7 Food Lion Policies Virginians Often Miss

The price on the shelf tag says one thing, and the price when you check out says another.

Food Lion’s Scan Guarantee covers that, but the guarantee has exclusions, and milk is one of them.

Here are the Food Lion policies Virginians often miss.

1. Tips at Pickup

Food Lion’s help center says store employees aren’t permitted to accept tips when you pick up an order.

On delivery orders, your tip is optional, though it’s always appreciated.

2. Problem-Reporting Windows

Food Lion gives you up to 7 days after delivery to report a problem with an online order.

If the expiration date printed on the product comes sooner, that date is your deadline.

For a full refund, you have 48 hours from delivery to notify Customer Care.

For alcohol, the driver must be notified at the time of delivery.

Food Lion may ask you to return a product before it issues a credit, though some exceptions may apply.

3. Substitutes and Shop & Earn

Food Lion reserves the right to swap an item on your online order for a substitute that has no Shop & Earn offer.

That applies when you’ve left substitutions turned on and your original item had an offer.

In that case, you won’t get Shop & Earn points for the substituted item.

You can manage substitutions with the toggle in your cart, or item by item underneath each product.

Your final total will reflect the price of any substituted items.

Ingredients can often vary on a substituted item, so check it carefully for any allergy concerns.

4. Bag Fees on Online Orders

Your Food Lion pickup or delivery order can carry a bag fee, depending on state and local laws.

Where no state or local ordinance requires a bag fee, Food Lion may add a taxable 10-cent charge for each bag used.

Virginia lets any city or county impose a 5-cent tax on each disposable plastic bag through a local ordinance.

Paper and reusable bags are available at a fee.

Associates are trained to minimize the number of bags, which keeps your fee as low as possible.

The number of bags used is calculated when your order is packed.

5. Baby Formula Returns

Food Lion's return policy sets separate rules for baby formula.

Without a receipt, you can exchange formula, but you can't get a refund.

The replacement has to be the identical item, meaning the same brand, flavor and size.

With a receipt, you can get a refund the way you paid, unless you paid with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Formula you bought with WIC can only be exchanged for the identical product, with or without a receipt.

6. Final-Sale Items

Gift cards in every form and lottery tickets are final sale at Food Lion.

Double-check a gift card purchase before you pay because Food Lion won't take it back.

7. Redelivery and Restocking Fees

Food Lion's help center lists a $15 redelivery fee for multiple delivery attempts.

You'll pay a $50 restocking fee if Food Lion can't deliver your order or you cancel after preparation starts.

If you cancel an order that has specially requested items, the fee for those items is 15%.

Estimated Online Totals

Food Lion says the prices and totals you see on its site and in email confirmations are estimates.

Actual weights, taxes and availability can change your final total.

The estimates don't include any applicable bottle deposits or bottle taxes.

Cart prices are guaranteed if you submit your order before the sale price expires.

Delivery or pickup has to happen within 7 calendar days of the day you placed the order.

The guarantee excludes loyalty rewards, clip coupons, manufacturer coupons and other promotions with set expiration dates.

Double Your Money Back Items

Food Lion's return policy offers a Double Your Money Back Guarantee on private brand and in-store produced items that don't meet your quality expectations.

Covered brands include Food Lion, Nature's Promise, CareOne, Etos, Limited Time Originals, Cha Ching, Always My Baby, Companion, Smart Living and Taste of Inspirations.

The policy adds that management reserves the right to limit refunds or Double Money Back Guarantees.

Fresh produce, meat, deli, bakery and dairy items carry a 100% Fresh or Double Your Money Back promise too.

Scan Guarantee Exclusions

Food Lion's Scan Guarantee applies when the price at checkout is higher than the price on the shelf tag or sign.

In that case, you get one of each unique item free.

Alcohol and tobacco are excluded in all states.

Milk is excluded in Pennsylvania and Virginia only.

For excluded items, you pay the price on the shelf tag or sign, with no free item.

Leaving Orders at Your Door

Food Lion lets you choose to have your driver leave your groceries at your door.

If you pick that option, you fully accept responsibility for your order after delivery.

That responsibility includes theft, loss, spoilage or damage from temperature.