Georgia Legislators Critical of 'Wholesale' Action

Dalton, GA, Dec. 10, 2010 -- Georgia legislators said they will act to protect Dalton's carpet businesses from censure by the Governor's Office of Consumer Protection over describing themselves as "wholesalers" in advertising, according to a story in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Speaking at a panel discussion at Dalton State College, Rep. Roger Williams, R-Dalton, said the state office pounced on Northwest Georgia carpet dealers who use the word "wholesale" in their names or advertising.

Several dealers recently received notices from the consumer protection office telling them to stop calling themselves wholesalers or face legal action.

Under Georgia law, the word "wholesale" can only be used in advertising when it refers to a business selling a product for another business to resell and not to vendors selling to the general public.

State Rep. Tom Dickson, R-Cohutta said dozens of businesses in the Dalton area alone -- whose names had been approved by the secretary of state's office when they incorporated -- would be hurt by the enforcement.

The lawmakers alleged that the agency was acting at the behest of Atlanta carpet dealers who didn't want to lose sales to competitors up Interstate 75.