Two Prices for the Same Item: Consumer Rights You Should Know
It is a common scenario: you find a product with two different prices. We explain which price you are legally entitled to pay.
It happens quite often: you enter a store, choose a product, and discover that it bears two different prices. One is lower, the other is higher, but which one should you pay?
Let’s clarify the rules. According to the Consumer Protection Law, when there is a discrepancy between the price presented to the consumer on the product or shelf and the price registered at the checkout, the consumer is entitled to pay the lower of the two.
For example, if a price of 9.90 NIS appears on the product, but it scans at the checkout for 12.90 NIS, you are entitled to pay the lower amount of 9.90 NIS. This holds true even if the price at the checkout was updated in the system while the shelf label was not.
What if two different price stickers are attached to the product itself? Even in this case, do not rush to pay the higher amount. If two prices are presented, you should point out the lower one and request that the transaction be processed accordingly.
While some businesses may attempt to evade this law with various excuses, the legal standard is clear: the lower price prevails. If you discover the discrepancy only after payment, check your receipt against the price displayed in the store. In the event of an overcharge, you may contact the business to request a correction. It is also recommended to take a photograph of the price tag, especially when the price gap is significant.
Ultimately, the responsibility for ensuring that checkout prices match displayed prices lies with the business. The next time you see two different prices on the same item, do not assume you must pay the higher one; in case of a mismatch, the lower price is the one that determines.
