In an ideal world, the state would not impose laws against prices that businesses charge where there is a willing buyer. Taking advantage of market conditions and self interest has raised living standards in the USA beyond other countries with more regulated economies. However, the motel in this case should have been aware of the risk of adverse publicity by rapidly increasing the price of their rooms in an emotional situation of a natural disaster. It would appear that any short term gain has been eroded.
www.wblt.com
Jackson USA
If the hurricane wasn't enough to endure, a Jackson motel is accused of hiking prices to take advantage of displaced residents seeking shelter from the storm. Attorney General Jim Hood has cited the owner of the Select 10 Motel on Interstate 55 in north Jackson for misdemeanor price gouging.
Since the state of emergency was declared, Hood's office has received about 100 similar complaints. Ibraham Khoder, 60, the owner of Select 10, received the only citation. A New Orleans family staying at the hotel for three days did not encounter any problems.
Lisa Peterson of Algiers said her family stayed in their car for two days after New Orleans' mandatory evacuation went into place. She said the Select 10 was the only motel they could find for the family of 11.Peterson said she felt sorry for any evacuees taken advantage of. "We are out here struggling, with no where to go, so why would you want to overcharge us? And we are poor," she said.
Khoder faces a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. He is scheduled to appear in Hinds County Justice Court on September 22.
http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=8946511&nav=2CSf
