Brooklyn – Councilman David G. Greenfield is asking the Department of Consumer Affairs to investigate whether some car washes in Brooklyn are overcharging for pre-Pesach cleanings. It is well known throughout the frum community that area car washes run “Passover Specials,” but it isn’t clear whether these limited-time offerings are a bargain or a way for local businesses to take advantage of a particular segment of the community.
“These are serious allegations and I have reached out to the Department of Consumer Affairs to request an investigation,” said Councilman Greenfield. “After receiving complaints about exorbitant prices for pre-Pesach car cleanings, my office investigated and I was, frankly, shocked to find that local merchants are exploiting members of the Jewish community in Brooklyn during such an important and already expensive holiday.”
Over the course of several days, members of Councilman Greenfield’s staff called over 40 car washes across Brooklyn to inquire about prices for an interior and exterior cleaning. In the course of their investigation, some staff members were asked if they were Jewish or if the cleaning was for Passover. On several occasions, staff members who replied affirmatively were quoted a different, more expensive price for the exact same set of services than those who indicated they were not Jewish or that the cleaning was not for Passover.
“Pre-Pesach cleaning is more than just spring cleaning,” explained Councilman Greenfield. “Observant Jews clean their homes and cars to ensure that there is no chametz, or leavened products, which are forbidden by the Torah during Pesach. I want to see our local businesses thrive, but I do not want their success to come at the expense of ripping off members of the community.”
One of the worst offenders, a major car wash on Coney Island Avenue, which advertises their pre-Pesach services aggressively in the Flatbush and Boro Park neighborhoods of Brooklyn, quoted a non-Jewish staff member a price of $75 to detail a mini-van that was described as incredibly dirty and in need of the car wash’s best possible cleaning service. That price included vacuuming, shampooing and waxing of the interior, but was only quoted after confirming that the caller was not Jewish. The day before, a Jewish staff member was only offered the “Passover Special” for a price of $100 for the exact same services — a nearly 35% markup.
“We’re sending a message to these business that it is unacceptable to exploit anyone based on their ethnicity or religious beliefs. As a community, we simply cannot tolerate pre-Pesach price gouging,” concluded Councilman Greenfield. “I encourage everyone to call and confirm the price of a car wash before heading over for a pre-Pesach cleaning. Once you’ve waited on line, and the car wash gives you a higher price, it is difficult to leave and go elsewhere.”
(YWN Desk – NYC)
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15 Responses
Maybe he should launch an investigation into the Matzah Bakeries and every Jewish grocery store.
They should go after dry cleaners as well who play the same game. Once they know that something is a religious object the price gets hiked up. A friend just told me that her local dry cleaners would charge $1.99 for a kittel (thinking it was a long white shirt). Once he was enlightened from someone that it’s actually a religious garmet, he changed his price to $7.50!
Here in Chicago’s very Jewish 50th Ward, the Pre-Pesach car wash was a very pleasant — no cost — experience. We thank Ward Committeeman (and State Senator) Ira Silverstein and Alderman-Elect Debra Silverstein, a wonderful (Shomrei Torah UMitzvos) couple, for subsidizing the “free” coupons and convincing the providers to provide courteous service.
Best wishes to the Silversteins for Hatzlachah in all their endeavors and for Chag Kasher VeSameach.
IS IT NOT POSSIBLE THAT THEY KNOW THEY MUST CLEAN THE CAR MUCH MORE THOROUGHLY WITH A PESACH CLEANING? more than a regular dirty car? What happened to benefit of the doubt. I would think more time goes into cleaning a pesach car than would a non-pesach car. ALSO i love how MEDIA (including author of this article) SPIN things. Example: The fact they offer a different price for jews vs non jews MUST mean they are overcharging jews??? IF the pesach cars do take more time, then THEY ARE CHARGING JEWS MORE, appropriately. IS that not a feasbile reason as to why they ask if your are calling for a pesach or regular cleaning??? Makes sense to me….even if i am wrong, WE MUST give benefit of the doubt to other JEWS.
#1 – There is a difference here. The laws of supplies and demand would justify the price increase this time of year. If within a 1-2 week period the demand for the car wash services goes up 1,000%, it would make sense to raise the prices, as people would be willing to pay it.
Based on this article, it seems the issue is they are charging more for specifically to Orthodox Jews for the same service performed during the same time of year for Non-Jewish customers.
However, this does seem like a good opportunity for a Jewish person to offer these cleaning services for $50 a car and compete with the over-priced car washes.
If you heard what many car washes in Israel charge pre-Pesach, you wouldn’t complain about the NY prices.
I got charged the usual price at a car wash today.
Price gouging is asur under halachah. The Rabbinical Council of America has a longstanding position paper urging Jews to follow the halachah during the pre-Pesach period.
#1, you are right on, the outrageous prices that we see in the local kosher groceries and supermarkets all year round are hard enough to believe, when it comes to kosher l’pesach items it quite hard to justify. Yes I know that there are costs involved in running products special for kosher and kosher supervision costs, and the ingredients for pesach are more, but it still does not add up.
This is insane, to over-charge Jews because they need the job done anyway!!!Crazy!
And, how about cleaning your cars out some other way?! There are plenty of other ways to get the job.
How about your vacuum, or the gas station’s vacuum? It just costs a couple of quarters, and your done!!!
#4, I think I see what you’re saying & it’s a good point that the article doesn’t really mention to us if there is actually a more thorough cleaning taking place.
You’re right, the cars in the article may be just as filthy, but that doesn’t mean the shops might not be doing extra work getting things out of the nooks & crannies.
However, I think the article is showing that car washes are advertising “Pesach Specials” (which makes it seem like it’s a bargain, but isn’t) & that since Jews aren’t even GIVEN the option of choosing which service they wanted then they are being shielded from the truth that they are actually paying more…at least that’s what I’m getting out of it.
Politicians – mostly Jewish, as I recall – have been complaining about pre-Pesach price-gouging for at least 20 years. If there were actual discrimination against Jews for the same goods and services as gentiles buy, e.g., car washes, there should be prosecutions under federal and state laws. I suspect that the politicians’ complaints are pandering, rather than actual concern for enforcement of the law.
There are extra costs associated with producing kosher l’pesach foods, and until someone does the hard work of determining whether actual price-gouging is going on, I will remain skeptical of the complaints.
And by the way, have you noticed – not that we should – how Xmas decorations are really cheap every year after about December 25? Not to mention all the other merchandise that that is suddenly cheaper after that date. It’s probably simple economics, not price-gouging.
Greenfield should focus his energies on getting the orthodox people a way to cool off in the sweltering 90 degree temperatures that will soon be upon us. Orthodox Jews represent a large part of the population and they should be represented on this issue. I can not bear to watch religious children on the hot city streets simply because their parents can not afford to rent or travel to the mountains. It is time Jewish politicians tackled Jewish issues. Forget the potholes and the car washes – its all nonsense.
Of course, people could always clean their own cars instead of paying someone else to do it.
Who cares about car washes? Start with a grocery items first. The food companies are owned by Yiddish people who put the prices crazy high. Nobody cares about that?
Personally, I think he should find better things to do with his time than slamming car washes.