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Post by billmasen on Feb 18, 2021 3:15:38 GMT -6
PRICE GOUGING in TX, empty supermarkets are seeing TAKE AWAYS are ramming up prices often by $50. Also Apparently Ted Cruze senior TX politician abandoned TX for Cancun in the middle of the crisis.
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Post by kelabar on Feb 18, 2021 4:05:13 GMT -6
Oh, FFS, "price gouging" doesn't exist. It's lefty-speak for "people are making money without the gov, this cannot be allowed (ie where's our bribe?)!" If you don't want $50 take away don't buy it. If it is worth it to you, then buy it. Supply and demand, business owners need to make money to pay their bills and feed their kids. They aren't gov who just create more money whenever they want. Or should they live in poverty because you think it is a good idea?
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Post by billmasen on Feb 18, 2021 4:46:34 GMT -6
Oh, FFS, "price gouging" doesn't exist. It's lefty-speak for "people are making money without the gov, this cannot be allowed (ie where's our bribe?)!" If you don't want $50 take away don't buy it. If it is worth it to you, then buy it. Supply and demand, business owners need to make money to pay their bills and feed their kids. They aren't gov who just create more money whenever they want. Or should they live in poverty because you think it is a good idea? Back on topic, it hit 100 degrees yesterday, was 73 this morning, went close to 100 today (if it didn't get there) and is forecast to be a few degrees warmer tomorrow. Dropping down about 10 degrees after that. Was windy today but, thankfully, not enough to kick up a dust storm. Not as hot as usual for an Aus summer but "I no complain"! These businesses were making NORMAL profits in normal times,if they were not making enough money before then they should have increased their price THEN. Now they are just ripping off the needy and vulnerable in a crisis who cannot get food elsewhere because of the ice storm and power outages, That gouging in my book.
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Post by dirtdiva on Feb 18, 2021 6:58:39 GMT -6
Should price gouging be acceptable? Prosecuted or monitored by government? Natural law of supply and demand vs. taking advantage of the vulnerable masses?
Thoughts, comments or observations.
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Post by dirtdiva on Feb 18, 2021 7:07:56 GMT -6
In this general area I mostly see this happening with small local businesses and some more than others. I think it will always be a problem with government intervention or not. From a preppers standpoint I think in a SHTF situation it will become common practice but eventually evolve into a barter type of situation.
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Post by kelabar on Feb 18, 2021 9:02:40 GMT -6
I honestly don't understand people views on this. People start businesses to make money. That is it. They don't do it so they can run at a loss, and the business doesn't last long if it does. They don't go into business to "help people in a warm and fuzzy way that makes them feel good". That is the job of charity organizations. They usually risk everything to have a go, some make it, others don't. At the end of the day the business gets measured in the balance sheet. More $ in than out and you win.
But they don't put a gun to your head and say "you must buy this at whatever price I dictate or else". They offer items and if you want them you pay for them. If the price is too high, don't buy. In bill's example it is a case of "Gee, I would really like a feed of fish and chips but they want me to pay $50 more than last time". Well, have a sandwich instead, and save some money. It aint rocket science.
As to depriving the vulnerable and needy, I can't really see not being able to have the vindaloo you want as a violation of your basic human rights. Even if you are completely broke and miles from home all you need to do in any developed country is to go into the nearest church, synagogue or mosque and you will be fed. "Oh, but I wanted kebabs with hot sauce and the church doesn't have that." Well, boo hoo!
It comes across as whining about what other people (business owners) are doing. If you pay their bills then you can tell them what to do, if not then shut up. Go somewhere else if it is too expensive at one store.
What do you want? Gov to artificially set prices low? Or executions if people make more money than you think they should be allowed to? Maybe everything could go into a communal pool and be distributed to people equally and free of charge?
Historically the greatest civilizations have had abundant trade and commerce. If people can make their lives better by making more money then they are willing to do this as the reward is worth the effort. If they can't make money then the whole thing falls apart. When was the last time you went to your job knowing that you wouldn't get paid? Never? Same with business owners, why would they give up their time and effort to run a business to supply you with goods or services if they don't get any reward for it?
I was going to suggest to a business owner recently that they increase their prices, but they had already done so. Why would I do this? Because they gave excellent service and their prices were well under their competitor's prices. I don't want to pay more, I'm cheap, but I wanted them to stay in business so I could trade with them. It was worth it to me to pay more.
Same deal everywhere. If you want the business there, support it. With local businesses I have found that they look after their regular customers. Strangers get less access to limited stock and get charged full price. Regulars get first go at items and discounts.
Supply and demand works and gave us the civilization we have today. Don't start whining now when you are fat, dumb and happy because others don't do what you think they should. There are too many people running around pissing and moaning about "how things should be according to me" when the only reason they are fat, dumb and happy is the efforts of others whether in business or any field.
End rant!
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Post by dirtdiva on Feb 18, 2021 9:19:25 GMT -6
Having owned several businesses in my lifetime the reality is I have ABC in my inventory. It cost me let's say $5 to purchase that item at cost. But when I sell that item in an emergency at the usual mark up price I am likely to have to pay an increase to restock that item back into inventory at inflated prices. That justifies a price increase. Simple mathematics. I do not necessarily think it is necessary to do a 100% markup but that would just be my own personal moral code. I would also have to think about not "pissing off" my customer to the point that they would never return.
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Post by FreakyJ on Feb 21, 2021 21:06:14 GMT -6
So economics 101. Supply and demand...
Supply is very high with low demand = price is low (This is the worst case for a business) (100 loafs of bread. 10 people wanting bread)
Supply is moderate with moderate demand. (10 loaves of bread 10 people want bread.) = price is normal and sales are steady. (This is normally how things are with basic consumer goods)
Supply is low and demand is high. (10 loaves of bread, 50 people wanting a loaf) = price skyrockets until people are unwilling to pay for the product. (This is good short term for a business but bad long term)
Now personally I'd rather made a dime off of you 50 times than a dollar once. But if my services or products are so limited that I'm either going to make a dime or a dollar... Well I'm gonna make that dollar, if not more.
Now with what's happening in Texas... Yes I think it's awful. Yes I would hate to be in their shoes right now. That's just how life goes. Sometimes your plates overflowing, sometimes your picking at crumbs. That is exactly why when my plate is overflowing. I'm prepping and stocking things away. So that when it's time to pick it crumbs I have something to fall back on. And I assume that is what every person on this forum is doing. 2020 created a lot of preppers. Hopefully 2021 creates some more.
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Post by frostbite on Feb 23, 2021 1:37:59 GMT -6
Supply and demand seems to override a moral conscience for some people. Only human filth take advantage of someone in need. And yes, I ran a home business for a while. Never took advantage of anyone, even gave serving miitary personnel a discount.
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