return to the store on a different day (or after the staff changes over) and the price hasn’t been corrected yet, you can get another SCOP item for your efforts. After all, the purpose of the code is to get retailers to update and correct their prices quickly.
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FAQ
What is the scanning code of practice in Canada?
The scanning code of practice, or SCOP, is a program that retailers can participate in by promising to compensate consumers if items don’t ring up at their listed prices. It helps keep merchants accountable and protects consumers.
Does Walmart Canada follow the scanning code of practice?
Yes, Walmart Canada is one of the major retailers that participates in the scanning code of practice. Other participating retail chains include Best Buy, Lawtons, Home Depot, Giant Tiger, Canadian Tire, and more than 1,300 independent retailers.
What is the purpose of the scanning code of practice?
The scanning code of practice protects Canadian consumers from inaccurate pricing or false advertising. It holds retailers accountable for the accuracy of the prices listed on its shelves and the actual prices shoppers pay at checkout.
Which stores participate in SCOP?
Many large retail chains – like Walmart, Best Buy, Giant Tiger, Home Depot, and others – follow SCOP, as do more than 1,300 independent retailers. Participation is voluntary, and the list of participating retailers changes quite regularly.
What are the scanning code of practice rules?
To qualify for SCOP, the item must match the product description or bar code on the store shelf. SCOP doesn't apply to products with price stickers, particularly as many of these stickers indicate sale or clearance prices.
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Comments
Have you experienced this at multiple SDMs or just the one?
There's no app - and this article should give you most of the information you need to start using it.
I've had it go both ways when their is a date. I think they should still honour it but I don't hassle them if they point to the fact that there is a date clearly marked on the tag.
The first step would be to contact their head office and tell them your story.
Good suggestion Rob. I was at a Shoppers Drug Mart recently where I caught a price error. The manager happened to be there helping with the transaction for other reasons so I told her about it. I could see her hesitate when telling the cashier what to do with the price adjustment. In my mind, she visibly made the decision not to offer SCOP.
I was in a hurry so almost didn't want to bother with it anyway. However, the person who was in line behind me went to another cash so I decided to bring it up. She had no problem giving it to me when I asked. As usual, cashier had no idea what it was about. Not trained on purpose :)
This sounds like it would be out of scope of SCOP to me. Unit price should only be applicable to units. You can sell a case for a different price than you can sell the units for. Also nothing stopping them from making the case more expensive than the individual units. As long as labeling is correct for both case price and unit price, there is nothing really for them to correct.
That's a complicated question. Usually if the tag is still up even if the dates are wrong they should still honour. Some stores will try not to though. They should go take the tag down right when they give you the price adjustment and free item.
I can't imagine them giving you both for free though.
Sounds like you made out really well in the end darren although it was a bit of a hassle for you I'm sure to do all that back and forth.
I believe the store owner is correct here Charlie. The point of the policy is to prevent retailers from misleading consumers with inaccurate pricing. That can be considered a sort of bait and switch. However, if you encounter a product without a price it becomes the consumer's choice to either find out the price or not purchase the product.
Ultimately, one would hope that stores would display prices for all their products to make a better shopping experience for consumers - otherwise people just won't shop there. However, that isn't a requirement by SCOP or any other policy or law that I know of.
Hi Mary - I'm not sure what you mean by "it only applies AFTER the transaction has been completed". If you mean you are supposed to go to customer service after you've already paid the incorrect price and get it adjusted - then no I don't think that is the case. They can/should be able to adjust the price right at the register.
However, you may have more luck going to customer service after the fact because chances are that all those employees will be much more knowledgeable about SCOP so you should get fewer blank stares.
Well, it's nice to see stores committing to quality and accurate prices. I definitely prefer to shop at those stores that make that commitment.
That's excellent, great work!