MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Judge approves settlement. Says It's In The Public Interest To Stop Price Fixing

vxf · 09-09-2012, 07:28 PM

Nice!

I am ever puzzled by how people seem to think that, somehow, they should have the right to regulate commerce between two willing parties. Amazon wants to sell, I want to buy, why should Apple have a say?

Regardless, I have absolutely no doubts that, in the long term, this will mean lower prices for everyone. And if Amazon captures the market, I see no ill. They can have 99% market share, for all I care. The day they decide to raise prices, restrict supply, or whatever, someone will spring in and fill that gap. Market share does not equal market power, in the absence of significant barriers to entry.

At the end of the day, forcing everyone to pay a higher price to allow the non-competitive sellers to survive means imposing a tax on everyone so that a minority preserves its freedom of choice. You want your indie bookseller? Go and pay its higher prices, but don't force me to. Because I don't care. If a minority of customers wants choice, they should pay for it out of their own pockets - not from mine.

09-09-2012, 07:28 PM	#46
vxf Guru Posts: 944 Karma: 1490348 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norman, OK Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; Kindles (ALL of them!); Kobo Aura One	Nice! I am ever puzzled by how people seem to think that, somehow, they should have the right to regulate commerce between two willing parties. Amazon wants to sell, I want to buy, why should Apple have a say? Regardless, I have absolutely no doubts that, in the long term, this will mean lower prices for everyone. And if Amazon captures the market, I see no ill. They can have 99% market share, for all I care. The day they decide to raise prices, restrict supply, or whatever, someone will spring in and fill that gap. Market share does not equal market power, in the absence of significant barriers to entry. At the end of the day, forcing everyone to pay a higher price to allow the non-competitive sellers to survive means imposing a tax on everyone so that a minority preserves its freedom of choice. You want your indie bookseller? Go and pay its higher prices, but don't force me to. Because I don't care. If a minority of customers wants choice, they should pay for it out of their own pockets - not from mine. Last edited by vxf; 09-09-2012 at 07:31 PM.