Thread: Article on ebook profits
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Old 12-21-2010, 11:50 AM   #76
DMcCunney
New York Editor
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GA Russell View Post
I have noticed in these threads about the big publishers that those who defend the publishers deny the concepts of price gouging and now money grubbing.

This I think is a moral argument.
If you wish to cast it as one, I can't stop you.

But "price gouging" and "money grubbing" are relative. I can't afford a Ferrari Testarosa. (It retailed for $220,000 when issued.) Should I accuse Ferrari of price gouging and money grubbing because I can't afford one? I suppose I could, but it would be disingenuous, because I have some idea of why they are so expensive, and would hardly expect Ferrari to be able to price it at a level I could afford and remain a going concern.

Accusations of "price gouging" and "money grubbing" make an underlying assumption that the producer could price it cheaper, but chooses not to. What if that's a fallacious assumption?

Any producer will set prices intended to cover the costs of making whatever it is, plus sufficient profit to remain a going concern. The fact that the price might be higher than I want to pay is my problem. If the producer can get enough sales at the price they charge to cover their costs and make the requisite amount of money, there is no particular reason why they should cut the price to benefit me. I don't have a problem with that, and don't see it as a moral issue. I can't afford everything I want, so I prioritize, make choices, and buy what is most important to me within the limits of my budget.

If I recall correctly, you're a lawyer specializing in real estate. You have a standard hourly billing rate for your professional services. If I'm in the market for the services you provide, what would your response be to accusations on my part that you are price-gouging and money-grubbing if the rate you quote me is higher than I wish to pay? I suspect a polite but firm variant of "You are welcome to go elsewhere." I don't see you cutting your rate because I don't like it, without some other incentive like "I'm an old friend and you're doing me a favor."
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Dennis
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