Delco Store Price Gouged, Sold Disinfectant Wipes For $25: AG

BOOTHWYN, PA — A Delaware County store's alleged price gouging was shut down by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro recently, according to the AG's office.

Fresh & Easy Convenience Store, located at 3225 Chichester Boulevard in Boothwyn, agreed to enter into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance after it was found to be selling Lysol wipes for more than 20 percent of their normal cost.

The AG's office got a tip alleging the store was selling Lysol cleaning wipes for $25. After the office issued a cease and desist letter to the store and conducted an investigation, it was determined that Fresh & Easy sold Lysol wipes for $8.99 and $14.99, depending on the size.

The Assurance of Voluntary Compliance requires Fresh & Easy Convenience Store to pay $600 in civil penalties, in addition to restitution of $119.88 for consumers who purchased the Lysol wipes.

The owner of Fresh & Easy told Patch customers brought up the price issue and removed the wipes from the store even before the Attorney General's office notified them of the violation.

He said despite this, he has given about 400 masks to the local fire department, customers, and more during the coronavirus.

Fresh & Easy also agreed to fully comply with all provisions of the Pennsylvania Consumer Protection Law and Price Gouging Act moving forward.

Consumers who purchased Lysol wipes from Fresh & Easy may be eligible for restitution if they paid more than they should have. To be considered for restitution, consumers should file a consumer complaint form, available online here, and attach a copy of their receipt showing they purchased the Lysol wipes between March 6 and May 5.

Complaints must be submitted by July 6, to be considered.

"As we continue to confront COVID-19 merchants must obey the law: you cannot jack up prices and rip consumers off in a crisis," Shapiro said. "In Pennsylvania you have a right to buy life-saving goods at reasonable prices during this emergency. If you see suspicious price increases on products like groceries and medicine, I’m asking you to reach out to my office."

Under the Price Gouging Act, a price increase of more than 20 percent during a declared state of emergency is considered price gouging.

The AG's office has received 4,660 price gouging tips and issued 416 cease-and-desist letters since opening the pricegouging@attorneygeneral.gov tipline in March.

Patch has reached out to Fresh & Easy for more information and will update the story when additional details are made available.