Beepats commits to selling products at regular prices

Coronavirus…

Amidst the loathed practice of price gouging by local businesses due to the coronavirus threat in Guyana, the Beepats Store has assured that its prices for products that are now high in demand will remain the same.

“Loyal customers who actually come into our stores on a regular basis will notice no change in our pricing. We have been supplying all our regular and valued wholesale customers with the requested quantities at the same prices that the products have always been,” the company said in a press conference on Friday.
“At our retail outlet in Regent Street, we have decided to limit sales to two (2) per person, so that as many people as possible, may be able to purchase same,” Beepats noted.
In fact, Beepats explained that it has been the authorised distributor for the Lysol brand of cleansing and sanitising products for almost 35 years.
Some of the items for which prices have doubled and even tripled within the past 48 hours are respiratory masks, gloves, hand sanitisers, sanitising wipes and Lysol or other disinfecting sprays.
The company stated that many of its wholesale customers have already been “serviced” with such stocks and that others who are awaiting supplies will receive them within the next 24 hours.
“…but we only had stocks for regular orders. We are expecting more shipments. However, at this point in time, the parent company is unable to supply us with any extra beyond our normal buying patterns because of the world pandemic,” the company said.
Moreover, Beepats assured that it will continue to do its best to serve the local populace, especially at a time when Guyanese are trying to protect themselves from the deadly virus, which has already killed thousands of people worldwide.
Following the announcement by the Government on Wednesday evening that Guyana confirmed its first case of the coronavirus, Guyanese began to ‘panic buy’ these products in bulk.
In light of this situation, some businesses have doubled, or even tripled their prices – a move which was condemned by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC).
The PSC had stated: “As the threat of the coronavirus induces panic among the general populace, the Private Sector Commission is dismayed at recent claims reported in the media of businesses inflating the prices of necessities needed to combat the coronavirus disease. The PSC condemns all acts of price gouging by businesses.”
Meanwhile, the CCAC said: “It is morally wrong to take advantage of consumers during any national emergency, in this case, that of a possible public health crisis. We again appeal to suppliers to put your countrymen/people over excessive profit.”
If you or anyone you know is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, please call the hotline on 227-4986 ext 215 or 624-3067 and a team would be sent to your home.