A state law in Oklahoma says shoppers must pay more for merchandise than their counterparts in other states.  The Unfair Sales Act requires Oklahoma retailers to have at least a 6% markup on merchandise. KTEN's Hailee Holliday has the story.

     The act has been in affect since 1949 and prohibits retailers from selling merchandise below cost. One of the disappointing results of the act is that consumers see certain items advertised for one price, and then quickly find out when they reach a store that the price is much higher because of the state law.  Ardmore's Sue Fernando has been in the retail business for 33-years and never knew about the act. Fernando, along with other Oklahoma shoppers feel the act lives up to its name, unfair.  

 Fernando says, "I think it seems ridiculous. If we buy the merchandise then we should be able to sell the merchandise at whatever price that we want to charge for it and if we lose money on it, then that's part of being in business".

Local shopper, Holli Mitchell said, "It doesn't make much sense to considering how close we are to the Texas border. It would seem like they should make the prices the same".    

  According to the Oklahoma State Courts Network, the Oklahoma Legislature made the selling, advertising, and offering to sell merchandise at less than the seller's cost a misdemeanor  it also says disobeying the act could result in a punishment of a $500 fine.

Hailee Holliday, KTEN News