“Even without complaints we know that such phenomena exist and for this reason they are controlled” said the general secretary of Trade and Consumer Protection
They spoke to ERT about the phenomena of profiteering that were presented in the market of anti-slip chains and also food items the Secretary General of Trade and Consumer Protection Sotiris Anagnostopoulos, and the president of the Union of Consumer Workers, Apostolos Rautopoulos.
According to the general secretary, “those who have sold chains too expensive compared to how much they bought or sold them in the past, that is, for those who have exceeded their profit margin […] obviously they will be punished.” He noted that the relevant agencies can check this by looking for the electronic traces of these sales.
Mr. Anagnostopoulos also said that when there is increased demand for a few days, cases of speculation appear. “Even without complaints, we know that such phenomena exist and that is why they are being controlled,” he stressed.
Answering a question about the possibility of putting a ceiling on the price, he said: “The concept of a “ceiling” on the price is something that is very dangerous in a free economy. If, for example, we put a cap on chains because there was too much demand, it was more than likely that many of those chains would end up on the black market to be sold at the prices that the entrepreneur would actually want. It would pretend that it has no other chains and therefore cannot serve the public.”
For his part, Mr. Rautopoulos stated that “what we are finding is that “the wolf in the dark is happy”. Whenever we have an emergency, this product always sells at the drop of a hat.” And as he said in Athens there are complaints about chains, which were bought for 40 to 45 euros and today they bought them for 70 euros. They have also sent us receipts, which we, in turn, will send to the ministry in order to check them again.”
Regarding the price difference between the field and the shelf in the retail trade, Mr. Anagnostopoulos said that “it has always existed, but it has worsened recently” explaining that this is due to the energy crisis.
Regarding Market Pass and when the platform will open, he said: “Whenever the platform opens, no one is going to lose the ability to participate in it. Plenty of time will be given and this money will be able to be used by (each beneficiary) until the end of August unhindered.”
According to the general secretary, “no order of priority will be observed. Everyone will be served. In the next 10 to 15 days, this platform will be available to the consumer public and will be able to be served and receive the necessary support due to the high inflationary pressures that unfortunately still exist in the country”.
Speaking about the government’s new initiative to support households, the so-called “Lenten basket” clarified that it will be announced next week in order to be implemented on the Wednesday before Clean Monday.
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