Posted on 03/08/2020 5:56:48 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Officials over the weekend put businesses on notice, warning that price gouging on cleaning and sanitizing products would not be tolerated Published 3 hours ago • Updated 43 mins ago
A hardware store in Manhattan was fined for hiking prices on products like hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes, cleaning products popular in recent weeks to prevent or ward off the spread COVID-19.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo have both issued warnings to businesses in recent days that price gouging would be severely fined. According to de Blasio's office, stores found to be overcharging consumers will be issued a violation with a fine up to $500.
Scheman and Grant Hardware on W 38th Street in Manhattan was accused of hiking up the prices of disinfecting sprays, wipes and hand sanitizer.
"They have been fined. This is unacceptable," de Blasio said at a press conference Sunday. "Price gouging will be acted upon. This is a crisis, not a time to profit."
Scheman and Grant was closed Sunday, but a list of prices was posted on the store's door. Clorox and Lysol sprays were being sold for $20, while a three pack of wipes posted at nearly $40.
Along with the high prices, the store had a notice posted telling customers to check the prices before buying the products because the hardware store would not be accepting returns.
Cuomo also spoke to the price gouging and the business's efforts, suggesting on Saturday that the retailer tried to charge $80 for a bottle of hand sanitizer.
“I want businesses to be aware that you can lose your license because of price gouging,” the governor said. “Not only is it disrespectful, it’s also illegal. And you will be caught.”
Timeline: Tracking the Spread of COVID-19 in Tri-State
On Friday, Cuomo said he would direct AG Letitia James to investigate instances of price gouging of surgical masks and other materials. And on Saturday, Cuomo made an emergency disaster declaration which, among other things, allows the state to investigate and penalize those price gouging medical and sanitary supplies.
Out on Long Island, government officials condemned reports of widespread price gouging.
"We’ve seen this before with Sandy. Prices were raised astronomically and unfairly. Now we’re seeing this with the resources made to keep people safe from the coronavirus," said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.
To report incidents of price gouging to the New York State Attorney General’s office please call 1-800-697-1220.
Some wretch also killed DDT back in Nixon days thank you very much.
Hugo Chavez used to do the exact same thing in Venezuela.
I get 90oct ethanol-free gas at the new Royal Farms, just south of the York Galleria, or in a pinch, E10 at Weis Gas-N-Go in West York, where prices are considerably less than Rutters.
Yes, I’ll NEVER FORGET 9/11. EVER!
My friend, I work at Ace and you are wrong. Some things are higher priced, some things are lower priced. Kind of like every store in America.
Sadly Madison Hardware, no longer exists. It was THE most special place.
https://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/12/garden/treasure-laden-hangouts-for-hobbyists.html?pagewanted=all
Chlorox , I am told by someone who works there, has back stock on hand to handle 30% over normal demand. Currently the demand is up to over 300%.
The Ace store where I work is sold out of cleaner with bleach, disinfectant spray, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, alcohol, and n95 masks. Not expecting any refills until April.
As I constantly remind my customers, there is a finite supply of these items in existence at any given time. Some folks just think hand sanitizer just bubbles up from the ground.
In other words, this store didn’t wet DiBlasio’s beak.
I happened to be in Walmart the other day. Huge, mountainous displays of the items you mentioned.
Of course, this is northern Vermont/New Hampshire, with small populations. Heh.
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