Six More Stores Accused of Overcharging

By Lookout Staff

March 17 -- The City Attorney filed misdemeanor charges against six more Santa Monica stores for charging more than the posted price on items, bringing to 15 the total number of stores prosecuted since last December.

An undercover County inspector found that each of the half dozen stores charged at least $1 higher than the posted price on items. Two of the stores -- Tower Records and Sally Beauty Supply -- pleaded no contest Wednesday to all of the charges against them.

"These overcharge cases are among the most serious that we prosecute," said Deputy City Attorney Adam Radinsky, who heads the Consumer Protection Unit. "It's a stealth crime because consumers often have no idea that they have paid too much, let alone that it's a crime for the store not to honor its posted price."

Tower Records on Santa Monica Boulevard near the Third Street Promenade admitted to overcharging on three of the 13 items purchased by the inspector. The three items were rung up at $10, $5 and $4 more than the advertised price.

Tower will pay fines and penalties totaling $10,210.

Sally Beauty Supply, located on Lincoln Boulevard, was convicted of overcharging on two of the nine items purchased by the inspector. The store will pay total fines of $6,983.

The remaining four stores, which will be arraigned next month, are:

• Borders Books on the Promenade, which is charged with three overcharges out of 12 items.
  
• 99c Only Stores on Pico Boulevard, which is charged with two overcharges out of 15 items.
  
• Puzzle Zoo on the Promenade, which is charged with one $39 overcharge out of seven items.
  
• Planet Funk, in Santa Monica Place, which is charged with one $10 overcharge out of five items.

Under the Business and Professions Code it is a crime for businesses to charge more than the posted price. Each violation carries a maximum penalty of $3,300.

Also, under LA County ordinance, each store that violates the law must post a notice of violation in its window for 60 days.

In December, nine Santa Monica retailers were caught overcharging customers anywhere from $2 to more than $100 during a sting by County inspectors last summer.