English 中文网 漫画网 爱新闻iNews 翻译论坛
中国网站品牌栏目(频道)
当前位置: Language Tips > Normal Speed News VOA常速

New York officials work to curtail price gouging(视频)

[ 2012-11-09 10:00] 来源:VOA     字号 [] [] []  
免费订阅30天China Daily双语新闻手机报:移动用户编辑短信CD至106580009009

Get Flash Player

Get Flash Player

Download

NEW YORK -- In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, consumers in New York are complaining about having to pay more for services than they would normally. The New York State Attorney General's office is investigating accusations of price gouging. State officials are highlighting the issue to deter gougers from preying on victims of the storm.

“This is a different day, my friend.” That’s what a cab driver recently said when this reporter protested his attempt to charge $30 for what would usually be a $10 ride.

A spike in demand for taxis, generators, batteries, hotel rooms and gasoline during and after last week's storm prompted a few vendors to charge exorbitant prices for goods and services.

Al Ridolfo, a hotel manager, says some of his competitors charged $800 for a $300 room. And he paid $25 for an $8 set of radio batteries.

“There are just these few businesses. They see money, their eyes go wild - dollar signs in their eyes," he said. "And it’s really bad. It’s bad for the city; it’s bad for the other businesses”

The attorney general says several hundred cases of price gouging have been reported since the storm hit New York state, which has a total population of more than 19 million people.

New York University law professor Eleanor Fox says that is a small percentage. Prosecutors intend to keep it that way.

“In the very extreme cases, where you look at the law and you look at what was done, and you know that person did wrong, the person will probably want to settle," she said. "So, assume the person settles, the attorney general would want to issue press releases and make a very big deal about the fact that this is happening and it is wrong.”

One private online Craigslist ad offers gas at $15 per four liters, more than triple the usual price. Fox says reselling goods at a higher price is not considered gouging. But retailers are prohibited from charging what the law refers to as “an unconscionably excessive price.” The penalty for doing so is a fine of up to $25,000 and, where appropriate, restitution to aggrieved consumers.

相关阅读

Ukraine feminists campaign against sex tourism(视频)

Celebrities support US presidential candidates(视频)

Make-your-own soap entrepreneurs clean up

Taylor Swift's 'Red' among 2012's best sellers

(来源:VOA 编辑:Julie)

 
中国日报网英语点津版权说明:凡注明来源为“中国日报网英语点津:XXX(署名)”的原创作品,除与中国日报网签署英语点津内容授权协议的网站外,其他任何网站或单位未经允许不得非法盗链、转载和使用,违者必究。如需使用,请与010-84883631联系;凡本网注明“来源:XXX(非英语点津)”的作品,均转载自其它媒体,目的在于传播更多信息,其他媒体如需转载,请与稿件来源方联系,如产生任何问题与本网无关;本网所发布的歌曲、电影片段,版权归原作者所有,仅供学习与研究,如果侵权,请提供版权证明,以便尽快删除。
 

关注和订阅

人气排行

翻译服务

中国日报网翻译工作室

我们提供:媒体、文化、财经法律等专业领域的中英互译服务
电话:010-84883468
邮件:translate@chinadaily.com.cn