How to Read the Deli Scale
Deli scales follow a simple formula in order to calculate the weight of variable portion sizes. Once the operator places your food on the scale and accounts for the weight of the container, she will enter the price per pound, and the scale will multiply the weight of your purchase by the price per pound in order to calculate the final price. Many deli scales have additional features such as printing labels and generating bar codes that track your particular item purchase between the deli and the front end cash register. As a customer, your primary concerns are the three numbers that appear on the side of the scale that is facing you. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Observe the number that appears on the left end of the scale when the deli clerk places your food portion on the scale. Because deli scales are digital, this number will appear in hundredths of a pound. One ounce equals approximately six one hundredths of a pound, so if the number on the left reads 0.24, then your portion is very close to 4 ounces, or a quarter of a pound.
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2
Watch as the deli clerk enters the number which will appear on the middle portion of the scale. This represents the price per pound of the item you have chosen.
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3
Read the number on your right, which appears after the clerk has placed your item on the scale and entered the price per pound. The scale has calculated this number by multiplying the digital weight of your purchase by the price per pound. This number represents the final cost of your food.
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