US Justice Department Confirms E-Book Probe

[ApK]

It's not just about price. It could be another slip down the slope to closed markets and less freedoms. Some possible examples:
1. They can charge low prices because they are sure no one can compete with them. If you coerce 100% market share you don't need high margins.
2. They can use that control to enforce more restrictive terms on cutomers and content creators and resellers alike.
3. That can lead to restrictive control on the kind of content available.
4. It's just wrong on principle, and bad for our economic system. An affront to truth, justice and the American way. Some times the weasels just need slapping.

I'm not saying those are my personal opinions (or not). I'm just illustrating the possible reasons for and nature of a boycott and issues that are relevant besides price to the end user.

As tubemonkey says, if your only concern is price, just don't buy. Simple as that. If others agree, the prices will come down.* If others don't agree, it probably means your assessment of what is a fair price is not in line with the market and you're out of luck.

ApK

*Or the product will disappear, because everyone undervalued it too much.....

[tombielawski]

If what is being alleged is true, and price fixing is happening, then I hope those responsible are left to deal with the consequences.

Unfortunately, as is so often the case in other sectors, the consumer ends up paying the fines for the producer in higher product costs. I hope they don't "pass the buck" to us.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by ApK

It's not just about price. It could be another slip down the slope to closed markets and less freedoms. Some possible examples:
1. They can charge low prices because they are sure no one can compete with them. If you coerce 100% market share you don't need high margins.

Laugh.
Companies don't need high margins, they want high margins. Making a profit is the reason for existence.
If you have 100% market share, and no one can compete with you then (absent regulatory intervention preventing it) you will raise prices. To do anything else would be stupid.

[ApK]

If you were selling oil or other needed commodity, that might be true, but when you're selling a totally optional thing, you can price yourself into non-existence when your potential customers discover they can live with out you. Price well, you keep the flock happy and quiet.