Answer

This depends on the location of the business and the culture. For example in North America and many parts of the world this is a common situation.

First I would question if it was a scam at all

It is also not always a scam, for example stores in prime locations in a visible location get more customers walking into their store and for this they may pay three times the rent as a store just around the block. As a result the customer pays for convenience by paying twice as much. By buying at a more expensive place you often get a non tangible like brand or convince.

The options in North America to prevent this is people tell each other where to buy the cheapest item.

If predetory pricing is taking place then the government can in act regulations to limit price increases or the price.

For in many locations the basics that people need are regulated. Like power, water, fuel, rent and phone

In North America paying twice as much is not usually a volilation of someone's rights.