Dade Officials To Check For Price Gouging
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – As Tropical Storm Isaac continues to make its way in our general direction, many in South Florida are topping off their 'hurricane kits' with some last minute items they may need should the power go out.
To protect residents against price gouging during an emergency, a team of enforcement officers from Miami-Dade's Consumer Protection Section has documented the average prices of a sampling of essential commodities such as ice, coolers, generators, flashlights, batteries, chainsaws, and plywood.
Avg. Commodity Prices for Miami-Dade County from 6/1/2012
|
Category: Building & Roofing Supplies |
||||
|
Commodity |
Avg price |
Min price |
Max price |
Sample size |
|
Roof Cement/Bull (1 Gallon) |
$11.87 |
$9.00 |
$16.80 |
8 |
|
Roof Cement/Bull (5 Gallons) |
$37.32 |
$29.99 |
$44.35 |
9 |
|
Roof Felt (30 ASTM D-226) |
$28.20 |
$24.14 |
$30.69 |
4 |
|
Roof Felt (30 ASTM D-226) |
$28.31 |
$19.99 |
$38.47 |
5 |
|
Category: Consumables |
||||
|
Commodity |
Avg price |
Min price |
Max price |
Sample size |
|
Charcoal |
$8.36 |
$3.49 |
$12.99 |
78 |
|
Ice |
$2.48 |
$1.19 |
$3.89 |
19 |
|
Ice (8-10 Pounds) |
$2.74 |
$1.89 |
$2.99 |
8 |
|
Whole Milk ( 1Gallon) |
$4.51 |
$2.99 |
$6.29 |
32 |
|
Whole Milk (1/2 Gallon) |
$3.12 |
$2.28 |
$4.39 |
31 |
|
Category: Home Shelter Supplies |
||||
|
Commodity |
Avg price |
Min price |
Max price |
Sample size |
|
Duct Tape |
$6.44 |
$1.89 |
$13.49 |
50 |
|
Lumber (2 X 4 X 12 Board) |
$5.78 |
$4.29 |
$7.79 |
9 |
|
Lumber (2 X 4 X 16 Board) |
$7.73 |
$5.97 |
$10.49 |
7 |
|
Lumber (2 X 4 X 8 Board) |
$3.76 |
$2.64 |
$5.99 |
14 |
|
Lumber (4 X 4 X 8 Board) |
$8.56 |
$6.77 |
$9.99 |
7 |
|
Masking Tape |
$4.10 |
$.77 |
$12.20 |
47 |
|
Plywood (4 X 8 X 1/2) |
$18.94 |
$16.07 |
$24.97 |
7 |
|
Plywood (4 X 8 X 3/4) |
$26.23 |
$20.99 |
$32.47 |
9 |
|
Plywood (4 X 8 X 5/8) |
$22.30 |
$18.99 |
$31.37 |
7 |
|
Tapcon 1/4 (3.25 inch Length) - (100 Count) |
$26.55 |
$11.49 |
$42.99 |
13 |
|
Tapcon 3/16 (2.75 inch Length) - (100 Count) |
$16.15 |
$8.49 |
$23.99 |
13 |
|
Tapon |
$21.38 |
$10.99 |
$28.99 |
8 |
|
Tapon 3/16 |
$18.45 |
$9.99 |
$28.99 |
11 |
|
Category: Household Supplies |
||||
|
Commodity |
Avg price |
Min price |
Max price |
Sample size |
|
Alkaline Batteries (9 Volt) |
$8.37 |
$3.49 |
$19.49 |
70 |
|
Alkaline Batteries (6 Volt) - 1 Battery per Package |
$8.25 |
$2.88 |
$12.99 |
37 |
|
Alkaline Batteries (AA) |
$6.75 |
$1.99 |
$16.19 |
80 |
|
Alkaline Batteries (AAA) |
$6.86 |
$2.49 |
$18.39 |
83 |
|
Alkaline Batteries (C) |
$6.82 |
$2.49 |
$14.99 |
78 |
|
Alkaline Batteries (D) |
$8.23 |
$2.39 |
$17.49 |
70 |
|
Bleach |
$2.74 |
$1.29 |
$6.99 |
42 |
|
Bottled Propane Fuel |
$4.51 |
$2.86 |
$8.49 |
30 |
|
Cooler (24-48 Quarts) |
$30.05 |
$3.99 |
$49.99 |
30 |
|
Cooler (Greater than 48 Quarts) |
$58.34 |
$20.99 |
$99.99 |
14 |
|
Corded Circular Saw ( 7 1/4 Blade) |
$101.75 |
$36.57 |
$179.99 |
32 |
|
Corded Power Drill (3/8 Variable) |
$54.40 |
$21.99 |
$132.99 |
32 |
|
Cordless Power Drill (3/8 Variable) |
$96.56 |
$19.88 |
$241.65 |
38 |
|
Electric Chain Saw - 16 inch Blade |
$74.08 |
$49.99 |
$77.95 |
8 |
|
Flashlight w/Batteries (Standard Hand-Held) |
$9.09 |
$2.00 |
$29.99 |
65 |
|
Flashlight Standard Handheld w/o Batteries |
$14.46 |
$1.29 |
$29.82 |
52 |
|
Gas Chain Saw (14 inch Blade) |
$178.65 |
$109.00 |
$339.95 |
9 |
|
Gas Chain Saw (16 inch Blade) |
$197.25 |
$139.00 |
$609.95 |
19 |
|
Gas Chain Saw (18 inch Blade) |
$233.91 |
$159.00 |
$559.95 |
12 |
|
Gas Chain Saw (20 inch Blade) |
$251.72 |
$199.00 |
$399.00 |
12 |
|
Generator Electric Start (4000-7550 Watts) |
$832.38 |
$499.00 |
$2,199.00 |
13 |
|
Generator Electric Start (7551 to 10000 Watts) |
$1,349.00 |
$1,349.00 |
$1,349.00 |
1 |
|
Generator Pull Start (1800 to 3999 Watts) |
$309.66 |
$279.99 |
$369.00 |
9 |
|
Generator Pull Start (4000 to 7550 Watts) |
$693.32 |
$599.99 |
$749.99 |
3 |
|
Generators Electric Start (1800-3999 Watts) |
$709.28 |
$299.99 |
$1,859.00 |
7 |
|
Lantern (Florescent w/Battery) |
$17.64 |
$4.99 |
$29.99 |
21 |
|
Lantern (Propane) |
$40.40 |
$19.99 |
$99.00 |
14 |
|
Metal Extension Ladder (24 Feet) |
$170.70 |
$99.00 |
$249.00 |
10 |
|
Metal Ladder (6-8 Feet) |
$80.80 |
$43.00 |
$219.00 |
30 |
|
Propane (Refillable 20 lb. Tank) |
$22.21 |
$17.50 |
$29.99 |
7 |
|
Propane Camping Stove (2 Burner) |
$39.07 |
$22.99 |
$64.99 |
20 |
|
Sterno Fuel |
$4.70 |
$2.00 |
$7.99 |
22 |
|
Tarps |
$50.94 |
$4.99 |
$169.00 |
33 |
|
Wet/Dry Vacuums (8-16 Gallons) |
$80.75 |
$44.99 |
$159.00 |
17 |
If anyone believes a retailer has violated price gouging rules after a state of emergency has been declared, they should call the County's 311 Answer Center by dialing 3-1-1 or RER's Business Affairs Division's Consumer Protection Section at 305-375-3677.
>> Visit the CBS4 Tropics Page for an interactive Tropical Tracker, the newest computer model tracks and more.
>> Here's how to use the CBS4 site to prepare for and monitor Isaac:
