Price Gouging

PURPOSE: The attorney general administers and enforces the provisions of the Merchandising Practices Act, Chapter 407, RSMo. The attorney general may make rules necessary to the administration and enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 407, RSMo and, in order to provide notice to the public, may specify meanings of terms used in the Act. This rule specifies the settled meanings of certain terms used in the enforcement of the Act and provides notice to the public of their application. Practices specified are not intended to be an all inclusive list of practices which are unfair, but this rule enumerates specific practices which are unfair and are violative of section 407.020, RSMo. (1) It is an unfair practice for any person in connection with the advertisement or sale of merchandise to— (A) Take advantage of a person's physical or mental impairment or hardship caused by extreme temporary conditions, and charge a price substantially above the previous market price of the merchandise in seller's trade area; (B) Charge within a disaster area an excessive price for any necessity; or (C) Charge any person an excessive price for any necessity which the seller has reason to know is likely to be provided to consumers within a disaster area. AUTHORITY: sections 407.020, RSMo (Cum. Supp. 1992) and 407.145, RSMo (Cum. Supp. 1993).* Original rule filed March 18, 1994, effective Sept. 30, 1994. *Original authority: 407.020, RSMo 1967, amended 1973, 1985, 1986, 1992 and 407.145, RSMo 1986, amended 1993.