Amazon Customers Complain of Price Gouging Ahead of Irma

(Jaap Arriens/AP)

By Theodore Bunker | Wednesday, 06 September 2017 10:45 AM EDT

Amazon faces complaints of dramatically increased prices for bottled water as Hurricane Irma closes in on Florida, CBS News reports.

Although bottled water from Nestle is $18.50 for a 24-case if bought on Amazon in the Northeast, customers in Florida report that the same product selling at much higher prices.

Hey @amazon & @PamBondi why is the Nestle bottled water $25 on Amazon Prime? Isn't that price gouging?
— JustinP (@realJustinTime3) September 4, 2017

Hey @amazon @AmazonHelp, you should monitor the price gauging going on right now...$100 for 24pk of water that is usually about $10 ??? pic.twitter.com/Dll9HbrMtn
— Daniel A. (@TheReal_DannyA) September 6, 2017

Hey @amazon this is called PRICE GOUGING. Lower the price so Floridians can get water before the storm. Stores are sold out. pic.twitter.com/xbgEWXDPKM
— Steph (@DisneyBySteph) September 5, 2017

@Nestle is charging $40 for a case of water on @amazon amidst #Harvey and #Irma - how do you sleep at night? pic.twitter.com/JMiYTkNE9a
— Alex Moss (@RCCLMoss) September 5, 2017

So it appears that @amazon is charging $22 for a case of water that I paid $4 for yesterday at @Target . Irma on its way and they're banking pic.twitter.com/B4ML6HSKh2
— Geek With Muscles (@geekwithmuscles) September 4, 2017

Another Twitter user attempting to ship water to her family in South Florida shared a screenshot showing Amazon charging $179 for expedited shipping.

Went to see if I could use Amazon Prime to get more water over to my family in South Florida for Irma. Check out the price they quoted me. pic.twitter.com/FlrQB331tE
— Diana Moskovitz (@DianaMoskovitz) September 5, 2017

In response to reports of rising prices, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi activated the state's price gouging hotline on Monday night.

"Floridians need to prepare now and they should not be inhibited by unlawful price increases on supplies necessary to brace for a major hurricane strike — that is why I've activated Florida's Price Gouging Hotline and encourage anyone who suspects price gouging to report it to my office by calling (866)-9-NO-SCAM," Bondi said after opening the hotline, according to WPTV in West Palm Beach. "By reporting suspected price gouging, you can protect yourself and your fellow Floridians."