Price scalping consumer law
Deputy Kenny raises “price scalping” in scarce goods like gaming consoles and asks how consumers can be protected. The Tánaiste says a new consumer protection Act next year may provide the opportunity to address it.
I will associate myself with the Ceann Comhairle's earlier remarks on fellow Deputies and staff.
They have done a tremendous job in an extremely difficult year.
Earlier this year, the Government brought in legislation around ticket touting that banned above-price resales. It was progressive legislation, but there is also a practice going on, which I never heard of until recently, called "price scalping". This happens when something is in demand and there is not enough supply, for example, in relation to gaming consoles at the moment. The sting is that somebody buys the console for €500 and sells it to one of the high street shops which buy and sell products and which I will not name. The initial buyer gets a 10% premium and the company, which is not far from here, sells it for an exorbitant price, up to 175% of the retail value. If you go online or down to that shop, the product, which normally costs €500, costs €880. It is profiteering and touting by another name. Are there plans to ban this practice?
Comment on this
I had not heard of that practice, or at least not that term. As the Deputy mentioned, we brought in ticket touting legislation, which was the big consumer legislation for this year. Next year we will have a new consumer protection Act which will replace the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act. It is being led by my Department and the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, in particular. It is the big reform of consumer law. That will happen next year and that might be the opportunity to deal with it.