Price gouging - coronavirus

gmisk · 13-03-2020 4:27pm #1

Are we allowed to post here naming and shaming price gouging in relation to the coronavirus or is it outside of the rules?

Chemist in town just tried to charge me 28 euro for three plastic travel bottles of 70 percent alcohol...can I name and shame?

Any other people with more examples?

grayzer75 · 13-03-2020 4:28pm

gmisk wrote: »

Are we allowed to post here naming and shaming price gouging in relation to the coronavirus or is it outside of the rules?

Chemist in town just tried to charge me 28 euro for three plastic travel bottles of 70 percent alcohol...can I name and shame?

Any other people with more examples?

I'd guess its and say its Hickey's?

Feisar · 13-03-2020 4:29pm

To be fair they may be getting gouged by suppliers.

Fr_Dougal · 13-03-2020 4:33pm

gmisk wrote: »

Are we allowed to post here naming and shaming price gouging in relation to the coronavirus or is it outside of the rules?

Chemist in town just tried to charge me 28 euro for three plastic travel bottles of 70 percent alcohol...can I name and shame?

Any other people with more examples?

Wait, did you actually pay them €28?

gmisk · 13-03-2020 4:34pm

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

Wait, did you actually pay them €28?

No I didn't but couple of people in front of me did and they had sold tonnes...

gmisk · 13-03-2020 4:36pm

grayzer75 wrote: »

I'd guess its and say its Hickey's?

Nope Clare street medical/prices medical hall on Nassau street....the robbing feckers!

Rufeo · 13-03-2020 4:40pm

I suppose it's supply and demand. Retailers are crafty enough to capitalize on the panic.

Seriously, just buy some soap. You can always go asian style for washing after going for a number 2. Man, there's absolutely no need for anyone to panic.

But please name and shame..it will hell ppl avoid such pricing tactics

James Brown · 13-03-2020 5:52pm

It's not like hotels upping prices because the Rugby is on it's profiteering on an emergency situation. It's not okay.

Tony EH · 13-03-2020 7:08pm

Rufeo wrote: »

I suppose it's supply and demand.

No. It's just cunts.

Rufeo wrote: »

Seriously, just buy some soap.

Bingo. Does the same job. Probably better.

gmisk · 14-03-2020 12:19pm

Tony EH wrote: »

No. It's just cunts.

Bingo. Does the same job. Probably better.

Yeah soap is perfect but on the go hand sanitizer is so handy...I can't bring sink with me on commute on bus to work

rob316 · 14-03-2020 12:25pm

I'm in the industry, manufacturers and wholesalers are gouging. The same product that cost X before this hasn't risen, if anything it should go down due to volume.

A hygiene wholesaler asked us to bid on a pallet of 1000 x 500ml hand sanitizer bottles on Thursday, we put in a bid per unit that would be about 300% higher than the usual price and we didn't get close to the final price it went for.

Harry Palmr · 14-03-2020 12:27pm

Buy a bottle of TCP, a liquid so unfashionable and smelly it's probably more available.

suicide_circus · 14-03-2020 2:06pm

anyone profiteering from this crisis should be treated like looters - shot on sight.

Pinch Flat · 14-03-2020 4:14pm

Saw a WhatsApp message last night about supervalu gouging on pasta. .94c/kg pre corona virus to €4.98 / kg when restocked . Same brand. The same feckers telling us there won't be food shortages. But people will be shafted from profiteering.

Del2005 · 14-03-2020 4:19pm

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Saw a WhatsApp message last night about supervalu gouging on pasta. .94c/kg pre corona virus to €4.98 / kg when restocked . Same brand. The same feckers telling us there won't be food shortages. But people will be shafted from profiteering.

The only reason why there's shortages is because of people hoarding. Why are retailers not allowed do what hotels, airlines, Uber have been doing for years?

ednwireland · 14-03-2020 4:24pm

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Saw a WhatsApp message last night about supervalu gouging on pasta. .94c/kg pre corona virus to €4.98 / kg when restocked . Same brand. The same feckers telling us there won't be food shortages. But people will be shafted from profiteering.

are you sure its not just that their organic pasta is the only one left (which is normally that price ? ):rolleyes:

EmmetSpiceland · 14-03-2020 4:27pm

Bobby Kerr had another lad from the petrol “lobby” explaining why the pricing is “complicated” and won’t be dropping down with the dip in oil pricing.

A number of “factors”. Very complicated. Two thirds of the prices goes on tax, you know?

utyh2ikcq9z76b · 14-03-2020 4:30pm

suicide_circus wrote: »

anyone profiteering from this crisis should be treated like looters - shot on sight.

