Consumer Services

Price Gender Discrimination

Gender-Based Pricing is a Form of Discrimination
Charging more for products or services on the basis of a buyer's gender is against the law in Miami-Dade.

Pioneering legislation in Miami-Dade County was enacted to address unfair gender pricing practices making Miami-Dade the first county in Florida to pass consumer protection laws to protect consumers from gender price discrimination.

Under these laws a business is permitted to charge a different price if the goods or services involve more time, difficulty or cost. In other words, consideration must be given to the quality and complexity of the goods or services to determine whether or not the consumer has been discriminated against.

Limited legitimate discount programs based on gender are also permitted if they are not designed to exclude or deny others from the program. For example it is all right to advertise, "Ladies Free on Monday Night," as long as men are not prevented from patronizing the establishment.

If you think that a business has been unfair, deceptive, or discriminatory in its dealings with you try to settle the problem first with the business. If you cannot resolve the dispute directly with the business, call the Consumer Mediation Center at (305) 375-3677.

Click here to download our Gender Pricing and Dry Cleaning & Laundering Ordinances  brochure.

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