The San Diego County District Attorney's Office and other prosecutorial agencies obtained a $338,000 settlement in a consumer protection lawsuit brought against the company that owns and operates numerous NAPA Auto Parts stores in California, it was announced Tuesday.
The civil suit, filed in San Diego Superior Court, alleged that Genuine Parts Co. overcharged consumers through electronic register scanners which rang up inaccurate prices.
Genuine Parts, which is based in Atlanta, owns and operates many of the NAPA Auto Parts stores in California. The settlement binds only Genuine Parts and does not apply to independently owned NAPA Auto Parts stores.
"This judgment reflects the significance of the county Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures in ensuring businesses deal fairly with consumers," said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. "It's important that businesses compete fairly in the marketplace and charge the prices they advertise."
The case arose when weights and measures inspectors in San Diego and other counties found a continuing pattern of instances where the prices charged at the cash register were not the lowest posted price displayed at the NAPA Auto Parts retailer in violation of California law, she said.
Under the terms of the judgment, which was entered without an admission of liability, Genuine Parts is required to comply with California's pricing accuracy laws and must implement an internal compliance program aimed at improving pricing procedures for the next three years.
