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re: Price gouging laws predictably lead to shortages
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:41 am to weagle99
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:41 am to weagle99
Again, other than the overblown stories of gas shortages, what did we run out of in Houston over a 3-4 day period? I'll tell you of one shortage. Bread. You can only buy 2 loaves/trip right now but shipments are moving in today since the roads opened yesterday. Houstonians survived without gouging over a 4 day period. Whew! I'm done with this stupidity. 
0
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:41 am to monceaux
quote:
She probably gets mad because you're intentionally being an a-hole.
Reality is a bitch, a-holes just point it out!
Just because you don't like that reality exists, doesn't make your fantasies come true.
No price gouging plus poor planning could have killed her. She can rage about reality all she wanted, but the worms would have eaten her regardless.
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:42 am to cwill
quote:
There's no problem getting anything anywhere in Houston other than flooded neighborhoods
There are no shortages of any kind anywhere in Houston?
If true, that's amazing and a testament to the evil corporate bastards.
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:42 am to Ebbandflow
quote:
Does not compute. Are you giving credit to the free market for the compassion of the individual?
Sounds like a sociopathic business owners way of explaining why he didn't need to help
It computes to normal people with even a modicum of understanding about economics and human behavior. I don't know if you realize this but "the individual" is essentially the entire make up of the free market so I don't know why you wouldn't "give credit to the free market for the compassion of the individual." That's exactly how it works. The "sociopathic business owners" (whoever they are) are effectively controlled by the individual and other business owners as you can see by what's going on in Texas and Louisiana right now.
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:42 am to Ebbandflow
What corporation?
I believe the free market is the most ethical system devised for society. Prices should be what demand dictates them to be, not some government dictated level.
I believe the free market is the most ethical system devised for society. Prices should be what demand dictates them to be, not some government dictated level.
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:43 am to weagle99
The silver lining is that they drive IB freeman insane
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:43 am to weagle99
How bout some of you economic geniuses postulate on hotel rooms.
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:44 am to Maniac979
What is different? Supply and demand should dictate price. Period.
If rooms are cheap I can afford individual rooms for me, my children,etc. The next guy misses out. If they are expensive I just get one room and next guy can get a room too.
If rooms are cheap I can afford individual rooms for me, my children,etc. The next guy misses out. If they are expensive I just get one room and next guy can get a room too.
This post was edited on 8/31/17 at 8:46 am
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:45 am to weagle99
quote:
believe the free market is the most ethical system devised for society. Prices should be what demand dictates them to be, not some government dictated level.
How have you never learned that pure anything is not good? Runaway capitalism can be just as dangerous as runaway socialism.
There should be exceptions to every rule one being that gouging prices 500% just for the sake of making an extra Buck under the guise of of supply and demand should not be allowed. Deep down you know its true.
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:46 am to roadGator
quote:
There are no shortages of any kind anywhere in Houston?
If true, that's amazing and a testament to the evil corporate bastards.
I think you imagine me to be something I'm not or you're conflating my posts with another poster.
This post was edited on 8/31/17 at 8:47 am
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:46 am to elposter
quote:
computes to normal people with even a modicum of understanding about economics and human behavior. I don't know if you realize this but "the individual" is essentially the entire make up of the free market so I don't know why you wouldn't "give credit to the free market for the compassion of the individual."
So tell me how the individual in this free market economy is being rewarded in a disaster area by price gouging?
Is it simply that you don't see it as price gouging but simple supply and demand when something goes up 500%
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:47 am to Ebbandflow
I don't believe in the concept of 'gouging' so that argument doesn't register with me.
The 500% increase is an opportunity for others to charge less and undercut the first guy. Or flood the market because prices are high therefore increasing supply. I see no problem.
The 500% increase is an opportunity for others to charge less and undercut the first guy. Or flood the market because prices are high therefore increasing supply. I see no problem.
This post was edited on 8/31/17 at 8:48 am
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:51 am to weagle99
Put it this way: If I see that water is selling for $10 a bottle then me any my buddies might fill up a truck with water and head to Houston to make a profit.
If water is scarce and the government says it must sell for $1 a bottle then I have no incentive to truck water in and the supply remains limited at the disaster site.
If water is scarce and the government says it must sell for $1 a bottle then I have no incentive to truck water in and the supply remains limited at the disaster site.
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:54 am to weagle99
quote:
Except it is more expensive / takes more effort for companies to move new supplies of gas into an area of disaster. If you were running those companies would you just take a loss or not ship the fuel in at all? How do the residents benefit if NO fuel is available?
I like to think that the best in people comes out when there is a disaster like Harvey. As a business owner myself, not a gas station though, I like to think that I would do what I could, and have in the past, to help out the community and make things a little easier for those in need. So yes, I would take the loss.
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:55 am to weagle99
quote:
don't believe in the concept of 'gouging' so that argument doesn't register with me.
The 500% increase is an opportunity for others to charge less and undercut the first guy. Or flood the market because prices are high therefore increasing supply. I see no problem.
The problem is no one charges 500% until they have a monopoly which is definitely a concern
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:55 am to ibleedprplngld
That's admirable and I respect your decision. I just don't think the government should make that decision for you.
This post was edited on 8/31/17 at 8:56 am
Posted on 8/31/17 at 8:58 am to mmcgrath
quote:
How many hoarders do you think there are in Houston right now?
I'd guess very few, but I'm basing that off my experiences in Tuscaloosa after the tornado there in 2011. Everyone in the effected area was pretty courteous about only taking/buying what they needed. Of course the impacted area wasn't as widespread, nor as dire as things are in Houston and elsewhere in Texas. At some point, human nature and survival of the fittest takes over. Hopefully it hasn't gotten to that point.
Posted on 8/31/17 at 9:03 am to Ebbandflow
quote:
So tell me how the individual in this free market economy is being rewarded in a disaster area by price gouging?
Is it simply that you don't see it as price gouging but simple supply and demand when something goes up 500%
My point is that the free market includes everything you see going on in the disaster area and around the country as aid, resources, and money flow in from individuals and corporation (whether they are motivated by compassion, good PR, religion, guilt, etc - all part of the free market). This part of the free market is effectively providing goods and services. If there are price gougers they will be undercut. If there are price gougers they may pay the long term price when things return to normal and people make them pay for a bad business decision. My point is there is very little evidence that government price gouging laws work or are needed.
Posted on 8/31/17 at 9:05 am to ibleedprplngld
quote:I own a fledgling small business with a partner. They had the idea of utilizing our trucks to haul donated supplies and other items down to help. I was very pleased to see our trucks head out loaded down with needed baby diapers, formula, and other items. I hadnt even thought of it.
, I like to think that I would do what I could, and have in the past, to help out the community and make things a little easier for those in need. So yes, I would take the loss.
Posted on 8/31/17 at 9:08 am to ibleedprplngld
quote:
I like to think that the best in people comes out when there is a disaster like Harvey. As a business owner myself, not a gas station though, I like to think that I would do what I could, and have in the past, to help out the community and make things a little easier for those in need. So yes, I would take the loss.
Exactly, as would many. As are many. Some for completely altruistic reasons. Some for business/PR reasons. This is the free market at work and it works to optimally balance prices, supply, and demand.
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