Quote:
Originally Posted by TallMomof2
More price fixing, fewer books for me to buy.
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You are so right.
Price competition favours efficiency and large well funded retailers through the history of commerce have rarely proven to be the winners on that score.
Price competition favours an even playing field and keeps the big well-funded retailers from becoming bloated monsters who control the market and screw the consumer. Small independent retailers, many of whom have been clients of mine in other market sectors, are able to set up with lower cost bases and can often compete on price, while offering a wider range of support services and other factors important to customers.
No, price competition is not the sole tool of retailing but it is a core and essential tool. Taking it away has been shown throughout modern commercial history to be damaging to the consumer and in the best interests of the biggest monopolies.
Consumers base their purchasing decisions on a combination of price, service, follow up service and many other factors according to the industry. The fact that price is included in this mixture encourages all players in the market to stay competitive and efficient. It keeps the market open to new entries and to new and innovative ideas.
Price fixing is no good for anyone except the sellers. Price fixing in the French book market keeps prices sky high. Price fixing kept air travel restricted to the well off until competition was freed up. Price fixing is never ever good for consumers.