As 5TC alerted residents in previous years, there have been reports of car wash businesses raising prices in predominantly Orthodox Jewish communities in New York City. In some cases, prices were increased as much as 50 percent for Jewish customers seeking cleaning services close to Pesach.
We are seeing such complaints already in the 5 Towns. A resident informed 5TC of a local car wash in Hewlett that attempted to charge him $110 for “Passover Cleaning”.
When asked why the rate is much higher than the normal rate of $60 he pays throughout the year, the workers tone changed. “Oh, you come here regularly? Okay, it’s $60.” He then received an updated receipt of $60 (see attached photo of receipt).
This is the exact same service. No difference. It’s called price gouging and it’s illegal.
NY Attorney General Letitia James just announced last week that car wash owners in New York that conduct their businesses in such a way will be reported to the OAG. “If we learn of any businesses engaging in such disgusting and antisemitic practices, we will not hesitate to take swift and serious legal action,” she warned during press release.
We have been informed that the process of submitting such a claim is not an easy experience, instead you may be better off warning the car wash owners of the legalities involved in such behaviors. Another powerful tool may be to warn store owners that a negative Google or Yelp review will negatively effect their business.
Remember, there is no such thing as a “Passover Special”, it just means they are raising the price on you because it’s before Pesach. It is the same deep clean that you would get in December, it just has a different name and price! Please inform friends and family to familiarize themselves with normal prices for these services so they will not fall prey to these illegal practices.
Which place did this? Please name them
This sounds like Majestic. (W. Broadway and Mill). This happened to me last year, but w/o lowering my price after I called them out. I usually paid $50 then, and it became $100 for the 2 weeks before pesach. When I called her out, she said sorry, covid needs extra sanitizing and and we are only doing appointments now for Passover Special. We aren’t offering the regular packages. Had to pay the $100.
Is it such a big deal to vacuum out your car? If so how about paying a Yeshivah kid $30 to do it for a half hour. Win-Win-Win situation
Five Towns Hand Car Wash, the one on Rockaway also charges $100+ for “passover cleaning”