A recent Amazon class action lawsuit accuses the online retailer of charging excessive prices for basic goods such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer in the wake of the coronavirus.
Plaintiff Stephanie Armas, a Florida resident, says she took to Amazon in an attempt to stock up on supplies in the face of the spreading novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
As a mother of five, Armas says she wanted to purchase toilet paper and hand sanitizer for her family, but was charged “grossly unconscionable” prices for these goods.
Amazon allegedly charged Armas $99 for a 36-pack of toilet paper and $199 for a two-pack of 1 liter hand sanitizer bottles.
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Armas argues these prices are far more what is usually charged, with toilet paper typically selling for around $1 a roll and hand sanitizer selling for between $7 and $8 per liter.
“COVID-19’s rapid spread and the very real threat of a widespread quarantine, have caused a run on various personal hygiene products, such as disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer and toilet paper,” the Amazon class action lawsuit notes.
“Unfortunately, retailers, such as [Amazon], are preying upon the public’s fear of a surging epidemic and using COVID-19 as an opportunity to pad profits by way of unlawful price increases.”
COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China and has quickly grown to be a global pandemic due to its virulence. At the time of Armas’ complaint, the coronavirus had spread to 104 countries around the world – resulting in more than 109,000 confirmed cases and over 3,800 deaths. By Feb. 28, the CDC confirmed the virus reached the United States.
Armas argues that Amazon’s exorbitant prices are not only unreasonable but are also illegal under Florida law, considering the state of emergency.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reportedly declared a state of emergency on March 9 in the face of the outbreak. The declaration aimed “to create a unified command structure […] and allows, if need be, out of state medical personnel to operate in Florida.”
Armas argues this state of emergency declaration also added protections from consumers based on Florida law. Under the state’s laws, retailers are not allowed to charge unconscionable prices for goods or services in the wake of a declared state of emergency.
The plaintiff says Amazon has violated these laws by charging unreasonable prices for hygienic products such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
Armas seeks to represent a Class of Florida consumers who purchased hygienic products from Amazon after a state of emergency was declared in Florida on March 9. On behalf of herself and the proposed Class, Armas seeks actual damages, statutory damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.
Plaintiff and the proposed Class are represented by J. Alfredo Armas, Francesco A. Zincone and Eduardo E. Bertran of Armas Bertran Pieri.
The Amazon Coronavirus Class Action Lawsuit is Armas v. Amazon.com Inc., Case No. 104631782, in the Eleventh Circuit Court in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida.
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493 thoughts onAmazon Class Action Alleges Coronavirus Price Gouging
I saw that Amazon was price gouging when I went online to order Purrell hand sanitizers. The price was $55.00 for 2 8 oz. bottles. I can’t pay although I needed it! I am buying other products from them ie. , wet wipes. I buy from them all the time.
Price gouging
Still Amazon is not taking down sellers who do price gouging, it’s a shame that people are deprived of essentials and taken advantage of in a situation like this. Not only Amazon should be held liable but the sellers should be permanently removed from selling on Amazon.
Hand sanitizer with alcohol and wipes with alcohol (Purell, etc). Prices were sky high! EBay too! I bought lots of supplies and spend hundreds.
Me too. I bought hand sanitizer from 2 sellers for over $20 and it turned out to be the tiny 2 oz size. So annoying. I wanted to return it but felt I had no option but to keep it as I have a high risk son.
Add me
Please add me.
I sent an email to Amazo customer service & they basically didn’t care. They wanted me to individually list EVERY seller on their site who was doing it & the product ID #. I didn’t have time to do their job. This is happening on ebay also & they don’t care either!! It is insane. $50 for a can of Lysol. $135 for 6 tubs of Lysol wipes with 2 days left. When I emailed the seller-they stated pretty much that it wasn’t ‘their’ fault after explaining anti trust laws & creating a monopoly for high prices!!
This Coronavirus has got everyone so out of place that people are making “Poor Judgment Calls”, and taking advantage of society!! Toilet Paper is one of many that all these sellers are trying to get away with by charging “HIGH” prices for, and the buyers are falling for it thinking that they do not have a choice. S-A-D!!! I’m Opting In on this “Top Class Action” to try to make a change!!!
You think that’s high. Look at this when I was looking for items. I have a photo where 48 rolls of Northern TP was 699.99 plus 89.00 shipping. I know it isn’t amazon selling it but it is amazons responsibility to know what and how much people are selling items for on their site under the amazon name.