With the start of the 2007 hurricane season, the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division is rushing to complete its annual survey of the costs for the “most used” commodities should a storm threaten.
To assist in the enforcement of the County’s “Price Gouging” Ordinance, the Consumer Affairs Division conducts price checks at local retailers to establish benchmark costs for numerous items and services most likely to be in high demand in the event of a hurricane. With an emergency declaration, the Consumer Affairs Division is responsible for enforcing the local ordinance preventing excessive or exorbitant charges for consumer goods and services.
With the recent visits of Frances, Jeanne and Wilma more attention was given to the prices of generators, tarps, chain saws, plywood and roof felt. The division also is gathering the current prices for services by storage rentals, hotels and marinas providing boat dry storage. The surveys are conducted just prior to the hurricane season.
The division surveys chain stores, independent retailers and both large and small businesses. The stores surveyed represent all regions of the county including the Glades area.
Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs cooperates with both Broward and Miami-Dade Counties in tracking the same commodities for all of south Florida. Should a state of emergency be declared and price gouging is suspected, residents should contact PBC Consumer Affairs at 561-712-6600. More information about price gouging and essential hurricane links is available at the division’s Web site: www.pbcgov.com/consumer.
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