Consumer Services

How to File a Price Gouging Complaint

If you believe that you may you have witnessed or been a victim of price gouging, it is important for you to report any vendor(s) whose prices unreasonably exceed those ordinarily charged for comparable goods and services in the same market area at the time of a declared emergency. However, it is also important for you to obtain as much information as possible regarding the item(s) in question.

The following information greatly assists in having your claim thoroughly investigated:

• Business name and location
• Date of occurrence
• Price before emergency
• Price after/during emergency
• Copy of receipt (if purchase was made)
• Specific description of the overpriced item (model number, size, quantity, packaging, etc.)

When reporting price gouging, the difference is in the details, especially regarding the description of the item.  The more information that you can provide regarding the particular item in question, the more likely it will be thoroughly investigated.  Providing a specific model or stock number is the best way for investigators to identify and investigate the item being reported.  If you can not provide a model or stock number, a detailed description is the next best alternative.

For example, someone reporting that a particular merchant is price gouging on “sheets of plywood” is a somewhat vague statement. The reason is that there are numerous widths and grades of plywood. The price of ¾ inch, treated plywood will be two (2) to three (3) times more than that of  ¼ inch, untreated plywood. When considering whether price gouging occurred when plywood was purchased, the width and grade must be considered in making a determination.  The same holds true for other commodities as well.

To report price gouging, gather the important information listed above and contact the Miami-Dade County Consumer Services Department Mediation Center via telephone at (305) 375-3677, email at consumer@miamidade.gov, or our website.