Media Advisory:

Consumers Need To Watch Scanners to Ensure They Get the Right "Sale" Price

FTC/NIST "Price Check II" Report to be Released

What:		According to "Price Check II," a survey of the accuracy of electronic price scanners used in retail stores, consumers need to pay attention at the checkout counter because the prices of 1 in 28 sale items were found to be incorrect. The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology will review these and other findings of their 1998 survey of the accuracy of prices for sale and non-sale items. The report, which is a follow-up to a 1996 study, was carried out by weights and measures officials in 36 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

When:		10:30a.m., Wednesday, December 16, 1998

Where:		Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Room 432 (Room will be available to camera crews at 9:30 a.m.)

Who:		Elaine Kolish Associate Director, Division of Enforcement Federal Trade Commission Robert Hebner Acting Deputy Director National Institute of Standards and Technology

Media Contact:: Federal Trade Commission
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2180

National Institute of Standards and Technology
Public and Business Affairs
301-975-4403