Tennessee Weights & Measures Officials: Making a Difference, So You Don’t Pay the Difference

“Our weights and measures inspectors work to protect our economy and system of commerce for both consumers and merchants,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. “Everyone has a direct financial stake in knowing all transactions are fair.”

 

This year’s Weights & Measures theme is Making a Difference. With as much as 50 percent of a family’s income used to purchase consumer goods, the impact of an inaccurate marketplace can be significant. For example, if every pound of meat were incorrectly weighed by .01 pounds, it would amount to 500 million pounds annually. And if every gas pump were inaccurate by a tablespoon per five gallons, it would amount to a total error of about $125 million annually nationwide. Having a regulatory presence in place protects consumers from the small differences that can have a tremendous cumulative impact.

 

Tennessee, like many other states, partners with NCWM to create fair and equitable national standards. State weights and measures officials are making a difference by ensuring that these standards are met. Every day, state inspectors conduct random price verification and net weight inspections on weighing and measuring devices at various establishments across the state. They help ensure products and services sold by weight or measure comply with state laws.

 

“Every year, more than 18,000 scales and nearly 90,000 motor fuel pumps are inspected,” said TDA Weights & Measures administrator Bob Williams. “These unannounced inspections protect both the consumer and industry.”

 

Even with these inspections and a more than 90 percent compliance rate, it is important for consumers to know and understand their role by observing basic practices when purchasing goods involving weights and measures.

 

TDA has tips to help protect consumers:

 

·  Check that pumps and scales always begin on zero prior to the start of the transaction.

·  Note that all packaged commodities should clearly state the net quantity (ounces, pounds, quarts, liters, etc.) on the package.

·  Pay close attention to the price of items being scanned to ensure pricing accuracy.

·  If a consumer notes a problem, they need to first talk with store personnel and give them the opportunity to correct the discrepancy. If the problem is not explained or corrected to their satisfaction, consumers should contact the TDA’s Weights & Measures office and provide a detailed explanation of the issue. Following the completion of an inspection, the Weights & Measures office will provide a report of their findings upon request.

 

For more information, or to register a weights and measures complaint, contact TDA at (615) 837-5109 or toll-free at 1-800-628-2631 or visit www.TN.gov/agriculture.