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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Pawn shops and other metal purchasing stores are using much more accurate scales than last year to weigh gold and other precious metals.
A Utah Department of Agriculture and Food inspection found recently that 83 percent of metal scales at more than 300 businesses are accurate.
The Deseret News reports (http://bit.ly/1wonGum) the department found only 38 percent of scales were accurate in 2013.
Travis Waller, a director with the department's regulatory services, says some businesses were using the wrong kind of scales and consumers couldn't be sure they were paid fairly for their metal.
Businesses with an inaccurate scale must correct the error within 10 days or pay a fine.
The department says consumers should look for a label on a scale indicating it's been inspected by state officials.
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Information from: Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com
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