Ipswich convenience owner ‘abused’ for charging $60 for single rapid antigen tests in Ziploc bags
As Ipswich grapples with a huge shortage of rapid antigen tests, one convenience store that has managed to secure supply is charging customers $60 for individual tests placed in Ziploc bags.
Ipswich
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As Covid-19 spreads and rapid antigen tests sell out across Ipswich, and indeed across the country, local suppliers are reportedly charging up to $60 for a single test.
One convenience store, which the Queensland Times has chosen not to name, has removed tests from their original packaging and begun selling them individually in Ziploc bags.
A customer who wished to remain anonymous said she visited the store about 10.30am Sunday to find single tests were being sold for $60.
“I didn’t physically see him open the box and put them in the bags but he did say that he had made the Ziploc bags up himself,” she said.
“He didn’t mention why he was doing it.
“The test he showed me did not seem to have instructions in them.
“He did not let me get close enough to the bag to inspect.”
The woman said she saw “quite a few” people lining up to purchase the tests but was unsure how many people actually did.
A staff member at the store told The Queensland Times the store’s owner had made a “big sacrifice” to get the tests in stock and had been subjected to abuse, some of which was “racist”, both online and in store.
The staff member said the owner was making $8 per test and was “devastated” by the reactions.
The Queensland Times reached out to the store for further comment on Monday.
The store had earlier announced on Friday evening it had managed to secure a fresh supply of rapid antigen tests, but warned they would come at a high price due to challenges in obtaining them.
On a quest to find tests for symptomatic family members, Ipswich resident Cassandra Hunt visited the convenience store on Friday evening about 7pm.
“They had sold out when I got there,” Ms Hunt said.
“But they said we could preorder some because they were getting some in over the weekend.”
She said a staff member at the store told her an individual test would cost $60, explaining the inflated price was due to “really high” demand.
With tests at other locations selling for $15.95 each, Ms Hunt said she could not understand why they would cost so much at this particular site.
“They’re taking advantage of people in need,” she said.
It is understood the shop sold out of the tests on Friday and received a new batch on the weekend.
Following national cabinet on Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Commonwealth will “prohibit price gouging of and the non-commercial export of RATs” as it did earlier in the pandemic for masks, other PPE, and hand sanitiser.
“As was the case previously, price gouging will be defined as supplying or offering to supply essential goods at a price that is more than 120 per cent of the initial purchase price (a 20 per cent mark-up) and penalties for not complying with this direction will range up to five years imprisonment or $66,000,” Mr Morrison said.
National cabinet also agreed this week that up to 10 rapid antigen tests over three months will be made available free to concession card holders.
The decision followed an announcement by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that suppliers of rapid antigen tests and the pricing situation generally were being monitored “very closely”.
A team has been established by the consumer watchdog to investigate potential incidents of price gouging.
The ACCC noted that while suppliers are generally able to set their own prices, they must not make false or misleading statements about the reason for high prices.
“We won’t be shy to name and shame suppliers and retailers we consider to be doing the wrong thing,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said.
People who wish to report concerning conduct in relation to rapid antigen test pricing to the ACCC, can do so here.
The Queensland Times understands the Ipswich convenience store selling individual rapid antigen tests for $60 is working to get cheaper stock in.
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