We don't treat looters like that

micks_address · 14-03-2020 4:31pm

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Bobby Kerr had another lad from the petrol “lobby” explaining why the pricing is “complicated” and won’t be dropping down with the dip in oil pricing.

A number of “factors”. Very complicated. Two thirds of the prices goes on tax, you know?

Ten cents is a pretty good start on petrol. I definitely noticed when filling today. Saved about a fiver on the fill.

punisher5112 · 14-03-2020 4:36pm

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Bobby Kerr had another lad from the petrol “lobby” explaining why the pricing is “complicated” and won’t be dropping down with the dip in oil pricing.

A number of “factors”. Very complicated. Two thirds of the prices goes on tax, you know?

I paid €1.33.9 the other day for diesel just passed its now €1.22.9

ted1 · 14-03-2020 4:36pm

Del2005 wrote: »

The only reason why there's shortages is because of people hoarding. Why are retailers not allowed do what hotels, airlines, Uber have been doing for years?

Supply and demand is fair enough basis for an economy.

But when there is a national emergency with the country shutting schools, putting together a 3.4 Billion budget together and so on, profiteering an a product such as disinfectant is morally and ethically wrong

Hotels, restaurants and Uber and luxury indulgence and not critically to life

EmmetSpiceland · 14-03-2020 4:43pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

I paid €1.33.9 the other day for diesel just passed its now €1.22.9

The guy on Pat Kenny, the other day, said we wouldn’t be seeing it drop back down to €1.20, even though the price per barrel is where it wasn’t when it was last that low.

Some people texted in saying their local garage had dropped their price accordingly. I’m guessing some will play ball and others will toe the “party” line.

defrule · 14-03-2020 4:48pm

Is there no watch dog?

ressem · 14-03-2020 4:48pm

The likes of Unilever are saying that they can't supply any more Isopropyl alcohol, manufacturers across europe with any sort of filling line capability are throwing alcohol, perfume, a thickener (to cause it to gel) and a bottle together.

Using dishwashing liquid will work, but really should be rinsed off as a second step of the cleaning process. Harsh on the hands but better than nothing.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/washing-up-liquid-coronavirus_uk_5e68fbdec5b68d61645e69d9 wrote:

When you’re cleaning your hands, Dr Edwards recommends doing it thoroughly – “with any soap or detergent, as long as it’s safe for hands” – to properly remove any bugs or virus. “Soap and detergent are quite good at killing the virus, but it’s mostly about removing the virus from your hands [so rinsing it down the sink], rather than killing it,” he explains.

Professor Sally Bloomfield, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, also stresses that rinsing the soap off properly is really important as it helps wash away the virus.

If you don’t have a sink and running clean water, use alcohol hand gel. “This stays on your hands long enough for the high percentage of alcohol to directly kill the virus without washing it away,” he explains. “Alcohol alone can just run away, and it’s harsh on the hands, but gel stays there.”

Odyssey 2005 · 14-03-2020 5:01pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

I paid €1.33.9 the other day for diesel just passed its now €1.22.9

Today

Graces7 · 14-03-2020 5:11pm

ednwireland wrote: »

are you sure its not just that their organic pasta is the only one left (which is normally that price ? ):rolleyes:

Of course that is it! Some folk need....

Xenji · 14-03-2020 6:14pm

18.00 Euro for a 500ml bottle of hand sanitizer in Castlebar.

This is it · 14-03-2020 6:21pm

Xenji wrote: »

18.00 Euro for a 500ml bottle of hand sanitizer in Castlebar.

Yep. €15.00 for this, not sure how much it'd normally be.

Danno · 14-03-2020 6:30pm

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Bobby Kerr had another lad from the petrol “lobby” explaining why the pricing is “complicated” and won’t be dropping down with the dip in oil pricing.

A number of “factors”. Very complicated. Two thirds of the prices goes on tax, you know?

Heard that last week on the radio. Amazing how these factors are not in play when prices go up on the world markets. :rolleyes:

Heebie · 14-03-2020 6:31pm

As long as you spell evil c-r-a-f-t-y.
Price gouging is always evil. Doing it in an emergency like this is truly insidious.

Japan has just instituted a law where price gouging on medical supplies nets you a ridiculously high fine and prison time. Maybe that's the only way to tackle it.

