DISPUTE'S BOTTOM LINE -7 CENTS.(Business)

Byline: Joann Muller Knight-Ridder

A 71-year-old woman is taking Michigan's largest grocery chain to court over a 7 cent pricing error that's become a cause celebre among consumer groups.

Evelyn Hoff, of Madison Heights, Mich., is suing the Farmer Jack chain over a claim that she was overcharged 7 cents for a frozen spaghetti dinner and that the store did not pay her a $1 penalty prescribed under state law.

Consumer groups see Hoff as a test case, a representative for many people who have legitimate claims but do not pursue them.

About 15 to 20 consumer groups have decided to form a war council to deal with this and other issues, said …