Sick of Searching for Prices at the Apple Store? New Jersey Feels Your Pain

Apple has recently faced scrutiny from the New Jersey Attorney General’s office for its pricing practices in retail stores, resulting in a $150,000 fine. The state Attorney General, Matthew J. Platkin, announced that Apple has agreed to pay the civil penalty and make changes to its business practices. The issue revolves around Apple’s method of displaying prices digitally in its stores, which allegedly violated New Jersey’s requirement for prices to be easily visible to all customers.

The allegations arose from a reinspection by the Division of Consumer Affairs of 11 Apple stores, which were subject to a 2017 consent order mandating the continuous availability of pricing information for various Apple products. New Jersey law dictates that prices must be plainly marked with a stamp, label, or sign on or near the merchandise, a requirement that clashed with Apple’s digital pricing display approach.

While a compromise was reached in 2017 allowing digital price displays as long as they were immediately visible and required minimal interaction, Apple allegedly failed to comply with this agreement. State officials found that pricing information was lacking on display tables and smaller items in all 11 stores visited. This is not the first instance of such non-compliance, further aggravating the Attorney General’s office.

The $150,000 civil penalty imposed on Apple is the largest under New Jersey’s Merchandise Pricing Act. A consent order also mandates that Apple ensure pricing is readily accessible to customers through various means, including clear marking on merchandise, on-screen display, or close proximity to the product. Customers should not be required to use electronic devices to find prices unless the information is easily accessible.

In addition to pricing, Apple must also clearly post refund policies at merchandise displays, point of sale, or store entrances. The company is expected to adhere to these requirements to avoid further legal action.

Overall, the New Jersey Attorney General emphasized the importance of consumer transparency and accountability, stating that companies must uphold consumer rights. By complying with the consent order and ensuring pricing visibility, Apple can avoid future violations and provide a better shopping experience for customers.