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Weights and Measures
Weights and Measures

Get tips for buying products by weight or other measurements

Are you getting your money's worth? Learn how to get an accurate amount when you make a purchase.

5 tips for the smart shopper

  1. Watch the weighing or measuring device.  
    Make sure it starts at zero.
  2. All items weighed and sold at the register must include deductions for tare weight (protective wrap, container, produce bag, etc.).  
    All packaged items sold by weight must be labeled with the net weight (the weight of the wrapping or container should not be included).
  3. When buying gasoline, check that the pump is cleared and set to zero before dispensing fuel.  
    Problems with your car's performance after buying fuel should be reported to Weights and Measures immediately. This ensures the fuel from the station can be sampled and tested for quality.
  4. Package size may be deceptive.   
    Descriptions such as "king size," "giant size," "family size," etc. are not accurate representations of quantity. Report apparent quantity discrepancies.
  5. Check your receipts for price accuracy, especially on sale items.  
    If you feel you have been overcharged, tell the clerk or the store manager about it. You should also report overcharge problems to the County of Santa Clara Weights and Measures Division.

If you feel you have been overcharged, tell the clerk or the store manager about it. You should also report overcharge problems to the Santa Clara County Weights and Measures Division.

How can we help?

We provide assistance to the consumer by responding to and in resolving consumer complaints. Listed below are a few examples of how we can be of assistance.

A box tied in string, a carton of milk, and a large jug partially filled with liquid.
Deceptive packaging
A large container used for gasoline or other motor fluids.
Contaminated motor vehicle fuels
A scale on a table that will be used to weigh groceries.
Product misrepresented based on weight
A moving truck with stacked boxes about to be loaded on to the truck.
Moving companies that charge by weight
Check-out registrar with with buttons, cash drawer, and LED display that shows the total cost.
Overcharged at register, scanner problems
A yellow car with "TAXI" displayed on its top LED display.
Taxi meters

Shop with confidence

Our inspectors are here to protect you when you buy things.

Quantity control

If you feel a package is under weight or a label is deceptive, call us and we can investigate that product for accuracy. We can test for weight, volume, and item count.

Petroleum

All petroleum vehicle fluids have to meet quality standard and have accurate labeling. If you feel a product is mislabeled or not up to its usual standard, call us. We can investigate gasoline, antifreeze, gear oil, automatic transmission fluid, and others.

Measurement compliance

By law, weighing and measuring devices, such as gas pumps, scales, and checkout scanners must be accurate. If you encounter a measuring device you think is incorrect, call us and we can investigate to make sure it's working properly.

Weighmaster

When they charge you at the dump by the weight of your trash, or if you buy a load of bulk materials (like sand, gravel, or cement), the transaction must be performed by a licensed weighmaster and they must give you an official weight document. Call us if you feel you've been cheated by a weighmaster.

A man smiles as he weighs apples on a grocery store scale

Advice for consumers

Watch the weighing or measuring instrument. When buying gasoline, look at the pump meter before the start of fuel delivery. Check your receipts, especially scanned items on sale, for price accuracy.

Learn about savvy shopping
Different slices of meat laid out on wood cutting boards

Door-to-door meat sales

Door-to-door salesmen have been around for many years. The selling of meat by door-to-door salesmen is legal in the state of California and consumers can often save money through this type of purchase.

Learn about door-to-door meat sales
A pile of chopped wood stacked outside a house

Wood for fuel sales

Wood, for fuel purposes, shall only be sold or offered for sale by cord measure, excepting as hereinafter provided. The cord is hereby established as a standard measure, and shall contain 128 cubic feet, well-stowed and packed.

Learn about wood for fuel sales

Download our brochure to get your money's worth when you shop.

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Related service

File complaint about inaccurate prices, scales, and gas pumps

About us

We investigate inaccurate prices, scales, meters, and pumps.