Japanese mizuno mask for sale

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Kevin,

To my way of thinking, he wasn't "gouging".

It comes down to the diference between need and desire.

If an individual or has temporarily (or permanently, I guess) "cornered the market" in something that other people need and charge an "excessive" price for it, to me, that is "gouging".

When somebody tries to sell something "scarce" that nobody needs, but some people "want" (some of them pretty badly, apparently) for an excessive price, I don't see anything unethical, immoral, or otherwise "unsavory" about it.

Nobody made you the "jello sheriff". Take it outside.

JM

Geez, I thought I just explained my use of the word "gouging." You're right, there is a distinction between the common use of the term and the specific practice of overpricing a necessary commodity in a disaster.

I guess we'll just call it fleecing.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

If someone says they're being grilled, it doesn't mean they are actually on a grill being cooked, but everyone who hears the term knows what is meant by it.

When too high a price is charged for something, and someone like me calls it gouging, even though the particular offense is not in keeping with the kind of activity that is commonly associated with its literal translation, it is still fairly easily determined what is being described. I also define it as gouging specifically due to its being done umpire-to-umpire.

I also attest that the what-the-market-will-bear approach to draining people of every drop you can has had rather devastating results. Look around. It does not work.

A fair market will not drain people of every drop, nor will a smart marketeer. The what-the-market-will-bear approach works well when suppliers aren't artificially suppressed by excessive regulation.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

A fair market will not drain people of every drop, nor will a smart marketeer. The what-the-market-will-bear approach works well when suppliers aren't artificially suppressed by excessive regulation.

I think we've just about exhausted the "gouging vs. free market" debate. (Well, not exhausted it, but reached the poitn where it's likely to turn into a more-rancorous exchange). And, since the mask has been sold, I think it's time to let this thread die.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

A fair market will not drain people of every drop, nor will a smart marketeer. The what-the-market-will-bear approach works well when suppliers aren't artificially suppressed by excessive regulation.

That's very, very funny.

Excessive regulation ...

So that's what's to blame for its obvious failure in recent years ... excessive regulation.



I guess now we've truly exhausted it. Wow. Smart marketing artificially supressed by excessive regulation. That's great stuff.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

That's very, very funny.

Excessive regulation ...

So that's what's to blame for its obvious failure in recent years ... excessive regulation.



I guess now we've truly exhausted it. Wow. Smart marketing artificially supressed by excessive regulation. That's great stuff.

Kevin, I'd love to have this discussion, but as Bob is the moderator, I'm going to agree to drop this. Suffice it to say I wasn't very clear in my last post, as your post here makes it obvious that my point wasn't made well.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Kevin, I'd love to have this discussion, but as Bob is the moderator, I'm going to agree to drop this. Suffice it to say I wasn't very clear in my last post, as your post here makes it obvious that my point wasn't made well.

Snaqs: don't expect the last word.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Yes, we all know that you can sell anything you want at any price the market will bear. That wasn't the point Kevin was making, and that seems to go over everyone's head apparently.

The point is, the guy was selling a mask at 3 to 4 times what it was worth, which is truly indeed ripping people off, no matter how you armchair, wannabe economists try to spin it. Kevin would have, at the very most, sold it for what it was worth and not a penny more. I know this because I know of his character personally.

You can call it "gouging" or any other term you want, or maybe that term is not technically correct. Who cares. And yes, there was someone stupid enough to buy it at the high price, which proves, as Mr. Umpire and someone other than P. T. said, there indeed is a sucker born every minute. But the guy who sold it was the "suckee."

[Tim C]

Steve:

While you have the right to have your opinion I can respectfully disagree.

"If" this mask was a piece of art and was on auction @ Christies Fine Art it could go for a price more than "what it was worth" and it would simply be a news item in tomorrow's fish wrapper.

I just can't buy into your philosophy that people should not profit (no matter how greatly).

I am certainly not a "wannabe economist" (nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night) but I would expect that if I auctioned off my Carlucci Original Chest Protector and Leg Guards I would certainly get more than I paid for them and possibly more than their "worth." ("Worth" is an interesting issue in itself -- how can you establish "worth" for someone else's need or desire.)

Although I greatly respect both you and Kevin I just can't agree with you on this specific issue.

T

[Tim C]

If you ever get a chance watch the movie:

"Who the #%&*^* is Jackson Pollock

It is a great study in placing a value on a questionable item. The movie itself is a piece of art.

As I have sold several pieces of my own work I am too sometimes surprised at the value some people attach to objects.

T

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

The point is, the guy was selling a mask at 3 to 4 times what it was worth, which is truly indeed ripping people off, no matter how you armchair, wannabe economists try to spin it.

Even wannabe economists understand that the price for something in Japan can be very different than the price for that item in the United States.

In Minnesota, Comcast just came out with what ties for the fastest in the US at 101Mbps speeds for $370 per month. In Japan one can get 160Mbps for $60 per month.