Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Weights and Measures Act 1987

Sale of goods by weight, measure, or number

15: Counting of goods sold by retail

You could also call this:

“Rules for counting items when you buy them”

When you want to buy things that are sold by counting, like apples or pencils, there are rules the seller must follow. If the items are not already in packages, the seller has to count them for you or let you watch them count. They need to do this either before or when you buy them.

If the items are already in packages and were counted before being put out for sale, you can ask the seller to count them again for you. The seller must do this if you ask.

These rules are to make sure you get the right number of items you’re paying for. If a seller doesn’t follow these rules, they’re breaking the law.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM102561.

Topics:
Money and consumer rights > Consumer protection
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14: Offences, or

"Breaking rules about weighing and measuring things can get you in trouble with the law"

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15A: Weighing and measuring of goods sold by retail, or

"Rules for weighing and measuring goods in shops"

Part 3 Sale of goods by weight, measure, or number

15Counting of goods sold by retail

  1. This section applies if a person offers or exposes goods for retail sale by number.

  2. If the goods are not prepackaged when offered or exposed for sale, the person must ensure that the goods are counted—

  3. before or at the time of sale; and
    1. by or in the presence of the purchaser.

      1. If the goods are prepackaged and counted at the premises or place where they are offered or exposed for sale before they are offered or exposed for sale, the person must, at the request of the purchaser, count the goods in the presence of the purchaser.

      2. A person who contravenes this section commits an offence.

      Notes
      • Section 15: replaced, on , by section 11 of the Weights and Measures Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 145).