I think this comes down to how you think over purchasing in a shortage works. Is it a large number of people buying just a little bit extra just in case or is

I think this comes down to how you think over purchasing in a shortage works. Is it a large number of people buying just a little bit extra just in case or is it a small number of people buying a whole lot extra just in case? If it's the later rationing seems reasonable; if it's the former increasing the price a small amount would work.