In a price-gouging scheme this Canadian couple has made $70,000 dollars by reselling wipes and other items 4 times their original retail price. During these times of crises when humans are struggling to survive there are people who are ready to rip apart their morals for the sake of earning extra cash. These stories tell us that maybe there is really no hope left for humans.
Manny Ranga, 38, and his wife Violeta Perez, 37, sold disinfectant wipes at more than four times their original retail price. The couple bought the stock in bulk from the local Costco to sell them at much higher rates on Amazon during the Coronavirus caused panic buying.
A package of wipes which usually retails for around $14.50 was being sold online for in the couple's Amazon marketplace store for $64.50.
In a price-gouging scheme, the couple has made hundreds and thousands of dollars taking advantage of the helplessness of the situation. They actually got the idea when they were preparing for the crises and were stopped by a stranger in the parking lot who offered to pay double the price for their items.
'It's a big opportunity with all these products,' Ranga said to the Toronto Star. 'I've got to pay the bills. With a regular job, I won't be making this money... I know it won't last forever.'
'Everything we do, we're in the moment,' Perez said. 'We're hustlers.'
The couple traveled around in their truck to do their bulk buying shopping and stocked up on wipes and other supplies. They were even threatened by one branch of Costco to limit their bulk buying but Perez kicked up a fuss and claimed that everyone who was getting a chance was ripping others with price gouging scheme on these items.
Although the couple is currently not selling anything via Amazon, one review stated: 'seller canceled my order the day before delivery only to put it back online and jack up the price.'
'It's just a business I'm doing right now,' said Ranga to CTV, adding that he had been selling the items for 'probably like three or four weeks.'
'The government's not helping us pay our bills,' he said. 'Kids can't go to school, my kids go to private school. I pay $20,000 a year on private school and they're not returning it.
'You know what's making, money? The shipping companies,' he added. 'Amazon's making money on it too.'