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A class action lawsuit accusing Amazon of marking up necessary household items by more than 1,000 percent has been expanded to include a nationwide class of shoppers who allegedly paid more during the coronavirus pandemic.
Filed in Washington federal court last week, lead plaintiffs Alvin Greenberg, Michael Steinberg, and Julie Hanson say that online retail giant Amazon took advantage of consumers following “stay at home” orders and public health guidance. The plaintiffs accuse Amazon of “leveraging a pandemic to profit unfairly off consumers in real need” with “flagrantly unlawful” price increases.
“While Amazon has provided needed services during the pandemic, this does not place it above the law,” states the class action lawsuit. “Like every seller, Amazon has a legal obligation under Washington (and other) laws to ensure that its pricing does not exploit consumers facing emergency conditions.”
The class action lawsuit points to several examples of steep price increases for household items documented on Amazon from before the start of the pandemic until after COVID-19 was declared a nationwide public health emergency:
- Face Masks: Increases up to 1,800 percent, from $4.21 to $79.99
- Disinfectant Wipes: Increases of more than 745 percent, from $20.71 to $174.96
- Cold Remedies: Increases up to 1,523 percent, from $4.65 to $79.00
- Toilet Paper: Increases up to 1,044 percent, from $17.48 to $200
The plaintiffs claim that price gouging occurred on Amazon for food staples as well:
- Black Beans: Increases up to 521 percent, from $3.54 to $21.99
- Baking Soda: Increases of more than 1,500 percent, from $3.08 to $50.00
- Flour: Increases up to 400 percent, from $22.00 to $110.00
- Yeast: Increases up to 625 percent, from $7.02 to $50.95
The class action lawsuit points out that Amazon sales broke records in some categories during the COVID-19 pandemic, skyrocketing the company’s profits. The founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, saw his personal wealth dramatically increase by $205 million per day during 2020.
Amazon’s exponential profits during the pandemic stand in contrast to the majority of American consumers facing emergency financial and health conditions during the same time. The plaintiffs say Amazon’s price gouging during 2020 was not only immoral, it was illegal.
The class action lawsuit alleges that Amazon violated Washington’s anti-price gouging laws. In addition, the plaintiffs say that the international retailer could have better prepared for and dealt with price gouging on its website. Amazon’s failure to do so amounts to negligence and unjust enrichment, they say.
The plaintiffs want to represent other consumers nationwide who paid higher prices on Amazon.com during the pandemic. They are seeking damages and a court order putting a stop to the price gouging.
This is not the first class action lawsuit filed that accuses Amazon of price gouging. The company is fighting a price gouging class action lawsuit in California. In addition, a Florida mother claims Amazon charged her $99 for 36 rolls of toilet paper and $199 for two bottles of hand sanitizer.
Did you pay more during COVID-19? Were you a victim of price gouging on Amazon? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below.
The plaintiffs are represented by Ben Harrington, Benjamin Siegel, and Steve W. Berman of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP.
The Amazon Price Gouging Class Action Lawsuit is Greenberg, et al. v. Amazon.com, Inc., Case No. 2:21-cv-00898 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle.
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846 thoughts onAmazon COVID-19 Price Gouging Class Action Lawsuit To Represent Shoppers Nationwide
Please add me everything from toilet paper, Tylenol and rubber gloves went up in price some by double or triple!
I couldn’t afford the prices. So I could not purchase anything on Amazon.
Please Add me I knew prices on amazon were being adjusted daily for prices increases related to the pandemic. I bought many things when we were on lockdown or on stay at home orders.
-Freddy
Please add me
Please add me. I feel as consumers we have been taken advantage of by companies such as Amazon. They blame it on the pandemic and consumers are scammed put of their hard earned monies
Add me , I’m already financially hurting due to the pandemic, but I used amazon consistently I thought that there prizes seemed suspicious.
Hi I also shopped at Amazon during the Covid it was easy and convenient I was at home I did order masks gloves surgical gloves and I couldn’t believe the price I have an account and therefore the items are still on the list with the price!! Shame on Amazon one of the richest company in the world and this is how you treat your customers during Covid when people are dying and the only thing you think about its money that’s horrible!! Please add me to this class action lawsuit thank you very much….
I had subscriptions for cases of toilet paper b4, during,& after covid. My normal $18 box went to around $40!! And I bought a small pkg of N95 mask just B4 shutdowns (knew it was coming),$22, during shutdowns $78!! I have my account so there’s proof! Plz add!
Please add me to the Amazon price scandal class action. When covid hit, i was already a 90% anazon shopper. I own no vehicle and suffer from social anxiety, so o line shopping is a must. I have to do amazon! Walmart and kroger online just sold out! I was forced into amazon prices. I had to get my masks, sanitizer, and even some food there! It was horrible how fast my monthly disability check was gone. It was a nightmare how amazon cheted us and then tried to hide it. We deserve compensation. My name is Freeflying G. from KY and i want in.
Please add me. I had orders canceled by Amazon during the pandemic that were on backorder … after waiting for months they abruptly canceled my order against my instructions. My order was locked in at a lower price while I waited, so once public demand increased, they cancelled it and resold it at a higher price. I called their customer service and they would not do anything.