Coronavirus-Related Price Gouging Reported At 16 Wisconsin Stores

MILWAUKEE, WI — Officials at the Wisconsin Department of Consumer Protection Agency said they've issued cease and desist letters to 16 stores across the state, accusing them of price gouging during the new coronavirus public health emergency.

Everything from surgical masks, to bottled water, hand cleaner, disinfectant wipes, toilet paper and even limes were the subject of the complaints, officials said.

The agency said they received dozens of complaints, and conducted thorough price checking at more than one hundred stores across Wisconsin.

"The agency has issued cease and desist letters to 16 companies that are suspected of raising prices unlawfully during this period of economic disruption," officials said. "One such company is N95Sales.com, which engaged in suspected price gouging on N95 masks, a critical item for front-line health care workers that is in short supply in Wisconsin."

The reports of price gouging happened in 12 communities, the agency reported, with several complaints coming from Milwaukee.

“While it is not uncommon for prices to increase during times of high demand or low supply DATCP will be closely monitoring the marketplace to ensure Wisconsin consumers are being treated fairly,” said Lara Sutherlin, Administrator for the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection in a statement. “Consumers can report their concerns to DATCP’s Bureau of Consumer Protection for evaluation and follow up.”

Cease And Desist Letters Sent

Authorities sent cease-and-desist letters to these 16 stores for price gouging, officials said Wednesday.

Burlington

Menard's for lysol wipes

Cudahy

Walgreens for toilet paper

Delavan

Ace Hardware for Chlorox bleach and toilet paper

Marinette

Dollar Tree for toilet paper

Milwaukee

Asian International Market for toilet paper

El Rey Foodmart for rice, bleach, water, and limes

Restaurant Depot for toliet paper and cookies

Walmart for toilet paper

C&S Supermarket for rice

Cermak for pinto beans and watermelon

Oak Creek

Pacific Produce for rice

Online

Grainger for surgical masks

N95Sales.com for N95 masks

Menards for N95 masks

Racine

Matranga's for bottled water

Rhinelander

Walmart for milk

St. Croix Falls

Marketplace Foods for toilet paper

Stevens Point

Point Market for rice

Waukesha

Walgreens for Lysol spray

West Milwaukee

Menard's for hand cleaner

Report Price Gouging

To report suspected price gouging, people are encouraged by the department to download a complaint form, and submit it via email to DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov. Officials are asking for the following information:

• Date the product was offered for sale
• Seller’s name
• Seller’s location
• Specific product being sold, including:
  • Product name, product size, and price.