Danno · 14-03-2020 6:32pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

I paid €1.33.9 the other day for diesel just passed its now €1.22.9

Diesel is €1,16.9 in Johnstown NW Kilkenny just off the M8

Cantona's Collars · 14-03-2020 6:33pm

Danno wrote: »

Diesel is €1.16,9 in Johnstown NW Kilkenny just off the M8

Still at 129.9 around Enniscorthy, it's like a cartel here with maximum 1c in the difference between stations.

ted1 · 14-03-2020 6:49pm

Cantona's Collars wrote: »

Still at 129.9 around Enniscorthy, it's like a cartel here with maximum 1c in the difference between stations.

I’ve a Circle K fuel card which gives 4c off a litre. Got it for 1.26 earlier in Dublin

Del2005 · 14-03-2020 7:21pm

ted1 wrote: »

Supply and demand is fair enough basis for an economy.

But when there is a national emergency with the country shutting schools, putting together a 3.4 Billion budget together and so on, profiteering an a product such as disinfectant is morally and ethically wrong

Hotels, restaurants and Uber and luxury indulgence and not critically to life

If people weren't hoarding it there'd be no shortages. If people are buying loads of a product it's ingredients prices go up on the wholesale markets. So the panic buying is leading to the price increases, therefore it's people that are causing the prices to rise and the shortages. Why does someone need 300 rolls of bog roll, 50 bottles of hand sanitizer, 200 pack of anti bac wipes etc? Because that's why the shelves were empty. Give it a week or so and they'll all be in people's bins.

mean gene · 14-03-2020 7:24pm

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Bobby Kerr had another lad from the petrol “lobby” explaining why the pricing is “complicated” and won’t be dropping down with the dip in oil pricing.

A number of “factors”. Very complicated. Two thirds of the prices goes on tax, you know?

but it is dropping I just got unleaded in cork city for 127.9 it was 140 last week whats bobby on :P

EmmetSpiceland · 14-03-2020 7:34pm

mean gene wrote: »

but it is dropping I just got unleaded in cork city for 127.9 it was 140 last week whats bobby on :P

Long may it continue!

They had a guy on with Pat Kenny earlier in the week and then a lad on today.

Pat pointed out the price per barrel was at where it was when the price was €1.20, the guy replied that it wouldn’t go down there again due to complicated “factors”.

The lad on with Bobby was singing from the same hymn sheet. I’m annoyed now because I was paying €1.36 for diesel there on Thursday.

KevRossi · 14-03-2020 7:54pm

Fuel is usually purchased in bulk several weeks in advance, that's why the price doesn't automatically fall when the barrel price drops.

The real gouging is when they put the price of the fuel up the day the price rises internationally. They would have purchased/ordered it several weeks previously at a lower price, now they are just flogging it for the max that they can get.

And as someone said above, local cartel's do operate. I know someone with a garage in a town in the west where the next stations are well over 10Km away and the three stations charge the exact same, usually 5c above any other place. He's admitted to me after a few pints that they have 'an arrangement' with each other.

Happy4all · 14-03-2020 7:57pm

gmisk wrote: »

Are we allowed to post here naming and shaming price gouging in relation to the coronavirus or is it outside of the rules?

Chemist in town just tried to charge me 28 euro for three plastic travel bottles of 70 percent alcohol...can I name and shame?

Any other people with more examples?

A know a pharmacist and it's the supplier than is putting up the cost. Your chemist and staff do a great job.

touts · 14-03-2020 8:01pm

Chemist shopn in Cahir co. Tipperary selling disposable masks for €2.99 each. They used to sell packs of 10 for around the same price. They had the brass neck to even have the pack open on the counter and a handwritten €2.99 each sign beside them.

Any bollox who price gouges the vunerable in this crisis can't be trusted after the crisis is over.

BENDYBINN · 14-03-2020 8:06pm

touts wrote: »

Chemist shopn in Cahir co. Tipperary selling disposable masks for €2.99 each. They used to sell packs of 10 for around the same price. They had the brass neck to even have the pack open on the counter and a handwritten €2.99 each sign beside them.

Any bollox who price gouges the vunerable in this crisis can't be trusted after the crisis is over.

3euro for a face mask is super value.

Mitchomagic · 14-03-2020 8:17pm

you think its bad here !!!!!

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/coronavirus/he-has-17700-bottles-of-hand-sanitizer-and-nowhere-to-sell-them/ar-BB11b9OC?ocid=ientp

anewme · 14-03-2020 8:21pm

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Saw a WhatsApp message last night about supervalu gouging on pasta. .94c/kg pre corona virus to €4.98 / kg when restocked . Same brand. The same feckers telling us there won't be food shortages. But people will be shafted from profiteering.

People should be banned from circulating what they read on WhatsApp.

Unless you experienced this gouging personally by Supervalu do you think it's responsible to say this?

