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New York car wash charged extra for Passover service because ‘their cars are so dirty’
The business was accused of tripling its prices for visibly Jewish customers
April 1, 2025 13:52
By, Jewish News Syndicate
2 min read
The business was accused of tripling its prices for visibly Jewish customers
April 1, 2025 13:52ByVita Fellig, Jewish News Syndicate
A car wash in Rockland County, New York, has been accused of discriminating against Jewish customers after charging more for their services over Passover.
An investigation by State Attorney General Letitia James’ office found that, in the weeks leading up to the Jewish holiday, Super 4 Seasons advertised a “Passover special” cleaning promotion that cost more than three times its standard price for the same service.
The state opened an investigation of the car wash in April 2024, after several Jewish customers filed complaints with the AG’s office alleging that the business was charging $169 for a cleaning service that typically cost $47.
Since at least 2018, the company has advertised its cleaning services specifically as a Passover holiday promotion but Jewish customers reported that they were denied access to standard service packages and were instead steered toward the higher-priced Passover promotions, according to the state’s investigation.
In a sting operation, the state sent two investigators to the site – one dressed in a manner that suggested the person was an Orthodox Jew and the other in non-religious attire. The investigator dressed as an Orthodox Jew was apparently told that the company is “not doing anything except shampoos and Passover cleanings right now,” and “we are doing this just for you guys”.
Yet the other state investigator asked for standard service and was given one at a regular price.
“When he enquired about the promotion, an employee responded that it was ‘for Jews,’ adding that they needed to pay more ‘because their cars are so dirty,’” investigators reported. The state “recovered sales records for this same period, confirming that regular services had, in fact, been provided throughout the holiday,” the report added.
“Targeting Jewish New Yorkers with deceptive pricing around Passover is a clear act of religious discrimination and will not be tolerated,” said James. “Every New Yorker, regardless of their faith, deserves to be treated fairly and equally. My office will not hesitate to hold businesses accountable when they exploit families’ religious observance.”
She also issued a consumer alert last week warning Jewish New Yorkers more generally to be cautious of illegal price-gouging practices ahead of the upcoming Passover holiday.
“As Passover approaches, I urge Jewish New Yorkers who feel that they may have been a victim of discriminatory price gouging to contact my office,” she stated.
James added: “My office has zero tolerance for any discrimination and anyone who engages in practices to unfairly raise prices on the Jewish community as they prepare for Passover will be held accountable.
“No New Yorker should be taken advantage of during a holiday season and forced to pay more for a service because of their religion."
The AG’s office stated that the car wash did not contest the findings and was ordered to end the practice of price gouging, particularly in relation to advertising special services connected with religious holidays. Non-compliance would result in a $75,000, it concluded.