People capatilizing on the tragic event of 9/11

[zmatrix]

I can't believe the people who sell flags at eye-gouging prices! It's ridiculous and outrageous. Americans want to be supportive yet they have to pay these money hungry bastards insane prices just to have a flag.

I saw someone selling a flag that you can attach to the car back window (similar to the ones that everyone had when the lakers were in the finals) for $40!!! or $20 for the flag ad $20 for the attachment. A co-worker told me someone was selling those little flags with the 8 inch plastic pole that you can stand on your desk for $8! I used to see those for $2.00.

It just makes me sick and I feel it is very disrespectful to those who died in the tragedies. :|

 

[Scuttle]

I remember looking through Yahoo and Ebay auctions and feeling very depressed over how these people were cashing in over the terrible occurence. It really is sad and appaling. :|

 

[Beau]

But if you think about it, people spending more money on items than they would regularly actually helps the country's ailing economy.

 

I got some spam email for a cell phone outfit that said something like, "In times like these, where tragedy can happen, you need a cell phone..."

Needless to say I wrote back and chewed their arses out for the spam.

 

[MrCraphead]

Beau6183: Although that may be true, but I don't think the people selling these flags is (are?) thinking about how they can boost the economy.

It's pretty sad what people will do for money............. :\

 

[Beau]

<< Beau6183: Although that may be true, but I don't think the people selling these flags is (are?) thinking about how they can boost the economy.

It's pretty sad what people will do for money............. :\ >>



I'm sure they're not, it's an indirect benefit. And don't get me wrong, I totally disagree with gouging! I hope those people who gouge get caught and penalized for it! But the fact is that it DOES help in a round-about sick sorta way.

 

[crackersjacks]

I was at an Orioles game this weekend and there were all sorts of people on the street selling shirts and hats. A bunch of them were claiming that the money was going to the firefighters in New York but I highly doubt it.

 

[PG]

This is a bit off the subject, but do you know what's really sad? Most flags aren't made here in the USA, but overseas. Yes, we as consumers are so worried about price that we won't buy stuff made here in the USA anymore. A good quality cloth flag does cost a lot of money, but I don't think the recent rise in prices is due to a corresponding rise in quality. :disgust:

 

[zmatrix]

<<

<< Beau6183: Although that may be true, but I don't think the people selling these flags is (are?) thinking about how they can boost the economy.

It's pretty sad what people will do for money............. :\ >>



I'm sure they're not, it's an indirect benefit. And don't get me wrong, I totally disagree with gouging! I hope those people who gouge get caught and penalized for it! But the fact is that it DOES help in a round-about sick sorta way. >>



That one guy selling the car flags was making pure cash profits. I highly doubt these people are reporting their income made from these flags. It doesn't help the economy at all if we are buying from these jerks who are pocketing the profits.

 

[Amused]

Any time there is a shortage of a product, and demand outstrips supply, prices will rise, and the perceived worth of that item will increase.

Capitalism is about charging as much as the market will bear, not being altruistic and giving away a product for half of what you can get for it.

Remember, a product is NOT worth what it cost to make. It is worth what people are willing to pay for it.

Now, that said, I agree with some laws limiting price gouging on items such as food and clothing, but anything other than that is a luxury, and is fair game in market pricing.

 

[beat mania]

<< This is a bit off the subject, but do you know what's really sad? Most flags aren't made here in the USA, but overseas. Yes, we as consumers are so worried about price that we won't buy stuff made here in the USA anymore. A good quality cloth flag does cost a lot of money, but I don't think the recent rise in prices is due to a corresponding rise in quality. :disgust: >>





Yeah, I read in a paper on how this factory in China is flooded with orders for US flags suddenly.
Hey, at least it'll help world economy

 

[mithrandir2001]

I guess they are pricing the flags according to what the market will bear. If everybody thinks $40 is outrageous, the vendors won't make any sales and will have to change their prices accordingly. Capitalism never dies, nor should it in a free market.

 

[Beau]

AmusedOne: Nicely stated.

 

[Amused]

<<

<<

<< Beau6183: Although that may be true, but I don't think the people selling these flags is (are?) thinking about how they can boost the economy.

