Report Price Gouging, Refunds & Deceptive Ads - Ann Arbor

Business and Consumer Protection Michigan 3 Minutes Read · published March 01, 2026 Flag of Michigan

In Ann Arbor, Michigan, consumers and businesses can report suspected price gouging, refund refusals, and deceptive advertising to municipal and state authorities. Start by documenting transactions, receipts, screenshots, and correspondence; check the City of Ann Arbor Code of Ordinances for local rules and definitions [1]. If a local ordinance does not specify a remedy, the state Attorney General and federal agencies may have authority for deceptive practices or emergency price restrictions.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement depends on the governing instrument: city ordinance provisions, state consumer protection statutes, and federal consumer laws where applicable. Exact fines and penalty schedules vary by statute or ordinance; if a specific fine is not listed on the controlling page, it will be noted as "not specified on the cited page." The primary local reference is the Ann Arbor Code of Ordinances which defines municipal rules and enforcement mechanisms.[1]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page for price-gouging or deceptive-advertising penalties in the local code; see the cited ordinance page for any numeric fines or civil penalties.[1]
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited page when numeric escalation is not published; consult the enforcing department for case-by-case escalation details.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to cease deceptive practices, injunctions, consumer restitution, and referral to courts or licensing actions may be used where the ordinance or statute allows; specific remedies may be listed in ordinance sections or state law.
  • Enforcer and complaint pathways: municipal code enforcement or licensing divisions handle local violations; complaints can be submitted to the City of Ann Arbor and to the Michigan Attorney General for statewide consumer protection issues.
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes depend on the issuing body (administrative hearing, city council review, or court appeal); time limits for appeals are specified in the controlling ordinance or administrative order and are not specified on the cited municipal code page when absent.[1]
Keep original receipts and timestamps when you suspect price gouging or deceptive ads.

Applications & Forms

The city does not publish a dedicated municipal form labeled specifically for "price gouging" complaints on the referenced code page; file complaints using the City of Ann Arbor complaint/report channels or submit a consumer complaint to the Michigan Attorney General for state-level action. Where a municipal form exists it will be identified on the city complaint portal or department pages; if no form is published, a written complaint or online submission is typically accepted.[1]

Common Violations

  • Charging excessive or sharply increased prices for essential goods during declared emergencies.
  • False or misleading product claims, bait-and-switch offers, or failure to disclose key fees or restrictions.
  • Refusal to issue refunds where local law or stated policy requires them.

Action Steps

  • Document: capture receipts, dates, photos, screenshots, and communications.
  • Contact the seller first in writing and request refund or correction; keep copies.
  • File a city complaint via Ann Arbor complaint channels and include attachments.
  • If unresolved, file a complaint with the Michigan Attorney General or the FTC for deceptive advertising.
Act quickly to preserve perishable evidence and timestamps for emergency price-gouging claims.

FAQ

Who enforces price gouging and deceptive advertising in Ann Arbor?
The City of Ann Arbor enforces local ordinances where applicable; statewide enforcement for consumer fraud and price gouging is handled by the Michigan Attorney General. For federal deceptive advertising matters, the FTC may have jurisdiction.
What evidence should I collect?
Collect receipts, order confirmations, photographs of posted prices or ads, screenshots of online listings, dates/times, and records of communications with the seller.
Can I get a refund or restitution?
Refunds depend on merchant policy, local ordinance, or state consumer-protection remedies; you can request a refund from the seller and file complaints with city or state agencies to seek restitution.

How-To

  1. Gather evidence: receipts, photos, screenshots, and communications related to the transaction.
  2. Contact the seller in writing requesting a refund or correction and note the response timeline.
  3. Submit a complaint to the City of Ann Arbor via the city complaint portal and attach evidence.
  4. If unresolved, file a complaint with the Michigan Attorney General’s consumer protection unit and with the FTC for deceptive advertising.
  5. Preserve all records and follow appeal instructions provided by the enforcing agency.
Filing with both the city and the state can increase chances of enforcement or restitution.

Key Takeaways

  • Document transactions and evidence promptly.
  • Use city complaint channels and state consumer-protection offices for escalation.
  • Monetary penalties and specific remedies vary; consult the cited ordinance or enforcing agency for details.[1]

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Ann Arbor Code of Ordinances

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