if there are enough idiots willing to spend $30 on a hot dog, then good for the street vendor. If he was not selling them then the price would be reduced.
charging $30 for a hotdog. Hell , he could charge $100 if he wanted to.
What is wrong with this incident in particular is that he is charging more than he is advertising his prices at the point of purchase, and he is cheating his customers on the change they should recieve. This is the ONLY problem with this situation, prices are irrelevant in a free society.
The owner of any item can sell it for whatever he values it, and the customer is free to decide wheather or not they value it at the asking price. I don't like that the article is depicting it as the Price of the hotdog being the problem, it's the sleezy and illegal business tacticts the vendor is partaking in that is wrong. I'm not surprised however, considering it's comming from a communist leaning news network.
charging $30 for a hotdog. Hell , he could charge $100 if he wanted to.
What is wrong with this incident in particular is that he is charging more than he is advertising his prices at the point of purchase, and he is cheating his customers on the change they should recieve. This is the ONLY problem with this situation, prices are irrelevant in a free society.
The owner of any item can sell it for whatever he values it, and the customer is free to decide wheather or not they value it at the asking price. I don't like that the article is depicting it as the Price of the hotdog being the problem, it's the sleezy and illegal business tacticts the vendor is partaking in that is wrong. I'm not surprised however, considering it's comming from a communist leaning news network.
Except per NYC law, all prices must be posted...So in reality your theory does not apply
as much as it is a principle of a free-market and society.
With that said, if you read my post I said that is precisely what was wrong with this issue; that the vendor wasn't listing his prices, then cheating his customers on the said price with shorting their change back. The guy is a scumbag for sure, and like I said this is an illegal business practice, but it is not the price itself that is the problem. Huge difference.
as much as it is a principle of a free-market and society.
With that said, if you read my post I said that is precisely what was wrong with this issue; that the vendor wasn't listing his prices, then cheating his customers on the said price with shorting their change back. The guy is a scumbag for sure, and like I said this is an illegal business practice, but it is not the price itself that is the problem. Huge difference.
How much business do you think he would get with a posted price of $30 a dog? While i understand that anyone can charge what they want for their goods or services, the price ultimately is dictated by the market. He is marketing on deception and unfair business practices that have allowed him to sucker unaware people into grossly overpaying. The price if done legally would eliminate him in the market
as much as it is a principle of a free-market and society.
With that said, if you read my post I said that is precisely what was wrong with this issue; that the vendor wasn't listing his prices, then cheating his customers on the said price with shorting their change back. The guy is a scumbag for sure, and like I said this is an illegal business practice, but it is not the price itself that is the problem. Huge difference.
The price itself is a problem for two reasons. One, he is not posting the price, as required by NYC law. Two, his price is fluctuating based on his assessment of the patron, which really relates back to point #1.
and left the bitten hot dog on the cart and walked away. The other shitty thing is how he claims to not speak English when confronted, but has no problem speaking English to conduct his business.
and still gets $30 so be it. But I seriously doubt he would sell many hot dogs with a $30 posted price. I'd guess that another vendor would set up shop 50 feet away, charge $2 for a hot dog and take all his business (and probably get 50 cents more per dog than what he was previously charging).
He wouldn't sell any. But, the facts that he did not post the price and his price fluctuates are what make his practices illegal. If he posted a set price of $20 or $30 per hot dog, so be it. He would have no business to speak of.
You seem to be more focused on the price itself. I'm more focused on the deceptive business practices. If he can be totally transparent and honest and still get $30 (like beer at Met Life) I say so be it.
You seem to be more focused on the price itself. I'm more focused on the deceptive business practices. If he can be totally transparent and honest and still get $30 (like beer at Met Life) I say so be it.
But obviously he can't succeed doing that thus why the deception. Its really not something applicable here, obviously anyone can charge whatever they want. But the outrage over his prices is that he is taking advantage illegally, as well as unethically. That has nothing to do with a "Free Market"
You seem to be more focused on the price itself. I'm more focused on the deceptive business practices. If he can be totally transparent and honest and still get $30 (like beer at Met Life) I say so be it.
