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The County Auditor serves as the Sealer of Weights &
Measures for the entire county. According to ORC§319.55 "The Auditor shall see that all state laws relating to
weights and measures are strictly enforced throughout
his county, and shall assist generally in the
prosecution of all violations of such laws." |
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Some Ohio cities have
also implemented Weights and Measures programs as
part of their city services. |
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The County Auditor is
responsible for testing the accuracy of weighing and
measuring devices used in the purchase and sale of
commodities. |
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The Director of
Agriculture is the State Sealer of Weights and
Measures. |
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The Ohio Department of
Agriculture is the custodian of the Ohio primary
standards of Weights and Measures, which are
traceable to U.S. standards of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology in
Gaithersburg, Maryland. The International standards
are kept in Paris, France. |
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According to the 2007
Annual Activities Summary for all jurisdictions in
Ohio, inspectors testing approximately 47,267 scales
and 96,745 gas pumps. |
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As consumers, the
products we buy are sold by weight, volume, length,
count, or measure. |
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The time-tested
methods of verifying weight, volume, and pricing are
being replaced by computerized devices.
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There are positives, as well as cautions, involved
with the advances in technology. As U.P.C. pricing and
computers are replacing price stickers, consumers
receive faster service, but they cannot visually verify
each item's price. |
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Therefore, Weights and Measures officials and
merchants must work harder to provide customers with
pricing and measuring confidence.
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Consumer Tips
When buying an item by count, such as prescription drugs, make sure the label indicates the amount you are to receive.
When buying firewood, be sure to request a receipt which has the name, and the address of the vendor, as well as the delivery date, amount delivered, quantity upon which the price is based and the total price of the amount delivered.
When purchasing gas, be sure to multiply the price per gallon by the number of gallons so you are sure the price is correct and that the pump should always start on zero.
When purchasing merchandise on a counter scale, remember that the height of the person can cause a difference when reading the indicator on scales that are not electronic.
When purchasing merchandise by weight make sure the scale starts on zero and that tare is taken correctly.
Look for all current year Weights and Measures seals on all weighing devices.
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Error Rates
Error rates vary within each of Ohio's 88 counties.
Ohio jurisdictions are very responsive to calls. Upon
receiving a complaint a Weights and Measures official will usually inspect the
site within 24 to 48 hours.
If an error is found, the facility's equipment may be
temporarily shut down or the operators may be fined. Records are maintained
for all reported complaints. |
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Pre-Packaged Commodities
All commodities must be marked with a statement declaring net contents. Net
weight does not include the weight of the bag, wrapper or container of any kind
in which a commodity may be packaged. This is called the tare weight, which must
be accounted for before the product is weighed.
Inspectors from the State
and County periodically check the accuracy of these pre-packaged
items.
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U.P.C. Scanners
The Universal Product Code (U.P.C.) is used in most
retail stores to scan the price of the item. The price of the item
is entered into a computer. When the item is scanned the price will
immediately appear on the register. The County Auditor is helping to
ensure that the labeled shelf price or the advertised price matches
the price appearing at the checkout. |
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Gas Pumps
Fuel is sold by volume in gallons or liters. A computer
in the gasoline pump (retail motor fuel dispenser) calculates what
you owe based on the amount and unit price of the gasoline.
Weights and Measures
officials post a seal to show that the equipment was tested and
found to be accurate.
In 2008, 1,495 retail
motor fuel dispensers were tested.
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Fire Wood
In Ohio, the legal method of sale for fire wood is the cord or
fraction of a cord.
A "cord" is defined as 128 cubic feet. Fire wood must be labeled in
cubic feet or cubic inches.
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Scales
In 2008, 730 commercial scales were tested. These include scales
ranging from those found in grocery stores to large capacity truck
scales.
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Complaints
Complaints can be emailed to the county auditor at
auditor@co.wood.oh.us or
you may leave a message at 419-354-9150
or 1-866-860-4140.
Please include the following details in your message:
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Refer to "weights and
measures" in your subject line
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Indicate the date,
time, and description of incident.
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Be specific with regard
to type of incident to include one of the following:
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