Did any of you read the thread last week here on Boards, where someone passed on rumours a Restaurant relocating was not honouring vouchers.?

The Restaurant owner came onto the thread and put the poster firmly in their place. The person admitted they had heard third hand in the pub. Why they thought it was ok to post this on boards with no real facts is beyond me. It was shocking.

Businesses are going to struggle to survive. There are peoples livelihoods and staff's jobs at risk.

We need to be mindful and responsible of this.

whisky_galore · 14-03-2020 8:22pm

Pharmacies always gouged for mundane stuff.
Look at the prices they have on sunscreen, supplements and things compared to Lidl or Aldi.

kirving · 14-03-2020 9:45pm

Of course people will blame the retailer, the general public have no insight into the complexities of the hand sanitizer supply chain, a supply chain currently in crisis. Why would they?

If retailers are so upset about being accused of price gouging, they should publicise how much they're being charged by the manufacturer or distributor.

If the profit from the customers 99% of the time, I feel they do have some duty to protect their customers in more difficult times. They're the ones with the buying power that can negate price gouging by the distributors.

By that I mean, the retailer cannot and should not expect to make profit on every single product, 100% of the time. In any case, they're still making a fortune on all other staples that people are bulk buying.

duffman13 · 14-03-2020 9:49pm

Kevin Irving wrote: »

Of course people will blame the retailer, the general public have no insight into the complexities of the hand sanitizer supply chain, a supply chain currently in crisis. Why would they?

If retailers are so upset about being accused of price gouging, they should publicise how much they're being charged by the manufacturer or distributor.

If the profit from the customers 99% of the time, I feel they do have some duty to protect their customers in more difficult times. They're the ones with the buying power that can negate price gouging by the distributors.

By that I mean, the retailer cannot and should not expect to make profit on every single product, 100% of the time. In any case, they're still making a fortune on all other staples that people are bulk buying.

Working in the industry and a manufacturer wanted 3.99 last week for a 30ml hand sanitizer, moving through wholesaler then to a store your looking at a retail of 7.99. That's madness, with all the gouging discussion going on, a decision was made to leave it to someone else to buy them. I hope no one did but doubtful

ArmaniJeanss · 14-03-2020 10:08pm

Xenji wrote: »

18.00 Euro for a 500ml bottle of hand sanitizer in Castlebar.

Is this actually a bad price?
From memory the little 50ml or 60ml bottles they sell in Aldi/Lidl are about €1.29. Your bottle in Castlebar is 8 or 10 times this size. It seems ballpark OK for a pharmacy.

Del2005 · 15-03-2020 10:32am

Kevin Irving wrote: »

By that I mean, the retailer cannot and should not expect to make profit on every single product, 100% of the time. In any case, they're still making a fortune on all other staples that people are bulk buying.

If businesses don't make a profit 100% of the time they'll soon stop existing. How do they pay staff, rates, insurance, electricity etc when they don't make a profit on what they sell?

Del2005 · 15-03-2020 10:36am

whisky_galore wrote: »

Pharmacies always gouged for mundane stuff.
Look at the prices they have on sunscreen, supplements and things compared to Lidl or Aldi.

Your local pharmacy is probably buying a box of these from a wholesaler, Lidl and Aldi are buying container loads from the manufacturer. Your local pharmacy will be paying more for the item than the supermarket sells it for and they still have to make a profit to cover their expenses.

The One Doctor · 15-03-2020 12:45pm

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Saw a WhatsApp message last night about supervalu gouging on pasta. .94c/kg pre corona virus to €4.98 / kg when restocked . Same brand. The same feckers telling us there won't be food shortages. But people will be shafted from profiteering.

That's bull, it's still the same price, I checked. Believe social media at your peril.

ressem · 15-03-2020 1:45pm

BENDYBINN wrote: »

3euro for a face mask is super value.

Face masks / respirator filters are meant to trap water particles that carry the virus.

If you're reusing a face mask (intended for disposable use), you'll need to figure a way to heat it evenly at over 70 degrees for over 30 minutes between uses, to dry out the mask while de-activating the virus present.
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/3QYVWO4kj5qwuSHnhcM9uQ

(Microwaves usually don't offer sufficient control over heating and heating is uneven, time is short, plus elastic and plastic bits could catch fire.)

https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/pdf/guidelines/disinfection-guidelines-H.pdf

silver2020 · 15-03-2020 1:49pm

ednwireland wrote: »

are you sure its not just that their organic pasta is the only one left (which is normally that price ? ):rolleyes:

be careful giving normal answers that actually explain things properly - the fakebook generation don't like it - that HAVE to be in hysterics

Price gouging - coronavirus

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