Georgia Agency Targeting 'Wholesale' Claim

Dalton, GA, Nov. 22, 2010 -- The Georgia Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection has begun levying fines with the threat of jail sentences against several sellers who use the word “wholesale” in their advertising — whether on billboards, in their literature or the vastness of the Internet, according to a story in the Dalton Daily Citizen.

According to the story, some in the industry are alleging the office is using the fines to build up revenues for state coffers.

But others, like Craig Vaughn of Georgia Carpet Industries, contend that “big box” retailers are concerned Northwest Georgia carpet dealers are hurting the retailers’ business and they’ve pressured the state to use an obscure piece of legislation to target local carpet sellers.

Local attorney Greg Kinnamon, who is representing some of the carpet businesses, said violation of the ordinance is a misdemeanor that could draw a fine of up to $1,000 and possibly include a year of jail time. A handful of carpet sellers have changed their advertising and paid thousands of dollars in fines each just to get the state agency off their backs.