OCEAN COUNTY — Dollar General and Dollar Tree agreed to pay Ocean County a combined $46,000 to settle investigations into checkout pricing and the disclosure of return and refund policies at their local stores, county officials announced.
The settlements cover 41 stores across the two chains and resolve both matters without extended litigation, according to the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs. Dollar Tree also agreed to cover associated attorney fees.
The recently completed Dollar General agreement applies to its 20 Ocean County locations and requires the company to pay $25,000.
Under that settlement, Dollar General must comply with applicable consumer protection and weights and measures laws and clearly post return and refund policies at every register. District managers and designated corporate employees also must attend educational meetings conducted by the county department.
The agreement reflects the company’s understanding that pricing concerns at its local stores have been satisfactorily addressed, according to department Director Ronald Heinzman.
Dollar Tree reached a separate consent agreement earlier this year after county investigators inspected all 21 of its Ocean County stores. That settlement requires a $21,000 payment, plus attorney fees, to resolve concerns about pricing and return policies.
Heinzman said the investigations were part of proactive enforcement by the county’s Office of Consumer Protection and Division of Weights & Measures. Both retailers responded promptly to the department’s concerns, allowing officials to negotiate settlements, he said.
Ocean County Commissioner Robert Arace, the department’s liaison, said accurate checkout prices and clear store policies help protect residents and visitors. He credited both companies with cooperating with county officials.
The cases were handled by Deputy Superintendent Brian Decasse, Assistant Superintendent Cody Wilbur and Officer Frank Nicalato of the Division of Weights & Measures, along with consumer protection investigators Barry Wieck and Andy Chencharik. Department attorney Laura Comer provided legal oversight.
Consumers can report suspected pricing discrepancies or unfair retail practices to the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs at 732-929-2105.
