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While that would probably work, it may not be legal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_gouging https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_gouging

by jefftk 7y ago

dannyw 7y ago
Is Uber surge pricing price gouging?
- harimau777 7y ago
  I'm not certain, but I think it would only be considered price gouging if it were in response to an emergency. It might also be price gouging in response to a shortage but I think that "shortage" in that case would more mean something like "the NYC subway is completely shutdown" rather than just rush hour or after a concert ends.
- jefftk 7y ago
  Some people think so! But price gouging is usually defined as being in response to emergencies, which a pandemic is and a sharp spike in Uber demand may (a tsunami) or may not (bars closing at 2am) be.
- jsight 7y ago
  Unfortunately, some people tend to think so.
- leetcrew 7y ago
  uber surge pricing might actually be a good thing in an emergency. unlike buying all the hand sanitizer at your local CVS to resell, it can actually increase the "supply" of drivers. of course, if this saturates the road capacity, it might be a net negative.
moron4hire 7y ago
>> Price-gouging is often defined in terms of the three criteria listed below: A) Period of emergency...B) Necessary items..., C) Price ceilings I would think "Non-essential" is the negation of "Necessary".
scarface74 7y ago
From the first line in your link. "Common examples include price increases of basic necessities after natural disasters." The parent post specifically said non-essential products.
- jefftk 7y ago
  The law is tricky, varies by state, and I think people are worried about falling on the wrong side of it. For example, here's what NJ uses to describe which goods are covered: "which is consumed or used to preserve, protect, or sustain the life, health, safety or comfort of persons or their property". This could include many things we consider "non-essential". Additionally, they're probably worried about public perception, even if it might be strictly legal.
  - scarface74 7y ago
    So if you sold at an auction like eBay would that be illegal?
    - jefftk 7y ago
      eBay thinks so: https://www.ebayinc.com/stories/news/we-are-actively-removing-price-gouging-prohibited-items-from-ebays-marketplace/ https://www.ebayinc.com/stories/news/we-are-actively-removin...

While that would probably work, it may not be legal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_gouging https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_gouging

by jefftk 7y ago

While that would probably work, it may not be legal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_gouging https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_gouging

dannyw 7y ago

Is Uber surge pricing price gouging?

harimau777 7y ago
I'm not certain, but I think it would only be considered price gouging if it were in response to an emergency. It might also be price gouging in response to a shortage but I think that "shortage" in that case would more mean something like "the NYC subway is completely shutdown" rather than just rush hour or after a concert ends.
jefftk 7y ago
Some people think so! But price gouging is usually defined as being in response to emergencies, which a pandemic is and a sharp spike in Uber demand may (a tsunami) or may not (bars closing at 2am) be.
jsight 7y ago
Unfortunately, some people tend to think so.
leetcrew 7y ago
uber surge pricing might actually be a good thing in an emergency. unlike buying all the hand sanitizer at your local CVS to resell, it can actually increase the "supply" of drivers. of course, if this saturates the road capacity, it might be a net negative.

moron4hire 7y ago

>> Price-gouging is often defined in terms of the three criteria listed below: A) Period of emergency...B) Necessary items..., C) Price ceilings I would think "Non-essential" is the negation of "Necessary".

scarface74 7y ago

From the first line in your link. "Common examples include price increases of basic necessities after natural disasters." The parent post specifically said non-essential products.

jefftk 7y ago
The law is tricky, varies by state, and I think people are worried about falling on the wrong side of it. For example, here's what NJ uses to describe which goods are covered: "which is consumed or used to preserve, protect, or sustain the life, health, safety or comfort of persons or their property". This could include many things we consider "non-essential". Additionally, they're probably worried about public perception, even if it might be strictly legal.
- scarface74 7y ago
  So if you sold at an auction like eBay would that be illegal?
  - jefftk 7y ago
    eBay thinks so: https://www.ebayinc.com/stories/news/we-are-actively-removing-price-gouging-prohibited-items-from-ebays-marketplace/ https://www.ebayinc.com/stories/news/we-are-actively-removin...