B.C. shopper warns of possible price disparity at the grocery store

As families across the Lower Mainland, and really right across the country, struggle with putting food on the table, one man in the Tri-Cities is telling others to be aware of the price you see at the grocery store.

Irwin Lee says he was at a Safeway in Burquitlam recently when he noticed the posted sale price and some of the amounts listed on packs of striploin steak didn’t quite add up.

“It just didn’t seem right,” said Lee. “I couldn’t see how they could price it differently. If the sticker price on the package itself is what you’re paying for, then picking up one package versus the one right next to it, you would either be getting the sale price, or you would be incorrectly paying the regular price.”

Lee says he’s noticed the same price discrepancy at other stores as well. He’s urging customers to examine price tags before they head to the check out.

“Always look at the packaging, look at the pricing, and even when you’re ringing through your purchases, check your receipt. It just seems like something that I’ve noticed happening a lot,” Lee explained.

He says at a time when groceries are expensive, the onus is on customers to do the math in their head when picking up any item.

“It seems like every time you go to the grocery store, prices have gone up. It’s just part of the frustration. I would hope that consumers are looking more closely and scrutinizing their bills, and these deals they’re supposed to be getting.”

Lee clarifies he doesn’t think stores are doing this “maliciously,” but he wants more oversight for grocery stores and wants them held accountable for errors.

On Tuesday, Statistics Canada released its latest inflation rate, which fell to 2.9 per cent in January from 3.4 per cent in December. The report found grocery prices were up 3.4 per cent annually last month, which is down from 4.7 per cent the previous month.

CityNews reached out to Sobeys, which owns Safeway, several times, but has yet to hear back.