5 ms·

Since the demand is concentrated over such a short period I guess the simplest solution would be to have one price for all? This would encourage people to sho

by dazc 5y ago

Since the demand is concentrated over such a short period I guess the simplest solution would be to have one price for all? This would encourage people to shop early as they would get the pick of the crop - so to speak. Latecomers to the party would have less choice, obviously, but would still be incentivised to buy anyway since there are not that many alternative pathches to choose from in a given area. The price could also be reduced as time goes by so the day before halloween you're almost certain to sell the most amount possible.

lotsofpulp 5y ago
Pumpkins are an expiring good. To move as many as possible as quickly as possible while also collecting as high of a price as each person is able/willing to pay, it is best for the seller to offer many versions of the pumpkins at many price points. Aka selling different styles of pumpkin at different price per weight. The seller can sell to people willing to pay more for various styles, and people willing to pay more for various sizes. And to people wanting to spend less, and everyone in between. Which is what already happens.
- dazc 5y ago
  I would agree with you but, from my limited observation, there seems to be an awful lot of pumkins left over after halloween has been and gone. Maybe what already happens isn't the best way?
  - lotsofpulp 5y ago
    I have no idea. I generally assume markets with many participants that have existed for many years and with seemingly no regulations, are the way they are because various constraints of nature have tended towards that solution. One would need to know what a typical amount of waste is and the cause of that waste to determine if there is too much waste and how to fix it. But I am guessing whatever waste there is now is a pretty optimal amount of waste unless there is some new development that reduces the volatility of producing pumpkins. Farming in general is like that, since so many variables are outside of peoples’ control. You have to aim for extra even if you are not projecting to sell all of it, assuming the cost of making the extra is absorbable.

by dazc 5y ago

lotsofpulp 5y ago

Pumpkins are an expiring good. To move as many as possible as quickly as possible while also collecting as high of a price as each person is able/willing to pay, it is best for the seller to offer many versions of the pumpkins at many price points. Aka selling different styles of pumpkin at different price per weight. The seller can sell to people willing to pay more for various styles, and people willing to pay more for various sizes. And to people wanting to spend less, and everyone in between. Which is what already happens.

dazc 5y ago
I would agree with you but, from my limited observation, there seems to be an awful lot of pumkins left over after halloween has been and gone. Maybe what already happens isn't the best way?
- lotsofpulp 5y ago
  I have no idea. I generally assume markets with many participants that have existed for many years and with seemingly no regulations, are the way they are because various constraints of nature have tended towards that solution. One would need to know what a typical amount of waste is and the cause of that waste to determine if there is too much waste and how to fix it. But I am guessing whatever waste there is now is a pretty optimal amount of waste unless there is some new development that reduces the volatility of producing pumpkins. Farming in general is like that, since so many variables are outside of peoples’ control. You have to aim for extra even if you are not projecting to sell all of it, assuming the cost of making the extra is absorbable.