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> Whether or not you think that's reasonable though is pretty much the definition of whether or not you think it's price gouging. Define "price gouging". Is c

> Whether or not you think that's reasonable though is pretty much the definition of whether or not you think it's price gouging. Define "price gouging". Is charging the price the market will bear based on supply and demand "gouging"? Look, I personally think markets need to be regulated to serve the people. But one person's "gouging" is another person's free market price discovery during a supply shock. Unless there's evidence of cartel-like behaviour--i.e. price fixing--this is just the way free markets work. Don't like it? Regulate it.

zamadatix 4y ago
Again what you quote is precisely the definition you are seeking. Quite literally price gouging is simply another way to say "I think this price increase due to this abnormal market situation is unfair". It doesn't define how something should be considered unfair and it doesn't define what an abnormal market situation is rather it defines one's view on the situation. To try to debate price gouging on whether it is instead of why it is is therefore a bit misguided, as is comparing it to economic laws like supply and demand where it's completely orthogonal to how the market operates and instead focuses on why it does in bad situations. In regards to "regulate it" price gouging laws are one type of regulation. Typically for government price gouging laws to kick in the government has to declare the situation an emergency but that doesn't limit what each person can consider price gouging. Personally I don't think this is quite price gouging territory. The market situation is funky vs the normal situation for sure but it's not exactly a crisis driving people to buy eggs they have to get at inflated prices rather a problem lowering the supply of eggs which isn't enough to tick the box for me. Particularly at these prices. Others may disagree of course.

zamadatix 4y ago

Again what you quote is precisely the definition you are seeking. Quite literally price gouging is simply another way to say "I think this price increase due to this abnormal market situation is unfair". It doesn't define how something should be considered unfair and it doesn't define what an abnormal market situation is rather it defines one's view on the situation. To try to debate price gouging on whether it is instead of why it is is therefore a bit misguided, as is comparing it to economic laws like supply and demand where it's completely orthogonal to how the market operates and instead focuses on why it does in bad situations. In regards to "regulate it" price gouging laws are one type of regulation. Typically for government price gouging laws to kick in the government has to declare the situation an emergency but that doesn't limit what each person can consider price gouging. Personally I don't think this is quite price gouging territory. The market situation is funky vs the normal situation for sure but it's not exactly a crisis driving people to buy eggs they have to get at inflated prices rather a problem lowering the supply of eggs which isn't enough to tick the box for me. Particularly at these prices. Others may disagree of course.