(WWJ) -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sent a cease and desist letter to Menards Tuesday, saying the home improvement and hardware retailer has been price gouging supplies amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Nessel says her office has received 18 complaints in recent days that Menards has raised prices on bleach and face masks, which people have been buying in bulk due to COVID-19 concerns.
"Investigators from the Attorney General's office have found that Menards appears to be exploiting public fear about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) through a systematic effort of raising prices. Investigators discovered the store last week doubled the price of cleaning products like bleach and significantly raised the price of face masks while tying their purchase to an in-store rebate," Nessel's office said in a press release.
Menards has 10 days to respond to Nessel's letter, or the attorney general's office will further investigate the matter and "potentially take legal action." Menards and the state could also agree to an assurance of voluntary compliance according to the AG's office.
Nessel's letter took aim at Menards' decades-old jingle: "Save big money at Menards."
"In short, the actions of Menards this past week are unacceptable. In this very unique moment, we are hopeful that Menards will immediately change course and renew its commitment to the jingle it has worked so hard to brand into the consciousness of Michigan consumers."
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As of Tuesday morning, the attorney general's office has received more than 350 complaints of price gouging, with roughly 80 percent of those complaints coming in since 1 p.m. Friday.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Sunday prohibiting stores from price gouging.
Due to the high number of complaints related to COVID-19, Attorney General Nessel has extended hours of operation for her Consumer Protection intake team, making phonelines available until 11 p.m. today. (Note: The consumer tip line is generally open between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.)
Retailers may be in violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act if they are:
- Charging the consumer a price that is grossly in excess of the price at which similar property or services are sold; and
- Causing coercion and duress as the result of the time and nature of a sales presentation.
Michigan residents are urged to report any violation of the Consumer Protection Act online or by calling 877-765-8388.
Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for around-the-clock coverage of the coronavirus pandemic in Michigan. >>> LISTEN LIVE!
