4. The state of North Carolina has, as do many other states, a law against socalled "price gouging.\" Price gouging is dened to be an excessively high price. The law can be fairly complicated, but here is the exact wording of North Carolina General Statute 3'5-38: "Upon a triggering event, it is prohibited and shall be a violation of {3.5. T5-1.1 for any person to sell or rent or offer to sell or rent any goods or services which are consumed or used as a direct result of an emergency or which are consumed or used to preserve, protect, or sustain life, health, safety, or economic well-being of persons or their property with the knowledge and