WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — When major storms strike, the price of gas, hotels and other vital goods can rise.
One reason is the increased demand. But when businesses jack up prices beyond what's reasonable, that can be price gouging.
"Price gouging is going to happen and that's where it takes the consumers reporting it," Collins said. "But also the state investigators actually having time to look into it to make sure it is price gouging because unfortunately prices do go up during and after a storm."
Thomas Slaton and two of his children left their St. Petersburg, Florida home in a hurry Wednesday. He said they were in search of a place to stay after their home flooded from Hurricane Milton.
"After we crossed the Georgia line, we were stopping off at exits trying to find a room, no room,” he said. “Everybody was telling us the closest place would be Atlanta."
He said when he found an open hotel room in Warner Robins the staff told him it would be more than their usual $80 per night rate.
"I don't have a choice,” Slaton said. “I have to have a place. So, I got the place for two nights and they charged me $315 which was double the rate, basically."
Slaton has a GoFundMe page to support him and his children during this time.
The hotel manager said the rate is higher right now because of the Georgia National Fair. He said they are willing to adjust the rate if someone evacuating the storm asks. President of the Macon Better Business Bureau Kelvin Collins said price gouging happens year-round. He said it becomes a larger problem during a state of emergency, and there’s a way to combat it.
"If you feel like you've been gouged, go ahead and make a report somewhere so that there's record and there's a paper trail,” he said. “And once the state settles with that company, you very well might get a refund back or partial refund back. But the state will go in and they'll find the companies."
Collins recommends you document your experiences, keep all receipts and compare prices in the same area.
"If you feel like you have been gouged, you can file a complaint and they will be able to let you know if that falls under the guidelines that were issued in the beginning by the governor," he said. "Many times, it does take just a little time to figure it out, but just be aware that it may not be an immediate thing."
You do see typically a month or two after, after storms, you do see state, uh, the state release a list of companies that they have charged and fine."
Governor Kemp extended price gouging protections in counties across Central Georgia through next Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 11:59 p.m. To file a complaint about price gouging, you can contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division through its website or at 404-651-8600. You can also file a complaint through the Better Business Bureau.