When retailers take advantage of these spikes in demand (often coupled with supply bottlenecks) by charging exorbitant prices for necessities, it's referred to as "price gouging."
Yes, price gouging exists, plane ticket prices go up, rare items get expensive, retailers will also charge more because they know the consumer has no choice but to buy from them... ever bought a soda from DisneyWorld? or any other theme park?
It's all part of capitalism, anti-gouging laws are actually more harmful than helpful. They create shortages. If walmart had raised it's prices as demand for toilet paper went up , they probably would not have been cleaned out. You certainly would not have seen very many people buying 20 packs of toilet paper if they cost $30 each instead of $3.
Ebay is one of the last reserves of needed products, and if everyone sold at store value, they would have gotten cleaned out just like everyone else.
High prices on ebay also encourage individuals to give up some of their stash, and help relieve some of the shortage.
