LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- How would you feel knowing that you paid $100 for something, only to find out that your neighbor paid only $75 for the very same thing, at the very same store?
A new report recently found that some stores are monitoring you and what you buy more than you think, and they could be setting prices based on what you buy and where you live.
During a time when we are all trying to beat inflation, you may be a victim of "surveillance pricing." That means some customers are charged more because stores think you can afford it.
As an example, the FTC says "a customer profiled as a new parent may be shown higher priced baby thermometers."
A MacBook showed a $79 GE toaster at a store, while a Dell Windows Laptop showed a $23 Black and Decker toaster first. In the meantime, a 2-slice toaster was $12.33 on a laptop and just $11.48 on a phone, all from the same store.
To avoid surveillance pricing, use a search engine like Duck Duck or FireFox that limits data tracking. Don't allow stores to access your location, and compare prices on multiple devices so you don't overpay for a product.
More area business stories:
Publix hiring for 2 new Louisville grocery stores with nearly 300 open positions
Heaven Hill cuts ribbon on new state-of-the-art Louisville headquarters
New Cuban café, bar opening in Louisville’s Shelby Park neighborhood
