Throughout history, enterprising people have recognized the advantage of having certain supplies or products, or being able to provide certain services, in times of upheaval. For instance, when a hurricane makes all of the water in a given area undrinkable, a shopkeeper who has a large supply of bottled water might make a very good profit. It is this taking advantage of a bad situation, raising prices for much-needed supplies or services to an unfair, or even unethical level, that is considered price gouging.
The most common items used in price gouging include food, water, gasoline, and medications. Services such as plumbing repair, heating repair, roofing repair, and other services desperately needed by many in a state of emergency, are also subject to price gouging. Price gouging is against the law, though the laws vary by state.
