Rapid Antigen Tests Gold Coast: Petrol stations, convenience stores’ high prices

Petrol stations and convenience stores on the Gold Coast have been found charging high prices for rapid antigen tests, as consumers are also warned to be on the look-out for a cruel scam. WHAT’S BEING CHARGED

PETROL STATIONS and convenience stores on the Gold Coast have been found charging $30 or more for rapid antigen test kits as demand for the products continues to soar.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it has been inundated with complains about high prices for the tests, which it said wholesale for between $3.95 and $11.45.

A southern Gold Coast convenience store was last week charging $30 per test, while petrol stations in a number of city locations were charging $31, the Bulletin has learned.

The price is double what is being charged at major supermarkets, with Coles selling packs of two for $30.

According to the ACCC, tests were “readily available” at most chemists and supermarkets for$10 in the weeks before a surge in Covid cases saw them sell out in most locations.

“We realise demand and supply chain issues have impacted since then, but our initial research suggests a price of around $20 per test or more, however packaged, may be hard to justify based on the average wholesale costs and such retailers should explain why the price is so high,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said.

Rapid antigen tests remain in short supply on the Gold Coast. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray.

“Any test costing more than $30, even with supply constraints, is almost certainly too expensive and would seem to be taking advantage of the current circumstances.”

The ACCC said it had also received reports of private sellers seeking hundreds of dollars for tests on online marketplaces.

“At the extreme end, we have received reports or seen media coverage of tests costing up to $500 for two tests through online marketplaces, and over $70 per test through convenience stores, service stations and independent supermarkets, which is clearly outrageous,” Mr Sims said.

“There are several businesses that have repeatedly come to our notice thanks to the information provided by the public. We are asking those businesses to urgently explain the prices they are charging.”

Retailers found to be jacking up the prices of RAT tests by more than 20 per cent face fines of up to $66,000 and up to five years in jail after a decision by national cabinet on January 5.

The penalties, under the Biosecurity Act, took effect on Saturday 8 January 2022 are in place until February 17.

Australian Association of Convenience Stores CEO Theo Foukkare said many retailers were facing inflated wholesale prices in excess of those listed by the ACCC.

“It has been reported to us about incidents of excessive pricing across the market with a handful of incidents relevant to our members, which have been quickly addressed by their head offices,” Mr Foukkare said.

“In most cases been the result of the retailer purchasing the RATs at an inflated wholesale price, not through a retail transaction.

“We have supplier members that are supplying retailers with the identical brand on shelf as major supermarkets, and their product RRP is identical to our members.

“I personally have spoken with the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Health and the ACCC to clarify their concerns to ensure that our members are correctly informed of their responsibilities, which they are 100% clear on as communicated by our association.”

Consumers have also been warned to be on the look-out for scam artists on social media who claim to have access to bulk test orders.

Kate Browne, personal finance expert at comparison website Finder, said one scam spreading on Facebook offered the opportunity to participate in a “bulk buy” of RAT kits by paying in advance to secure the order.

“If the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t give your personal information to anyone who approaches you online who you don’t know,” Ms Browne said.

“Finding a RAT kit in a shop is like finding a needle in a haystack – your best bet is to shop online with reputable dealers.

“Don’t let scammers take advantage of you financially with fake offers of stock that doesn’t exist.

“If you do see a scam operating, report it to www.scamwatch.gov.au and be sure to call it out online to protect others.”

A limited number of RAT tests are available free at Queensland Health testing centres at Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina for eligible people.

You may be eligible if:

• You are in home quarantine – because someone in your household had Covid or you’ve recently arrived from overseas – and need a negative test to leave quarantine.

• You have symptoms and cannot get a PCR test at a testing clinic.

For more details visit www.health.qld.gov.au

Follow @keithjwoods

Originally published as Rapid Antigen Tests Gold Coast: Petrol stations, convenience stores’ high prices