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There are several complaints being filed against a group of stores in Michigan by consumers over alleged price gouging during the coronavirus outbreak.
The complaints are being delivered to The Better Business Bureau and the state's attorney general's office over alleged price gouging of hand sanitizer and face masks. The price gouges come during the COVID-19 outbreak when cleaning supplies are flying off shelves.
Since the outbreak, price gouges have been seen anywhere from 50% to a 900% markup on normally low-priced products, Assistant Attorney General Joe Potchen said during a March 15 press conference.
Since the markup has occurred, a new executive order has been signed declaring stores are not allowed a 20% markup on price from what the product was as of March 9. This executive order was signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Sunday.
The new executive order also makes price gouging a crime. Under the Consumer Protection Act, only civil penalties are available.
If the attorney general's office receives a complaint against a business, it has 24 hours to review the complaint.
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