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Walmart price gouging Caresour Wipes
(Photo Credit: Walmart.com)

At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Walmart in San Luis Obispo County was selling disinfecting wipes to customers for almost $20. Now, that price gouging is coming back to bite the company.

This week, the retail giant agreed to pay $9,000 to settle the claims of price gouging – which violates California law — levelled at it by the San Luis Obispo County district attorney’s office, Law360 reports.

Between May and June 2020, Walmart violated a state executive that put a 50 percent markup limit on certain medical and emergency supplies to stop price-gouging by selling the wipes for $18.99 to $19.99, the district attorney’s office said.

Under the executive order, retailers could not sell face masks, gloves, or disinfectants that they had not previously sold before Feb. 4, 2020, for “an unconscionably excessive price,” defined as more than 50 percent more than what the business had paid for them, Law360 reports.

The product in question is the “Caresour W-075 75% Alcohol disinfecting wipes (50 pack),” according to the Walmart price-gouging class action lawsuit.

After customers complained about the situation and Walmart was contacted by the district attorney’s office, it removed the wipes from its online store and gave customers across California a full refund, the district attorney’s office said.

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Ginger E. Garrett ordered Walmart to pay a civil penalty of $1,500 and $7,500 for the investigation and litigation costs as part of the settlement.

“Protecting consumers in San Luis Obispo County increases the public’s trust in local business and fosters a level playing field for businesses in our community and beyond,” District Attorney Dan Dow said in a statement.

“This important settlement sends a strong message that we are looking out for everyone who lives in our community.”

A spokesperson for Walmart told Law360 that it took action as soon as the pricing matter came to the company’s attention and that the company was pleased it could resolve the case with the district attorney’s office.

Walmart isn’t the only company that has faced legal action for price-gouging during the pandemic. This month, 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.  

“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.” 

Did you pay more for any household or medical supplies during the pandemic? Let us know your experience in the comments section!

California is represented in the instant case by Dan Dow and Kenneth Jorgensen of the Office of the District Attorney, County of San Luis Obispo.

Walmart is represented by Peter I. Altman of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.

The Walmart Price-Gouging Class Action Lawsuit is The People of the State of California v. Walmart Stores Inc., Case No. 21CV-0390, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo.


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83 thoughts onWalmart Ordered to Pay $9K for Price-Gouging Disinfecting Wipes Amidst Pandemic

  1. Ranita Reed says:

    I was recently affected by the unfair price gouging from Walmart

  2. Jay says:

    I was recently affected by the unfair price gouging from Walmart. However, I don’t live in San Luis Obispo County – but do live in California if that makes any difference.

    1. Andrew Millwee says:

      I bought a Xbox x from Walmart online when they first came out. The price on the sticker inside of my local Walmart said it was $499.99. They weren’t available in store but they were available online. The price I had to pay online was $1,299.99. I felt it was really unfair but I didn’t want to ruin Christmas for the kids and grandkids so I went ahead with the purchase.

  3. Theresa says:

    Yes add me please!

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      ADD ME please and thanks

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