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Originally Posted by Steve Jordan
But the point is, there's no reason you have to have their product. It's not food or shelter. If it's not to your liking, for whatever reason, you can walk away. There's no justifiable reason to steal it... and "just to spite them" is a petty reasoning.
Every seller charges what they believe the market will bear... that's their prerogative. It's your prerogative, as a member of the market, to vote with your wallet, or vote with your feet. You don't have the prerogative to vote with your sticky fingers.
(Remember, you also have the prerogative to tell the seller why you think their product is overpriced, and give them the chance to consider revising their prices to reflect market attitudes.)
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I don't really see it as stealing since "stealing" would imply that I took something from someone denying them the ability to enjoy it purely for my personal pleasure.
If I steal a physical book from someone, then that person cannot enjoy it. If I obtain a digital copy, I do not cause any emotional harm - sure, the publisher can say "sales were down" - but he's not going to spend sleepless nights because I didn't put a $100 in his pocket?
Personally, I want to support artists. But that's the only thing I want to support - not the publishers, not the record companies, not the distributors and not the slick CEOs in their fancy cars. If I was solely supporting the artist, then I might feel regret over my actions. This way I do not. Heck, if the intermediaries actually provided me with SOME added value, I'd support them too - instead - what do I get - publishers and distributors opposing change (most notably distribution over the internet, whether legal or not) just because they'd be losing money. Do not ask me to show compassion and ethics while they're showing none.
I agree that spite is a result of poor reasoning but is greed any better?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Astropin
You just hit the nail on the head (and then proceeded to miss the point entirely). First of all who are YOU to decide what something is worth? Secondly.....do you understand (at all) the concept of a "free market"? If they know that they can charge a higher price because people will pay it then that is EXACTLY what they should do! The "market" has dictated a value.....just because YOU do not agree with it does not give you the right to steal it. You (should) either pay the higher price.....or "go without". I often buy refurbished products because I feel like the item is overpriced brand new. Other times (like my 505) I pay the full price because I think it's worth it.....and on MANY, MANY occasions.....I "go without" because it is out of my price range.
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Ah, but a free market also implies choice of distributors and fair play does it not?
Sadly, the first is sorely lacking here, making those that do provide a book charge it the highest they can because there is no choice. Secondly, how can one call upon a buyer's morality when the seller is blocking their competition so it can keep prices up?