Overpricing of essential goods in New York: where to complain and how to punish violators
'09.02.2021'
Vita Popova
Manipulating prices is not only immoral, but also illegal, officials say. Those who fall victim to overpriced essentials are encouraged to file a complaint with the New York City Department of Consumer and Employee Protection.
Price manipulation
The New York City Department of Consumer and Workers' Rights Protection (DCWP) regularly takes legal action against violators for deliberately raising the prices of essential goods, which in New York include not only food, but also remedies against coronavirus.
Violators have to pay tens of thousands of dollars in fines.
“Price manipulation is not just immoral, it is illegal. We will not tolerate price manipulation, ”said DCWP CEO Lorelei Salas. She added that it is shameful when businesses try to make money by deliberately raising prices during a public health crisis.
“If you have been charged too high a price, we urge you to file a complaint by calling 311,” she told New Yorkers.
How DCWP controls prices
The department is actively inspecting stores based on consumer complaints. Enterprises found to be 10% or more higher in consumer prices for any product or service needed to prevent / limit the distribution / treatment of COVID-19 are considered violators.
The list of such products includes: disinfectants and cleaning products, soap, diagnostic products and services, as well as medicines.
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The penalty for intentional price increases can be up to $ 500 for each product or service that has been overpriced.
If businesses themselves are forced to pay more for the purchase of this product, they must provide evidence to DCWP, and any increase in price should be comparable.
Where to go if you think that you have overpaid
Over-priced purchasers may make a complaint https://www.izakayasushilounge.com nyc.gov/dcwp or by calling 311. If you think that you bought the goods at an inflated price, save the receipt of payment and any information about the store in which the purchase took place.
As a reminder, on March 15, 2020, an emergency rule was enacted in accordance with the city's consumer protection law, which makes it illegal to manipulate the prices of goods and services necessary to prevent or restrict the spread / treatment of COVID-19.
Learn more about DCWP you can by calling 311 by visiting the site nyc.gov/dcwp or department pages on social networks: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
