New York AG: Raising rates due to blizzard = illegal price gouging

Ummm, nothing about Obamacare is unintentional..Everything in that bill is a delibrate, calculated well thought out lie to hurt more than help..

 

Not sure how he's requiring you to take extra risks. If the conditions aren't safe, they're not safe, regardless of what rate you're charging.

 

I guess I would get nailed for this all year round because they have to PAY to get me to the East coast let alone NY

 

Good points, Double Yellow. If the reward permitted by the AG doesn't cover the economic risks, you need to do the same thing you would do in any other business situation, and review whether that load/job/account is worth keeping. When the shelves run empty, the voters and businesses may reconsider their idea of a fair rate.

 

Her'es a quote: New York State’s Price Gouging Law (General Business Law § 396-r) prohibits merchants from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services for an "unconscionably excessive price" during an "abnormal disruption of the market," this is only about consumers, which means it doesn't apply to Business To Business so that means NONE of you guys unless you're household goods carriers, car transporters working for individuals, or maybe a handful of specialties. And if you're HHG you already know that you have to stick to your tariff rates anyway. This doesn't apply to general freight. no need to get hot & bothered. This applies to taxi's, movers, home-depot, fed-ex, kwik-e-mart and the gas station. Not to freight brokers, truckers or anyone selling to a business.

 

It's a rediculous law that will create shortages but no surprise NY would have such a knee jerk feel good law. No such thing as gouging. If you want or need something bad enough you can get it for a price. If there are price controls supply will run out and you won't find what you need at ANY price.

How would New York enforce such a law. If a gas station has to raise the price of fuel from $3 a gallon to $5 overnight because of a crisis, they either raise their price to cover the cost they will surely pay their wholesaler, or they just don't buy any more gas at all if they fear government retribution. They're most certainly not going to subsidize anyone and lose money.

 

Good thread Double Yellow.

I just Googled New York Attorney General Price Gouging (ny.ag.gov/price-gouging) and learned:
This is primarily about ESSENTIAL CONSUMER GOODS like groceries, gasoline, heating oil, electricity, propane, drinking water, cab fare, etc.

New York State’s Price Gouging Law (General Business Law § 396-r) prohibits merchants from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services for an unconscionably excessive price during an abnormal disruption of the market..

all parties within the chain of distribution for any essential consumer goods or services are prohibited from charging unconscionably excessive prices. Consumer goods are defined by the statute as those used, bought or rendered primarily for personal, family or household purposes.

I don't think this is anything to worry about. Charge what you can get, keeping in mind your excess risk as well as market conditions. (High demand for truckers. Low supply of trucks.)

Just before the storm was scheduled to hit, brokers were looking for dump trucks/end dumps, etc. and were offering big money. They weren't going to be charged with gouging. I'll check with one and post details.

 

Double Yellow
I've read many of your posts. Are you storm chasing again, looking for high rates?

BTW If you like my posts, please thank me. I cannot yet PM.