Are You a Victim of Price Gouging?

Consumers all over the United States are complaining that vendors on sites like Ebay, Amazon, and Craigslist are victims of price gouging on important products needed during the COVID19 pandemic.

We have filed suit against Ebay for price gouging. If you are a victim of price gouging, please contact us at 305-912-3000, and leave us a message, and one of our attorneys will contact you. Sonn Law Group represents consumer and investors in class action and individual cases, nationwide.

When disaster strikes, whether it’s a Category 5 hurricane, a virus pandemic, or an uncontrollable wildfire, consumers are left scrambling for basic necessities such as masks, sanitizer, toilet paper, drinking water and medical supplies. When retailers take advantage of these spikes in demand (often coupled with supply bottlenecks) by charging exorbitant prices for necessities, it’s referred to as “price gouging.”

In many states, price gouging during a time of emergency is considered a violation of many states’ unfair or deceptive trade practices law. Most of these laws provide for civil penalties, in civil actions, and as enforced by the state attorney general, while some state laws also enforce criminal penalties for price gouging violations.

The definition of “excessive” or “unconscionable” pricing is generally determined by looking at average prices in the affected area over a given look-back period prior to the emergency, typically six months or so. If prices are 10 or 15 percent higher (some states have different thresholds), then it may be determined that price gouging has occurred.