Guardian investigations found that some convenience and dollar stores frequently charge checkout prices higher than those listed on shelves, and that landlords such as Greystar add fees averaging 20 percent of rent.

Because Bureau of Labor Statistics price checkers record shelf prices and may miss unreported rental fees, these practices could cause the Consumer Price Index to understate the prices consumers and tenants actually pay.

The article notes that the effect on measured inflation depends on how widespread and recent the practices are, and argues that both the rip-offs and their statistical impact should be addressed.

The Guardian has had a series of pieces in the last year looking at ways that stores and landlords rip off customers and tenants. In the case of stores, one piece found evidence that convenience stores charge prices at the checkout counter that are higher than the price listed on the shelf. A prior piece reported that Dollar stores also frequently charge people more than the shelf price.

Another one reported on fees and fines........

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