Skip to content
  • (413) 834-4284
  • [email protected]
  • 21 Grinnell St, Greenfield, Massachusetts
Sprawl-busters
  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
    • Links
    • Books
    • Movies
    • Home Towns, Not Home Depot
    • The Case Against Sprawl
  • Victories
  • Blog
    • Share Your Battle
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
    • Links
    • Books
    • Movies
    • Home Towns, Not Home Depot
    • The Case Against Sprawl
  • Victories
  • Blog
    • Share Your Battle
  • Contact
  • Uncategorized

New Hampshire Passes New Predatory Pricing Law

  • Al Norman
  • June 24, 2002
  • No Comments

The Governor of New Hampshire signed a new law on May 18th, based on H.B. 1429, that addresses the issue of predatory pricing by big box retailers. Here is an overview prepared by the Bianco Professional Association for Sprawl-Busters: “In the summer of 2001, the Independent Oil Marketers Association (IOMA) of New Hampshire brought forth concerns about below cost pricing of goods and services by larger “big box” retailers. Understanding that passing “below cost” legislation, specifically for gasoline, would be politically difficult, IOMA – NH moved forward with legislation to establish general policies in New Hampshire prohibiting predatory pricing and unfair competition. New Hampshire’s Consumer Protection Law, RSA 358-A, regulates business practices. Under RSA 358-A:2, Acts Unlawful, it states that “It shall be unlawful for any person to use any unfair method of competition or any unfair or deceptive act or practice in the conduct of any trade or commerce within this state. Such unfair method or competition or unfair or deceptive act or practice shall include, but it not limited to, the following :” (The law goes on to list 13 specific acts which are considered “unlawful.” The attorney general’s office is charged with the enforcement of these laws. However, under RSA 358-A:10, the right to private action is also preserved. Under the right of private action, any person, nonprofit corporation, or any other legal entity, has the right to bring an action for damages against another for any method, act or practice declared unlawful under the law. If a Court finds for the plaintiff in such action,the recovery awarded is in the amount of actual damages or $1,000, whichever is greater. However, if the Court finds that the method of competition was a willful or knowing violation of the act, a plaintiff may be awarded treble damages, the cost of the suit, and reasonable attorney’s fees. House Bill 1429 originated from a study committee which reviewed the existing New Hampshire statutes on Consumer Protection.IOMA – NH participated in the study and requested a policy change under RSA 358-A, relative to the predatory pricing of goods and services. The prime sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Marshall “Lee” Quandt, agreed with the position of IOMA-NH, and added a 14th. section to the list of unlawful acts: “RSA 358-A: 2, XIV. Pricing of goods or services in a manner that tends to create or maintain a monopoly, or otherwise harm competition.” This new section, under RSA 358-A:2, makes predatory pricing illegal. The new law takes effect on July 17, 2002. The new law establishes a policy for the businesses of New Hampshire based upon fairness, and encourages competition which will help keep prices low for consumers. Whether you are in the business of selling gasoline or prescription drugs, the new law prohibiting predatory pricing will serve as leverage to be used against the large retailers who attempt to crush small business.The prime Sponsor of HB 1429, Representative Marshall Quandt stated: ” People usually think the consumer protection laws only protect individuals against big business. They also serve to protect small business against big business.New Hampshire’s economy relies on the successes of our small businesses. To allow large corporations to bully small operators out of the market is contrary to New Hampshire’s ideology and contrary to the goals of consumer protection. If small businesses fail, there will be no competition and consumers will pay more. The passage of HB 1429 should be a warning to large conglomerates – New Hampshire expects fair competition, not predatory pricing and that the consumer will be treated fairly.”

For further information on the new predatory pricing law in New Hampshire, contact Jodi Grimbilas at the Bianco Professional Association: [email protected]

Like this article?

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Linkdin
Share on Pinterest
Picture of Al Norman

Al Norman

Al Norman first achieved national attention in October of 1993 when he successfully stopped Wal-Mart from locating in his hometown of Greenfield, Massachusetts. Almost 3 decades later they is still not Wal-Mart in Greenfield. Norman has appeared on 60 Minutes, was featured in three films, wrote 3 books about Wal-Mart, and gained widespread media attention from the Wall Street Journal to Fortune magazine. Al has traveled throughout the U.S., Barbados, Puerto Rico, Ireland, and Japan, helping dozens of local coalitions fight off unwanted sprawl development. 60 Minutes called Al “the guru of the anti-Wal-Mart movement.”

Leave a comment

Find Us

  • 21 Grinnell St, Greenfield, MA
  • (413) 834-4284
  • [email protected]

Helpful Links

  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Recent Posts

Facebook testing encrypted chat backups – CNBC

September 14, 2022

Facebook is shutting down its live shopping feature on October 1 – TechCrunch

September 14, 2022

Introducing Home and Feeds on Facebook – Facebook

September 14, 2022

Facebook to allow up to five profiles tied to one account – Reuters

September 14, 2022

Facebook tells managers to identify low performers in memo – The Washington Post

September 14, 2022

Meta is dumping Facebook logins as its metaverse ID system – TechCrunch

September 14, 2022

Introducing Features to Quickly Find and Connect with Facebook Groups – Facebook

September 14, 2022

Facebook plans ‘discovery engine’ feed change to compete with TikTok – The Verge

September 14, 2022

Wow, Facebook really knows how to give someone a send-off! – TechCrunch

September 14, 2022

Here’s What You Need to Know About Our Updated Privacy Policy and Terms of Service – Facebook

September 14, 2022

Recent Tweets

Ⓒ 2020 - All Rights Are Reserved

Design and Development by Just Peachy Web Design

Download Our Free Guide

Download our Free Guide

Learn How To Stop Big Box Stores And Fulfillment Warehouses In Your Community

The strategies written here were produced by Sprawl-Busters in 2006 at the request of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), mainly for citizen groups that were fighting Walmart. But the tips for fighting unwanted development apply to any project—whether its fighting Dollar General, an Amazon warehouse, or a Home Depot.

Big projects, or small, these BATTLEMART TIPS will help you better understand what you are up against, and how to win your battle.