Receipts and Package Labels in General:

• Typically the receipt or package label are the only documents a consumer can obtain in order to contest a commercial transaction. It is very important to always obtain a detailed receipt at the conclusion of any transaction and to retain that receipt until you are satisfied with your purchase. Packaged products without any labeling should never be purchased.
  
  The receipt and or package label should indicate:
  
  1. Name and address of the responsible party. - (Required)
  2. The date/time of the transaction.
  3. The name or identity of the product bought or sold. - (Required)
  4. The "Net" weight, volume or count. - (Required)
  5. The unit-price (for example the price per pound). - (Required)
  6. The total price. - (Required)
     
     
• For transactions involving mobile delivery units (trucks) it is very important to have the truck identification number provided along with the driver’s signature.

Review your receipts!

Should a receipt lack certain information or contain any incorrect information, as an aware consumer you should request that a corrected receipt be generated or that the missing information be provided.

Purchasing Liquefied Propane Gas:

• When buying this product for use with small cylinders (gas grills, mobile homes) be sure the product is sold by weight.
• Ensure that the scale used during the filling process begins on zero.
• Make sure the cylinder (particularly important when the cylinder is not completely empty) is weighed prior to filling.
• Also, that the final weight is determined only "after" the delivery hose has been disconnected.
• The "net" weight will be determined by subtracting the initial weight from the final weight. This is the weight that you are to be charged for.

Propane and Fuel Oil for the Home:

• When you purchase propane or fuel oil for home delivery, make sure any contracts are reviewed in detail so you know what to expect.
• When possible witness the delivery being made.
• A detailed receipt is required to be provided by the operator, at the time the delivery is made.
• Ask the operator to point out the security seal (affixed to the meter adjustment) and confirm that it is intact. For propane deliveries ask to see the "second" security seal that should be affixed to the "temperature compensator", and again ensure that it is securely in place.
• Again ensure the receipt contains a starting volume or zero, along with the final volume delivered. This helps ensure that you have not been charged for products not delivered.
• Look for the truck identification number.
• The drivers name and signature.
• Save your receipt.

Firewood:

• Firewood is to be sold by the cord only, though half-cords and quarter-cords are also permitted, a "face cord" or any other method of sale is incorrect.

Landscaping Materials:

• These products are sold by weight or volume only.
• Packaged products must be individually labeled. If they are not avoid purchasing.
• For products sold by weight ensure that a "commercially approved device" is utilized. Know that any weight determined from a "loader scale" (a scale designed to be integrated with a front-end loader piece of equipment) may be inaccurate as these devices are designed for "estimating weights" only.
• For products sold by volume, packaged items must be properly labeled and when purchasing such products in bulk, the consumer can often confirm the size of the loader bucket (one-yard bucket, three-yard bucket etc.) by looking for the identification plate affixed by the manufacturer.

Packaged Products in General:

• "Tare Weight" a very important term for the consumer to know. Tare weight is the weight of any and all packaging materials used when selling an individual package by weight. This weight is subtracted from the "Gross Weight" (or total weight of a package), in order to determine an accurate net weight for which you should be charged.
  
  For example; you purchase a family pack of strip steaks at $7.99 per pound. The labeled net weight is 4.79 lb. The tare weight (which consists of the styrofoam tray, two soaker pads and the plastic wrap) and is determined to be 0.15 lb.
  
  If the operator does not subtract the "tare weight" from this package as required to determine an accurate net weight, the consumer has just paid an "extra" $1.98 for this material that is inedible.

Who Can You Call:

• In the State of Michigan the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s Weights and Measures Program is charged with the sole regulatory responsibility to ensure that all commercial transactions that involve products sold by weight, measure or count is correct. Remember that it may mean pennies at the gas pump, but it may be substantially more when purchasing large volumes of products for your home or family. If any consumer or business has any question or concern regarding such matters, they can contact the Office of Weights and Measures at 517-655-8202.