Georgia’s attorney general is warning hotels against changing reservations and rates this week due to high demand for rooms during the Super Bowl. He is also encouraging consumers to try to work any disputes out with the business first before going to the state for help.
“Consumers attending the Super Bowl or the surrounding events should be able to count on businesses to honor their contractual agreements,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “Hotels and businesses that try to unfairly take advantage of consumers will be held accountable by our office.”
If a hotel attempts to change the terms of an existing reservation, including charging you a higher rate than the one established when the reservation was made, Carr suggests that consumers first try to work with the business directly to resolve the matter.
Certain unfair practices, depending on the circumstances, could be a violation of the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act. Consumers who believe that a business has acted unfairly or deceptively may file a complaint with the Georgia Department of Law’s Consumer Protection Division by calling (404) 651-8600 or visiting consumer.ga.gov.
Carr says it is important to note that prices for goods and services are set in our free market economy by the law of supply and demand. Although Georgia does have a price gouging statute, it only goes into effect when a State of Emergency is declared by the Governor and only applies to the specific products and services identified by the Governor.
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