Quote:Yes, pricing can be complicated, but I am taking issue with the idea that prices are set according to cost. Nothing could be further from the truth. Costs may determine how much profit the business can make, and costs can determine whether that business will even exist in the near future, but cost does not determine the price of the products that business sells. Pricing is done to maximize revenue, or to undercut the competition, or to increase the customer base, but the price you set for the product is not set by how much the product cost you. Because none of your customers care how much the product you are selling to them cost you. They only care how much they want it and how much they are willing to pay for it. Period. If you tell them the lasagna is priced at $25 because it cost you $20, then they will say, that's interesting but I don't want the lasagna enough to pay $25 for it, regardless of what it cost you.


Prices are set by supply and demand. How much money do I have, and how much to I want your product. I don't care how much it cost you. I only care about what it's worth to me. And if you find out that I am willing to pay $25 for your lasagna, then you might raise your price to $25. Because that's all that matters: how much is the customer willing to pay.

I guess we'll agree to disagree. I've seen counter examples but anecdotal evidence isn't always the strongest. I think sometimes yes, businesses do raise prices because of costs. They have to keep pace, meet margins, make money etc. and then yes, I agree there are businesses who see a huge demand for something, and jack up the price to take advantage. Look no further then gas prices for instance. That said, while I believe greed is a vice, i don't judge too harshly, at least with small businesses. We all gotta eat


Edit: I guess we agreed in a way because I stated the market drives the price. But at some point, if you raise it too high, some people will say forget that, I ain't paying that much, if it's not a necessity.

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