I'm always confused by the contradiction implied by the fact that the "free market economy" seems proud that the price of any good or service should be defined

I'm always confused by the contradiction implied by the fact that the "free market economy" seems proud that the price of any good or service should be defined by what people are willing to pay, until such time that people aren't willing to pay for it at all. After which, not paying for it rapidly becomes a criminal offense. Somehow reminds me of Mozart and Allegri's Miserere.