WA May Sue Amazon Sellers Over Coronavirus Price Gouging, AG Says

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson threatened to sue five Amazon retailers Tuesday who Ferguson said jacked up prices on coronavirus-related items like hand sanitizer and N95 masks.

Ferguson has sent cease-and-desist letters to five Washington-based independent sellers over the alleged price gouging, saying that prices were raised by more than 600 percent in one case.

Ferguson said he expects to send more letters to businesses accused of price gouging during the COVID-19 crisis, saying the practice violates the state's Consumer Protection Act.

The attorney general took action after receiving information from Amazon about the price increases, Ferguson said in the five letters. In one case, a Spokane-based seller raised the price of an 8-ounce hand sanitizer bottle from about $3.50 in February to an average of more than $25, Ferguson said.

The state is asking each seller to immediately stop selling the products "at an unreasonably excessive price," and that failing to comply with the letters could result in a lawsuit allowing for a $2,000 penalty for each violation.

"These businesses are charging exorbitant prices on products that are essential for the health and well-being of Washingtonians," Ferguson said in a statement. "We will use all of the tools at our disposal to prevent price-gouging during this public health emergency."

Residents can file a complaint about price gouging at the attorney general's website.

Complaints of coronavirus price gouging have been reported nationwide alongside shortages of products like hand sanitizer, masks and other personal protective equipment used by medical workers during the coronavirus outbreak.

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