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NIST OWM Teams Up with Massachusetts for Price Verification Training

Byline: John McGuire and David Sefcik

NIST OWM was delighted to provide a 2-day price verification training event based on the NIST Handbook 130 Examination Procedure for Price Verification for the Massachusetts Weights and Measures Association (MWMA) in Marlborough, MA. The event was held on September 10 and 11, 2024.

The student turnout and level of participation were spectacular—with 116 inspectors and administrators in attendance. Each official brought with them a broad range of experience and was actively engaged and enthusiastic as part of Massachusetts’s vibrant and active price verification program. Jack Walsh, who was instrumental in coordinating this large training event, stated:

The NIST classroom and field training from David and John gave the field inspectors the knowledge and confidence to conduct “price verification” inspections in any type of retail store, large and small, which uses a barcode scanning system. Their expertise was so beneficial to our new inspectors, as well as our more seasoned inspectors.

Jack Walsh (MWMA), John McGuire (NIST OWM), Marty Shoup (Videographer) David Sefcik (NIST OWM)
Jack Walsh (MWMA), John McGuire (NIST OWM), Marty Shoup (Videographer), and David Sefcik (NIST OWM) preparing for price verification demonstrations in a local grocery store.

 

Day 1 of the event included a half-day of classroom instruction, followed by an afternoon of hands-on training with each inspector demonstrating proficiency in following the examination procedure. Day 2 continued with a full day of hands-on training in the field at two different supermarket venues.

Attendees of September Massachusetts Price Verification class
Participants of the NIST Handbook 130 Examination Procedure for Price Verification held on September 10 and 11, 2024, in Marlborough, MA.

In addition, we were fortunate to have a professional videographer record the price verification training in both the classroom and hands-on field training. The pictures and videos will be used to create new and supplement existing OWM price verification training materials and e-learning resources. Be on the lookout for these forthcoming videos from NIST OWM!

The MWMA supplemented the training with a presentation on unit pricing, item pricing, and an overview of the recent NCWM National Survey on Price Verification conducted in partnership with NIST OWM and numerous state and county Weights and Measures jurisdictions. Jonathon Brillo, President of the WWMA, best summed it up by saying:

"The MWMA is constantly looking to improve our educational experience for inspectors at our conferences. So, when the opportunity arose to have David and John provide Price Verification training, we jumped at it. They were exceptional trainers who kept our association engaged both in the classroom and field exercises. Our members were incredibly grateful for their efforts and cannot thank them and NIST enough for providing this valuable training."


 

OWM’s John McGuire discussing price verification to participant of seminar
OWM’s John McGuire discusses Price Verification methods with a Massachusetts Weights and Measures Official.
OWM’s John McGuire demonstrating Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode scanning for price verification
OWM’s John McGuire demonstrates Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode scanning for price verification to a Massachusetts Weights and Measures Official, Ananna Rana (City of Lynn, MA).

 

David Sefcik reviews an inspection report with a Massachusetts Weights and Measures Official James Shattuck
OWM’s David Sefcik reviews an inspection report with a Massachusetts Weights and Measures Official, James Shattuck (Winchester, MA).
OWM’s John McGuire instructs a Massachusetts Weights and Measures Official Dennis Clark – Westfield MA on how to properly conduct a price verification at the typical grocery store meat counter.
OWM’s John McGuire instructs a Massachusetts Weights and Measures Official, Dennis Clark (Westfield, MA), on how to properly conduct a price verification at the typical grocery store meat counter.
Released September 30, 2024, Updated February 4, 2025