Ripoff ?

[Beekissed]

How is it a ripoff when you can walk away from it and buy something that is more in line with what you are willing to pay?

It's a choice. Pay the high price and those people will continue to keep their price high. Walk away and if there are no willing customers, they lower the price or get into another line of work. Simple.

A person can always walk away. If they know enough to do so...but many do not. It's like taking candy from a baby at that point, to over charge folks because they are rubes and don't know any better.

I've seen it at every farmer's market near larger towns and it's done by other types of vendors in the smaller towns. They over charge for the product and then complain that no one supports the small farmer or the small business man. How about an honest price for a product?

There's a reason those farmer markets set up near larger towns and not the smaller, more rural towns...the city folks don't know any better and will pay that price for eggs because they think they are buying something special and healthier, which they are but they shouldn't have to pay $7 for them...it doesn't cost any more to produce an egg in one yard than it does in another, so if I can produce them for $1 and sell them for $2, then how do they justify $7?

It's called integrity and scamming folks for HUGE profits when it just doesn't cost that much to produce it is a ripoff. Sure they have a choice...if they are making an informed choice. Most are not and it's just taking advantage of ignorant folks.

 

[thistlebloom]

@Beekissed, If people choose to be dumb then it's on them.
Buyer beware.

Lets face it, there's no excuse today, NO excuse, to be ill informed.
I have a real hard time imagining a person with two neurons that synapse actually thinking that eggs are worth that, unless they're gold.

You're illustration doesn't hold water. They don't have to pay $7 for a dozen eggs.

 

[Beekissed]

You are right, they surely don't. But would you charge them that price? If not, why not?

 

[catjac1975]

Bee- Grass fed is also hay fed through the winter. That can be pricey.

 

[thistlebloom]

You are right, they surely don't. But would you charge them that price? If not, why not?

No I wouldn't charge them that price, but whether I would or wouldn't and my reasons aren't the point.
The point is, it's only a ripoff if the consumer paying that exorbitant price is compelled to do so by an artificial price fixing, where there is then no choice, and no competition from other egg vendors who want to sell at a lower price.

Where there is a free market and choices, the higher price paid is by a choice made by the buyer.

 

[thistlebloom]

Not to beat the poor Choice horse to a pulp, but isn't being an informed consumer all about personal responsibility? And being a good steward of the brains and tools you were blessed with?

 

[Beekissed]

Not to beat the poor Choice horse to a pulp, but isn't being an informed consumer all about personal responsibility? And being a good steward of the brains and tools you were blessed with?

It is. But you are laying the onus upon the consumer because they fall for a dupe, a trick. Being a good steward encompasses many things and one of those is not deceiving those who are uninformed.

I don't think we'll come to a consensus on this issue, I'm afraid. Over charging folks for things is never a good idea...not for food, not for goods, not for anything. We answer for all our deeds here on Earth. I don't think I'd put my integrity and my character on the line for a dozen eggs merely because there are folks out there of who are less informed and they can be exploited.

The whole buyer beware is a quagmire and it becomes more so when someone has been overcharged for a car, for medical care, for homes, etc. One could argue all day they should have been informed and they can always go elsewhere but I don't conform to what the world sees as right as I have a higher authority to whom I answer. As such, I will never agree that it's okay to overcharge folks when you have a choice to do otherwise...especially for food.

 

[Beekissed]

Bee- Grass fed is also hay fed through the winter. That can be pricey.

As pricy as grain? I know what grass fed is...I've done it with my own livestock and I know the prices out there. Trust me..grass fed is cheaper and it's also healthier, so the grass fed operation wins on both counts.

 

[thistlebloom]

I don't think we are on opposite sides of this.
Please do not get the idea that I condone gouging. I did say that I personally would not charge an exorbitant price for the eggs in this example. And I am well aware of Who I answer to for every thought word and deed.

But the onus is on the consumer.
I have noticed that this is a very imperfect world, and there are pitfalls, temptations and land mines all around. Hence "Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves."

My only point is that if a person has a choice, it can not be a ripoff.
The person in any business who is not being fair and honest will be required to give account for it.

I'm just saying if you have a brain, use it. If you don't do your due diligence then you can only blame yourself and learn from your mistakes.

 

[seedcorn]

In Indiana, you can only use deprivation permits during hunting season.

@thistlebloom what may be gouging to you, may be fair compensation of investment, time, risk, etc to me.