DETROIT (WWJ) - One thing Michigan residents certainly aren't staying quiet about during this coronavirus pandemic is price-gouging at their local businesses.
Attorney General Dana Nessel says her Consumer Protection intake team received 1,053 price-gouging complaints related to COVID-19 by 5 p.m. Thursday. That's up from 75 as of March 13.
Typically, complaints are received through an online form. However, the Consumer Protection intake team has taken 608 price-gouging complaints by telephone since 11 a.m. Monday, when the phone lines were established. There have been 445 electronically submitted complaints related to price-gouging in roughly the past two weeks.
"Businesses should know by now that this public health emergency is not a free pass to jack up prices," Nessel said in a statement. "Again, I encourage consumers to continue submitting complaints to my office so we can investigate and enforce Gov. Whitmer's executive order and the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. This state has rules in place to protect people against price-gouging, and I will use any tool I have at my disposal to hold accountable those who disregard our laws."
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order Sunday to specifically address price-gouging related to COVID-19. That order, in part, states no business or person can sell products grossly in excess of the purchase price at which they bought the product. It also says products cannot be sold or offered at a price that's more than 20 percent higher than what it was listed as of March 9, 2020 – unless the seller can justify the higher price due to an increase in the cost of bringing the product to market.
Meanwhile, legislation introduced in the Michigan Senate by Sens. Moss and Ruth Johnson, and in the Michigan House by Reps. Pohutsky and Mike Mueller would create additional tools for investigators to rein in price-gouging. The bipartisan bills would add price-gouging protections during an emergency declaration or market disruption. Nessel recently stated her support for the legislation.
Michigan residents are urged to report any violation of the Consumer Protection Act online or by calling 877-765-8388. To allow for more efficient response by the Attorney General's office, consumers are urged to file complaints online.
