Price Gouging

I would like to address the price gauging going on in Highlands County. A lady wrote a letter on Sunday and I agree with her totally.

Glades Electric needs to come in and take over all of Highlands County. They provide much better service, are more reliable, local and cheaper.

The second issue was buying various products in Highlands County. The businesses in Highlands County are pricing themselves right out of business. I can go to a Dollar Tree and get a loaf of bread for $1; the same loaf of wheat bread in the chain stores is $2.79 and up. If Dollar Tree can sell not only bread but hot dog and hamburger rolls and other specialty breads for $1, why can't the chain stores do the same?

Now there are the thrift stores in the county. All items are "donated," but they are charging outrageous prices for the used furniture. I can go out of Highlands County and buy furniture that is nice and clean, used, for a quarter of the price that is being charged here. For example, I needed four kitchen chairs, just plain chairs to sit on. I went to a thrift shop and they wanted $45. I went to Frostproof and bought some nicer chairs for $20.

When thrift stores were started it was for the people that could not afford new things. Now, the thrift stores are for the rich. My husband and I go out of the county to buy groceries, gas and anything else we need and I save as much as $200 per month. The residents here need to wake up and start shopping elsewhere and then maybe these businesses will wake up, because if it was not for the customers they would not have a job. If anyone has anything to donate, please give to Dolphin House or the Baptist Church on the Parkway. They take care of those in need and they do help.

Marie Pellett
Sebring