Congress members say pricing practices at 7-Eleven and Circle K stores underscore everyday Americans’ affordability struggles
Five US House members have called out pricing practices at the US’s two largest convenience store chains in response to an investigation by the Guardian.
The Guardian found that 7-Eleven and Circle K stores frequently charge customers more at the register or pump for snacks, gas and other items than the prices they promise on the shelf or on outdoor fuel signs.
“It’s enraging that these massive companies are now essentially forcing us to fact-check every price tag and receipt just to make sure we’re not getting ripped off,” the representative Becca Balint, a Democrat from Vermont, said in a statement. “7-Eleven and Circle K have a responsibility to make sure the price we see on the shelf is the price we pay at the register.”
I want my 99¢ Arizona iced tea to be 99¢
A huge portion of items at 7-11s near me are not marked at all. This happens at some locally owned liquor stores, too - I went to one small neighborhood wine and grocery shop where nothing at all was marked with a price. If I have to walk up and ask “how much is this?” to see if their prices are decent I won’t be buying much.
I won’t be buying anything at all. I will however fill carts with stuff, bring them to the register, and then leave all the stuff there with the price on a single item is too high
Have to have severe penalties. It’s the only thing some people understand
In the Southern states Jim Crow was the actual solution for this. Back in the day, you had to walk up to a counter and ask for what you wanted. It was a fun way for people to be shitty to each other and to keep “certain folks” or “bad elements” from coming back. They couldn’t afford to. That’s where we got separate, but equal.
Some of the remnants still exist in the vernacular:
How much for ______ ? For you, that be x.
If you have to ask you can’t afford it.
So and so gave me a good price.
One of the big breakthroughs in the South was grocery stores with prices on the shelves and mail order catalogs.
So now that you know, lawmakers, do something about it!
What? You can’t? Why? Ohhhhhh, you’re an investor in said corporations and enforcement of laws that hold you would be a conflict of interest!
We understand. You’re off the hook and we’ll just pay I guess.😳😢
