59 Florists Fined in Valentine's Day Raid

[CHR]

59 Bulgarian Florists Fined in Valentine's Day Raid

Business: 14 February 2006, Tuesday.

Fifty-nine florists were fined after Bulgaria's Economy and Energy Minister Rumen Ovcharov ordered sudden checks into the work and prices of all flower retailers on Valentine's Day.

The practices and prices of 167 florists throughout Bulgaria were examined by experts from the Commission for trade and consumers protection. Those that were deemed faulty will have to pay about EUR 30,000 altogether in fines varying from EUR 250 to EUR 1,000.

The checks have been ordered after the Economy and Energy Ministry received signals that there has been drastic increase in the prices of flowers.

Wow. Had no idea there were price controls on flowers in Bulgaria. Wonder what they plan to do about all the Bulgarian-reigstered OG's that no doubt did the same.

Can't seem to find any other details on this story but I'd love to hear them. Did locate http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?r=1&catid=88&ch=0&newsid=82663 which says

CTCP said that many citizens had signalled the Ministry of Economy and Energy about increased prices of flowers on the market.

Can you imagine consumers calling the FTC to report that florists were raised their prices?

Added: http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?focus=scan&sid=924

269 check-ups were made; 73 tradesmen were fined: 25 in Sofia, 13 in Varna (eastern Bulgaria), 17 in Plovdiv (central Bulgaria), 11 in Rousse (northern Bulgaria), 3 in Bourgas (eastern Bulgaria) and 4 in Montana (western Bulgaria).
CTCP fined the tradesmen because it was found the price of the flowers was more than four times higher than it should be.

Emphasis mine. Anyone care to define 'should be'? *still shaking head*