It's pretty sad what people will do for money............. :\ >>



I'm sure they're not, it's an indirect benefit. And don't get me wrong, I totally disagree with gouging! I hope those people who gouge get caught and penalized for it! But the fact is that it DOES help in a round-about sick sorta way. >>



That one guy selling the car flags was making pure cash profits. I highly doubt these people are reporting their income made from these flags. It doesn't help the economy at all if we are buying from these jerks who are pocketing the profits. >>



WHAT??? Where did you learn economics? That money made will more than likely be spent, or invested, thus fueling the economy. The more money that changes hands, the healthier the economy.

TAXES do NOT fuel the economy, they hamper it.

 

[zmatrix]

<< Any time there is a shortage of a product, and demand outstrips supply, prices will rise, and the percieved worth of that item will increase.

Capitalism is about charging as much as the market will bear, not being altruistic and giving away a product for half of what you can get for it.

Remember, a product is NOT worth what it cost to make. It is worth what people are willing to pay for it.

Now, that said, I agree with some laws limiting price gouging on items such as food and clothing, but anything other than that is a luxury, and is fair game in market pricing. >>



I do understand that we have free enterprise and about market supply and demand, but I just feel that in this case it's very demeaning to those who died and to their families that they are making huge profits. I don't mind that they sell these flags to make some profit, but with these high prices, I think it's ridiculous.

 

[mithrandir2001]

<< I don't mind that they sell these flags to make some profit, but with these high prices, I think it's ridiculous. >>


The point, though, is that if the prices were considered ridiculously high, nobody would buy them. Nobody is forcing anyone to buy a flag at $40...but if you do buy one out of "desperation", then obviously having a flag is worth more than the $40.

If the price was altrusitically "fair", then demand would almost certainly outstrip supply. Market pricing is fair in the way that only those people who value the product highly are the ones who buy it.

 

[Amused]

<<

<< Any time there is a shortage of a product, and demand outstrips supply, prices will rise, and the percieved worth of that item will increase.

Capitalism is about charging as much as the market will bear, not being altruistic and giving away a product for half of what you can get for it.

Remember, a product is NOT worth what it cost to make. It is worth what people are willing to pay for it.

Now, that said, I agree with some laws limiting price gouging on items such as food and clothing, but anything other than that is a luxury, and is fair game in market pricing. >>



I do understand that we have free enterprise and about market supply and demand, but I just feel that in this case it's very demeaning to those who died and to their families that they are making huge profits. I don't mind that they sell these flags to make some profit, but with these high prices, I think it's ridiculous. >>



You don't NEED a flag. If people didn't want to buy them at that price, they wouldn't sell.

 

[Jeff7]

It's pretty sad what people will do for money............. :\

Amazing too that people are willing to pay that much money for a flag. Got a color printer? Show your patriotism and save money at the same time, until cheaper flags get shipped in.

 

[Amused]

Another thing people haven't considered:

Many of the flags available now are US made flags, since the majority of flags made overseas have already sold out. US made flags are more expensive, because our labor is more expensive. Also, most US made flags are of a higher quality, since only boutique quality flags made in the US will sell in normal times.

I went to a high-end US flag manufacturer website in the days following the attack, and noted they had started production on lower quality flags to fill the demand for ordinary flags. Their average flags BEFORE the WTC were quite expensive, but of very high quality.

 

[Freejack2]

Ok that's just waaay tooo wrong when American flags are being made in a communist country!
American flags should be made by Americans.

 

[DannyLove]

<< I can't believe the people who sell flags at eye-gouging prices! It's ridiculous and outrageous. Americans want to be supportive yet they have to pay these money hungry bastards insane prices just to have a flag.

I saw someone selling a flag that you can attach to the car back window (similar to the ones that everyone had when the lakers were in the finals) for $40!!! or $20 for the flag ad $20 for the attachment. A co-worker told me someone was selling those little flags with the 8 inch plastic pole that you can stand on your desk for $8! I used to see those for $2.00.

It just makes me sick and I feel it is very disrespectful to those who died in the tragedies. :| >>

I believe it is called supply and demand, I have no problem with it, it is what America is based on.

danny~!