The Office of the Attorney General just sent out a press release warning against storm-related price gouging.
Attorney General Jack Conway is putting Kentucky retailers on notice that price gouging will not be tolerated during times of emergency. Governor Beshear signed an executive order yesterday declaring a state of emergency in the wake of the winter storm that has left dozens of Kentucky communities blanketed in snow and ice and tens of thousands without power. Today, General Conway asked Gov. Beshear for an emergency order that will also implement Kentucky’s price gouging laws.
“I have made it clear that I will not tolerate unscrupulous retailers who seek excessive profits during emergency situations. Those who have fallen victim to this storm should not be victimized again by predatory pricing,” General Conway said.
Governor Beshear declared a state of emergency which triggers several consumer protection measures that remain in place for 30 days. The big one gives Attorney General Jack Conway the power to investigate and prosecute those who gouge prices on: gasoline, generators, building supplies, chain saws, hotel rooms and other necessary goods and services.
And wouldn’t you know it? We’re already receiving reports of gas price gouging. Check out the photo of this Wal-Mart at Bardstown Road & I-265 in Louisville charging $4.89 per gallon:
CLICK TO ENLARGE
General Conway encourages anyone with specific information regarding possible price gouging to contact the Office of the Attorney General at 1-888-432-9257 or to email icestormcomplaints@ag.ky.gov.
If you snap photographs, send them our way!
P.S. 473,000 people in Kentucky without power for next several days, according to the Public Service Commission as of noon eastern time today.
6 responses so far ↓
1 junction jack // Jan 28, 2009 at 2:54 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHA! Dumb arses. Seriously, what’s the convo there?
Idiot 1: “What should we do?”
Idiot 2: “Raise the prices!”
Idiot 1: “Let’s not make it obvious”
Idiot 2: “Yeah, make it three bucks – if we went ten then everyone would know!”
2 Bob // Jan 28, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Consumers can help handle the criminals by boycotting–both Pilot (fined earlier for its crookedness) and Wal-Mart. And I don’t mean just Wal-Mart’s gas pumps–everything. There are in it for our money–don’t let them have any of it. No need to wait for state action, lawsuits, etc.–just don’t buy from the crooks.
3 David Adams // Jan 28, 2009 at 4:01 pm
“Predatory pricing” doesn’t mean what Jack Conway thinks it means.
4 Crutnacker // Jan 28, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Wal-Mart will probably be spanking Murphy Oil shortly.
5 J. R. // Jan 29, 2009 at 8:55 am
You’re right, David. Preditory pricing is when retailers price items in a way to undercut competition (I believe it’s selling them for less than the cost), in order to drive them out of business. Kind of like what Wal-Mart has been accused of before.
6 E // Jan 29, 2009 at 10:10 am
Yeah Bob…I think I’ll boycott WalMart…you wouldn’t happen to know where I can get some jeans for work…for $8 do you?
Hang onto your money, and they’ll hang onto their food, dry goods, and fuel…it’ll be interesting to see who caves in first.
In the unlikely event your suggestion would be put into play, please remain available to explain to all of the people to be laid off, how your plan is for the greater good.
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