Xianning Discloses Batch of Typical Price Violation Cases

This article is reprinted from Xiangcheng City News

Report violations promptly and expose misconduct

Xiangning publishes a batch of typical cases of price violations

Our newspaper reported (Reporter Wu Qingpeng, Correspondent Kong Peng) on March 18th, to regulate market price order during major events, the Xiangning Market Supervision Bureau announced a batch of typical cases of price violations involving price gouging, price fraud, and non-compliance with government pricing, with the relevant companies being investigated and prosecuted.

On January 1, 2026, the Market Supervision Bureau received a complaint from a citizen about a hotel in Jiayu County, where the usual price was 100–200 yuan, but during New Year’s Day, it increased to 600–700 yuan. On-site inspection by Jiayu County Market Supervision Bureau confirmed that the booking price on Ctrip on January 2 was 375 yuan, and 165 yuan during non-holiday periods. Although the hotel displayed clear prices on-site, the price increase exceeded 100% despite no significant change in costs. On January 4, 2026, the hotel was investigated and prosecuted.

On January 1, 2026, a citizen reported that the Yue Hotel in Jiayu charged 896 yuan on January 1, 2026, 650 yuan on January 2, 2026, and 218 yuan during non-holiday periods. After verification, the price increase exceeded 300% despite no significant change in costs. The hotel was investigated and prosecuted on January 4, 2026.

During the Spring Festival, Hubei Chibi Automotive Service Co., Ltd. had issues such as not implementing government-guided prices and irregular fee disclosures. Inspections found that among 12 fee lists, 2 had service fees exceeding the provincial standard by 960 yuan, 10 had towing fees exceeding the maximum standard, and there were 5 cases of unauthorized standard charges for cleaning fees; also, some fee disclosures lacked basis and supervision contact information, and rescue vehicle prices were not publicly disclosed. The company has been ordered to correct irregular disclosures within a deadline, and investigations are ongoing into suspected violations of government pricing.

As the Xianning Marathon approaches in 2026, the Market Supervision Bureau reminds all operators in the city to clearly mark prices, ensure online and offline prices are consistent, and not to add charges beyond the marked prices or collect unmarked fees; not to significantly raise prices without obvious cost increases; not to exploit major events to gouge prices; not to spread price increase information or collude to raise prices; to honor price commitments; and not to increase prices after consumers have made reservations.

The city’s market supervision departments will continue to strengthen online and offline price inspections, maintain a “zero tolerance” stance on price violations during major events, investigate and expose violations promptly, and effectively safeguard consumers’ legal rights and the image of Xiangning. We welcome supervision from consumers and all sectors of society. If you discover price violations, please call the 12315 hotline to report.