February 17, 2020, 12:10 PM
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On Feb. 17, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) officers have made a surprise inspection at local retailer 3 Stars' outlet in Ang Mo Kio.
Policemen were also there during the inspection.
This is after the MTI received numerous complaints from members of the public that their outlets have allegedly been profiteering from the sales of masks.
3 Stars has several other outlets in Sembawang and Tampines.
From S$6 for small amounts of masks
According to a tip-off by a Mothership reader, they had been selling small packets of surgical masks from S$6 to S$14.
Photo courtesy of Mothership reader
Photo courtesy of Mothership reader
N95 masks on the other hand cost between S$6.90 and S$8.90 per piece.
Photo courtesy of Mothership reader.
No change in price
Following an earlier report, a Mothership reader noticed that the price tags for the masks had been removed.
He mentioned that one would have to ask the shop assistants personally for the price and noticed that there was no change in price for the masks.
Apparently, a "no photography allowed" signboard was also recently added to the shopfront.
Not forthcoming
It was earlier reported that the retailer had until Feb. 12 to respond to the Price Controller's queries.
In its letter, the Price Controller asked 3 Stars to explain the basis of their selling prices for the sale of masks, including their cost price and profit margins.
If it fails to respond, 3 Stars can be fined up to S$10,000 for the first offence, and S$20,000 for the second and subsequent offences.
Mothership, however, understands that 3 Stars have not been forthcoming in their exchanges with the authorities.
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