Re: Man "caught" on camera by Reuters reporter for overcharging of N95 safety face ma
CASE urges suppliers, retailers not to increase price of masks
POSTED: 21 Jun 2013 6:34 PM
Lines have formed at pharmacies, hospitals and clinics with people anxious to get hold of protective face masks (photo: YourNews contribution from K.Khoo)
SINGAPORE: The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) is urging all suppliers and retailers of face masks not to inflate prices.
It is also urging the businesses to remain transparent and stick to the regular recommended retail price.
The association stressed that businesses should not take advantage of the plight of consumers and inflate prices at this critical period of time.
CASE said it had come to its attention that some retail outlets have increased the prices of face masks, especially for the N95 face masks.
It said it understands that many retailers have run of stock of face masks due to the high demand for them.
Some retailers may try to profit from the situation by selling face masks at a higher price. There have also been cases where individuals have bought face masks in bulk and resold them to the public at a profit.
CASE advises consumers to exercise caution when purchasing face masks from unknown brands or retailers online. Such masks may not provide adequate protection from the haze.
Consumers should also be wary of retailers that sell face masks at inflated prices.
Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Haze Inter-Ministerial Committee Ng Eng Hen said the government will supply retail outlets with more masks, and that NTUC Fairprice will get the stocks next week.
There however will be a limit to the number of N95 masks each person can buy, he said.
The minister said: “NTUC Fairprice will cap the price of these masks, but also limit the number that each person can buy. Because when people buy more, they create more demand and artificial shortages, so they will cap the price and limit the numbers that each person can buy.”
- CNA/jc
CASE urges suppliers, retailers not to increase price of masks
POSTED: 21 Jun 2013 6:34 PM
Lines have formed at pharmacies, hospitals and clinics with people anxious to get hold of protective face masks (photo: YourNews contribution from K.Khoo)
SINGAPORE: The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) is urging all suppliers and retailers of face masks not to inflate prices.
It is also urging the businesses to remain transparent and stick to the regular recommended retail price.
The association stressed that businesses should not take advantage of the plight of consumers and inflate prices at this critical period of time.
CASE said it had come to its attention that some retail outlets have increased the prices of face masks, especially for the N95 face masks.
It said it understands that many retailers have run of stock of face masks due to the high demand for them.
Some retailers may try to profit from the situation by selling face masks at a higher price. There have also been cases where individuals have bought face masks in bulk and resold them to the public at a profit.
CASE advises consumers to exercise caution when purchasing face masks from unknown brands or retailers online. Such masks may not provide adequate protection from the haze.
Consumers should also be wary of retailers that sell face masks at inflated prices.
Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Haze Inter-Ministerial Committee Ng Eng Hen said the government will supply retail outlets with more masks, and that NTUC Fairprice will get the stocks next week.
There however will be a limit to the number of N95 masks each person can buy, he said.
The minister said: “NTUC Fairprice will cap the price of these masks, but also limit the number that each person can buy. Because when people buy more, they create more demand and artificial shortages, so they will cap the price and limit the numbers that each person can buy.”
- CNA/jc
