$10 toilet paper? Coronavirus gouging complaints surge in US

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By REESE DUNKLIN and JUSTIN PRITCHARD

One store advertised hand sanitizer at $60 a bottle. Another was accused of hawking it at $1 a squirt. Chain stores offered $26 thermometers and face masks at the “everyday low price” of $39.95 a pair, while a convenience store touted toilet paper at $10 a roll next to a sign reading: “This is not a joke.”

Across a country where lines are long, some shelves are empty and patience is thin, authorities are receiving a surge of reports about merchants trying to cash in on the coronavirus crisis with outrageous prices, phony cures and other scams. An Associated Press survey of attorneys general or consumer protection agencies nationwide found reports already exceeded 5,000, with hundreds more arriving daily.

“Greed is a powerful motivator for some people,” said Josh Stein, the attorney general of North Carolina, where the number of reports jumped from 72 to 131 one day earlier this week. “It is inexcusable to prey on people in a vulnerable time to make a quick buck.”

AP’s 50-state survey is the most comprehensive look so far at the emerging problem. In all, 41 states responded with numbers that included both tips and formally filed complaints against mom-and-pop stores and big-box retailers alike.



This combination of March 11, 2020 photos made by investigators with the Michigan Attorney General's Office shows a $4.47 shelf price sticker for a gallon of Clorox bleach and $8.99 on a price scanner for the same item at a Menards store in Jackson, Mich. (Michigan Attorney General's Office via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/53bf1ac57c50df34336c284bfe939212

[C Moon]

1. Wow!! Bastards!

[catsudon]

2. but

life saving medicine jacked up 10000% the cost goes unpunshed in america

[Major Nikon]

6. ...

[Grokenstein]

22. Shouldn't have laughed; did.

Because it's so damn true.

You know what's NOT disappearing from shelves in my area? CANNED SOUP. Ramen? Cleaned out. But I picked up a few Campbell's Chicken Noodle and Creamy Tomato easily. Crunchy/chunky peanut butter was all gone, but they couldn't get rid of the creamy without a BOGO deal. Y'ALL CRAZY.

[BigmanPigman]

3. Can't people wash themselves with water, a wash rag and their hands.

I have to stay inside for 8 weeks and will no have TP, so that is what I will have to do. Sort of like camping, except I hate camping. I will just keep reminding myself that it isn't as bad as changing a baby's diaper. Yes, that will work. Changing a diaper defiantly would be worse. OK, I feel better now that it won't be as gross.

[VarryOn]

4. If I owned a store that sold toilet tissue....

Last edited Thu Mar 19, 2020, 07:30 PM - Edit history (1)

I think I'd keep the vast majority at the regular price, but then I'd save a few packages to sell at the hightest bidder. That way, you dont gouge most people, but then you let the market sort things out for those that are willing to play ball.

If I found myself in a pinch, I'd happily pay more.

[ET Awful]

5. Not that I don't believe the price gouging is happening, but that shelf label and the screen are not

the same product. Different SKU nos. it looks like unless I'm missing something.

[TwilightZone]

12. Nope, you're not missing anything.

Someone probably should have checked before publishing. It seems pretty obvious.

[Aussie105]

15. Both are 121 OZ

if you read the labels.

[ET Awful]

18. The SKU numbers are different meaning that the product that was scanned into the register is NOT

the same product as listed on the shelf. The volume is irrelevant. The SKU on the shelf is 6471122 the register shows 6472240.

[Sneederbunk]

7. Who do they think they are, pharmaceutical companies?

[keithbvadu2]

8. +1

[marble falls]

9. This is just what jails are for.

[TwilightZone]

10. The product code numbers are different. 647-1122 vs. 647-2240

The price on the shelf might be for a smaller size. Hence, the different numbers and prices.

[keithbvadu2]

11. Keep your tp safe. It's valuable.

Keep your tp safe. It's valuable.

https://i.imgur.com/Snn2tbA.mp4

[Mr.Bill]

13. There are laws against this in many states.

[Aussie105]

14. Methods for conserving toilet paper:

1. Number every square on a roll.
Keep a record of use after each person uses the toilet.
Identify the biggest users.
Lecture them severely.
Also: record on a calendar when you put a new one on, and work out how long it lasts.
Multiply number of days by your TP hoard, and get a good idea of how long it will last.

2. Visitors must bring their own. Remove yours before they go in.

3. Don't use any. Have a shower afterwards.

4. Study your dogs' behaviour. They get by without toilet paper quite well.

5. Visit rest rooms in local shopping malls, fast food places. Check TP is available before you sit down. Steal as much as you can. Bad luck when it runs out, this is WAR!

6. Buy baby bum wipes. Clear the shelves!

7. Rest assured that if you are holed up, when your 4 weeks' worth of food runs out, your use of TP will decrease markedly. Most of your six months' worth of TP will go unused.

Methods that DON'T work:

1. Putting used toilet paper in the washing machine to be able to reuse it. Makes a mess.

2. Visiting shops early in the day and loitering near the empty shelves in the hope they will be restocked soon.

3. Using paper napkins and hand towels as a substitute. They clog up the pipes.

[keithbvadu2]

16. 4. Study your dogs' behaviour.

[keithbvadu2]

17. 1. Keep a record of use

1. Keep a record of use

Movie - Grapes of Wrath

The migrant camp managers noticed that one area was using more tp than the others.

[Talitha]

19. On the lighter side of things...

[RealityChik]

20. Thanx for the LOL moment!

I really needed that!

A few stores in our area are rationing basics. Those have become my favorite stores.

[Talitha]

21. Cheers!

[Grokenstein]

23. Aim carefully!

And don't splash! DON'T SPLA--oh never mind

[Talitha]

26. In my best Bart Simpson voice: "I didn't do it" LOL

DH always leaves the seat up.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

31. That's the new Charmin Forever and Infinity roll, isn't it?

Definitely a step up from their basic Forever roll:

[Talitha]

34. I've no idea - - it was a "fwd: fwd: ha-ha" sent to my email.

Do you have any idea if these monsters can be purchased by us commoners? It'd have to wait till saner times to get one, but it would make a GREAT gag gift for someone I know.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

35. The Forever roll can be purchased by consumers, yes.

Thy're completely out, of course.

But Charmin is totally serious about this: they even include a tall metal stand with the 'starter' pack.

[Talitha]

36. Thanks, HKC!

[Grokenstein]

24. Obligatory:

[Baclava]

25. I would dig a hole in the yard and use a garden hose bidet before paying $10 a roll for TP

[geralmar]

27. Two miles from our house.

]

[MurrayDelph]

30. I'd like to tell him what he could do with his $60 toilet paper

But it's on the operating instructions.

[TwilightZone]

28. Menards - it's two different products.

Here are the two different products:

https://www.menards.com/main/grocery-home/housewares/laundry-care/bleach/new-clorox-reg-concentrated-bleach-121-oz/32416/p-3289655538641098-c-3608.htm

https://www.menards.com/main/grocery-home/housewares/cleaning-supplies/all-purpose-cleaners/clorox-reg-germicidal-bleach-121-oz/2489/p-1444426628918-c-7097.htm

[captain jack]

29. Toilet paper added to list of entitlements touted by Republicans. n/t

In related news:

https://grist.org/politics/koch-brothers-larry-wilmore-nightly-show/

[Steelrolled]

32. Crappy reporting - the bleach case has been debunked

it involved two different products. Details matter!

[OnDoutside]

33. Just as well Martin Shkreli is locked up !

[Brother Buzz]

37. To Hell with that, I'm gonna grow my own!