Two brothers have gained notoriety for their attempt to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic. They acquired thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer and medical masks early in the crisis, intending to resell these items at inflated prices. Their actions have led to an investigation by the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office.
Mark and Jason Taylor from Hixson, Tennessee, received a formal complaint from the AG’s office after they made headlines by showcasing their garage filled with masks, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, and other cleaning supplies. Their strategy was to resell these products both online and in-person at exorbitant rates.
“I identified a market demand, and that’s all there is to say about it,” Mark Taylor told local news station WRCB-TV. The brothers traveled extensively across Tennessee and Kentucky, purchasing as many items as possible from retailers like Dollar Tree, Walmart, Staples, and Home Depot. They began listing their stock on Amazon but were swiftly shut down after receiving numerous complaints about price gouging, having sold around 300 bottles of hand sanitizer for prices ranging from $8 to $70 each, as reported by The New York Times.
While millions of individuals nationwide struggled to find these essential products during the pandemic, the Taylors found themselves with 17,700 bottles of hand sanitizer, uncertain about how to liquidate their inventory. “It’s a whirlwind of emotions,” Mark expressed. “I went from thinking I could secure a financial future for my family to wondering what I’ll do with all this stock.” Perhaps they should have considered the consequences of attempting to profit off a global crisis before diving in.
Following backlash on social media and their online shutdown, the Taylors announced plans to donate the remaining hand sanitizer to a local church and first responders. A representative from the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office confirmed that they indeed donated the items, as reported by the Huffington Post. Most of the products were given to a church, which had a verified plan to distribute the sanitizer, while roughly one-third was held for a return to Kentucky.
Despite their shift in approach, the Attorney General’s office is continuing its investigation. “We will not allow price gouging during this crucial time, and we will take decisive action against it,” stated Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III and Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in a joint statement. They urged the public to report any suspicious activities related to price gouging while encouraging civility in communications with suspected individuals or businesses. “Now is the time to support our neighbors, not to profit from them,” they concluded.
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In summary, two brothers attempted to capitalize on the pandemic by hoarding hand sanitizer and medical supplies for resale, leading to an investigation and eventual donation of their stock. The ongoing situation serves as a reminder of the importance of community support during times of crisis.