Price check!

Two massive convenience stores — 7-Eleven and Circle K — have been accused of overcharging their customers. A bombshell investigation by the Guardian found sweeping price discrepancies at multiple locations across the country.  

The probe found that customers were being charged more at checkout for items that were being advertised at lower prices on shelves, sale signs or gas-station marquees. The report noted a customer, Marco Cruz, who pulled into a Circle K in McAllen, Texas and grabbed a pack of beef and jalapeño cheese sticks that were priced at $3.99 on the shelf. 

Once Cruz hit the counter, they rang up at $4.19. He asked the employee to adjust the price and got a flat no. Cruz told The Guardian that in the last six months, similar price disparities had happened to him at other convenience stores at least five times.

The 29-year-old isn’t alone in his frustration — shoppers all across Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Colorado, Utah and New York have experienced massive price inconsistencies between the two giant chains.

The report found Circle K failed 35% of price-accuracy inspections in Florida, 62% in North Carolina, and a colossal 82% in Columbus, Ohio, between 2023 and 2025.

Convenience chain, 7-Eleven, failed 47% of inspections in Colorado and Utah and 79% in Ontario County, New York.

The news organization reviewed 153 shopper complaints involving the two mega chains across 17 states. About half involved food, drinks and merchandise, while the other half involved gasoline — as many complaints included price differences at the pump were higher than those advertised on roadside signs.

Earlier this year, an Arizona inspection revealed a whopping 12 of 25 products at a 7-Eleven rang up higher than what its shelf price had advertised with a $3.99 pack of gum ringing up at $4.99.

With prices already at record highs, that $1 difference can impact budgets.

The Post reached out to 7-Eleven and Circle K for comment but has not heard back.

So how can you protect yourself from busting your budget — it all starts with paying close attention.

The next time you are shopping, look closely at the price advertised and watch when the item gets scanned. If you spot a discrepancy, alert an employee before you pay as it may be easier to fix ahead of payment. 

Shoppers may also want to snap a quick picture of the advertised price as it is likely easier to get an employee to honor what’s being shown — especially if it’s a promotion.

Lastly, report problems. It’s always helpful to have a record of something because if a retailer won’t fix the problem — you can take it to your local consumer-protection agency.