…says no change to prices on Lysol products even as other retailers increased prices

LOCAL authorised distributors for the Lysol brand cleansing and sanitizing products, Beepats, on Friday, issued a statement notifying that there had been no change in the prices of the products being sold by the company.

The statement signed by the company’s CEO, Kristofer Beepat, came following several reports of price inflation on certain items, especially Lysol products, in light of the increase in their demand due to a confirmation of the first reported case of the coronavirus/COVID 19 in Guyana, on Wednesday.

“Loyal customers who come into our stores on a regular basis will notice no change in our pricing. We have been supplying all our regular and valued wholesale customers with the requested quantities at the same prices that the products have always been,” the statement informed.

They did however say that the store will be instituting a limitation on the amount of Lysol products allowed per customer to ensure equity. “At our retail outlet in Regent Street we have decided to limit sales to two per person, so that as many people as possible may be able to purchase same,” the statement said.

Beepat said the company is working towards restocking the product as soon as is possible. However, he noted that with similar increased demand situation in other countries, the company has been restricted on the amount it will be able to purchase. “We are expecting more shipments. However, at this point in time, the parent company is unable to supply us with any extra beyond our normal buying patterns because of the world pandemic. Stay strong and well Guyana as we go through this together,” he said.

In light of the advisory of sanitation and good hygiene being important in the prevention of the corona virus, since word broke of the first local case, there has been a rush at local pharmacies by consumers for various preventative medication and disinfectants since Wednesday evening. Products include hand sanitizers, Lysol, Clorox and other disinfectants, face masks as well as medications.

On social media, persons have been reporting Lysol cleaners, which regularly retail for approximately $1200, being sold for as much as $5000 at some stores.
Guyana Chronicle was not able to independently confirm such occurrence; however, one person confirmed a Lysol 32-ounce spray being sold at one pharmacy on Middle Street for $4000.

On Thursday, a similar spray was purchased at Mattai’s Supermarket for $1175. Nalini McKoy shared that she did not purchase any products herself but found the price of $4000 for the Lysol spray at a pharmacy on Middle Street to be suspicious when she visited.
“It’s very ridiculous for some of the stores to be increasing their prices of items that can save a life. What would happen to the smaller man if he doesn’t have the funds to purchase at the increased rate,” McKoy said. Another person posted a picture of hand sanitisers priced at $2500, which are being sold at a store on Regent Street. Some persons claim they have bought the same hand sanitizer elsewhere for $200.

One consumer reported paying $1,000 for a clip on one-ounce hand sanitizer on Thursday.
A consumer on the West Coast Demerara reported being in a store and witnessing a proprietor changing the price for a Lysol 12-ounce spray from $1580 to $2140. They say the price for a rubbing alcohol was also increased. The Competitions and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), on Thursday, issued a statement noting it had “credible information” on occurrences of price gouging.

“CCAC has received credible information of price gouging on items which have been recommended for use to assist in the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus/COVID 19,” the CCAC statement said. The body added that: “While the commission has no legal standing to regulate market prices, we wish to use moral suasion in our appeal to suppliers to revert to the common prices for the items they are now gouging on. It is morally wrong to take advantage of consumers during any national emergency, in this case, that of a possible public health crisis. We appeal to suppliers to put your countrymen over excessive profit.”

School teacher, Micaela Adrian, believes the overpricing of the products will only contribute to consumers gravitating towards “panic buying”. “Instead of them trying to help us they are violating us. They are robbing us. So it is a sad situation. It is a scary one. They are not helping the situation, they are exploiting, and it’s too much for us. Some of the stores are closing their doors and just selling you from the fence. They are causing this panic attack to worsen,” Adrian suggested.

Adrian feels slighted after dolling out $6300 for some two Lysol products and five Emergen-C vitamins at the same pharmacy on Middle Street. “I asked if they had any Lysol. He went looking under the counter and took out Lysol wipes and the 12- ouncs Lysol spray. He said $3,500 for the Lysol spray and $2,000 for the wipes. I said ok, I’m going to take it because I need it. When I got to the counter they were selling the Emergen-C that are usually sold for $100. He sold me five for $800. I collected everything and left,” Adrian related.

Adrian said she bought the products because she felt she needed them, being a teacher interacting with multiple children on a daily basis. Also issuing a statement on the situation was the Private Sector Commission, which said it does not condone the sudden price inflation. “The PSC has noted unverified claims reported in the media of businesses inflating the prices of necessities needed to combat the coronavirus disease. The PSC does not condone any attempt to profit from the crisis threatening our country from the coronavirus and condemns all attempts at doing so,” the PSC said.