But obviously he can't succeed doing that thus why the deception. Its really not something applicable here, obviously anyone can charge whatever they want. But the outrage over his prices is that he is taking advantage illegally, as well as unethically. That has nothing to do with a "Free Market"
We're taking different paths to the same conclusion. Is this really worth an argument?
you guys are actually taking the same path to the same conclusion
This isn't about free market. The plain fact is this guy knows if he followed the letter of the law and posted a price of $20 or $30, he would not sell any hot dogs. He intentionally doesn't post prices for this reason. He catches unassuming people off guard. Even for people he doesn't perceive as tourists, he is taking advantage by making up the price as he goes. His practices are not just unethical but blatantly illegal per NYC law. Even when he was charging reasonable prices, he was breaking the law because his prices weren't posted, as required, and he changed the price as he saw fit. So, it doesn't matter that he was charging $20-$30 or that he was charging $2 sometimes, $3 sometimes, etc. It is all illegal.
People order, he makes it, they have the dog in hand THEN he says $30. That's messed up. It's not like people are asking him the price, he tells them, then he makes it.
It's just lacking a bit of street smarts. I was headed to a separate jobsite for a meeting with some work colleagues and it was a rainy day. We hopped in a gypsy cab and I told him where we were headed - a 10 minute ride. He got to the next corner and being a gypsy cab I knew to ask how much the ride was going to be - $40. Fuck outta here, we jumped out of the cab right then and there.
With hot dog man I'd just hand the thing right back to him. I am sure that with the few people that pay he more than makes up for those that just give him the dog back.
People order, he makes it, they have the dog in hand THEN he says $30. That's messed up. It's not like people are asking him the price, he tells them, then he makes it.
It's just lacking a bit of street smarts. I was headed to a separate jobsite for a meeting with some work colleagues and it was a rainy day. We hopped in a gypsy cab and I told him where we were headed - a 10 minute ride. He got to the next corner and being a gypsy cab I knew to ask how much the ride was going to be - $40. Fuck outta here, we jumped out of the cab right then and there.
With hot dog man I'd just hand the thing right back to him. I am sure that with the few people that pay he more than makes up for those that just give him the dog back.
So his break even point is 15 people telling him to fuck off.
People order, he makes it, they have the dog in hand THEN he says $30. That's messed up. It's not like people are asking him the price, he tells them, then he makes it.
It's just lacking a bit of street smarts. I was headed to a separate jobsite for a meeting with some work colleagues and it was a rainy day. We hopped in a gypsy cab and I told him where we were headed - a 10 minute ride. He got to the next corner and being a gypsy cab I knew to ask how much the ride was going to be - $40. Fuck outta here, we jumped out of the cab right then and there.
With hot dog man I'd just hand the thing right back to him. I am sure that with the few people that pay he more than makes up for those that just give him the dog back.
So his break even point is 15 people telling him to fuck off.
You know the really smart way to market this would be to team up with another vendor, post these absurd $30 prices, then have the other vendor set-up a few feet away selling dogs for $5. Split the profits
or oligopoly. Where two or more businesses collude together to fix the market price, which I think would be impossible in the hotdog vending industry.
No one is considering that in that case a third vendor can easily come in (Especially considering there is no real barriers to entry and minimal start up cost in the hotdog selling industry. They would sell dogs for lower than the two vendors trying to price fix the market in that area.
or oligopoly. Where two or more businesses collude together to fix the market price, which I think would be impossible in the hotdog vending industry.
No one is considering that in that case a third vendor can easily come in (Especially considering there is no real barriers to entry and minimal start up cost in the hotdog selling industry. They would sell dogs for lower than the two vendors trying to price fix the market in that area.
That is when 2 against 1 usually will result in slashed tires and bruises for the 1
or oligopoly. Where two or more businesses collude together to fix the market price, which I think would be impossible in the hotdog vending industry.
No one is considering that in that case a third vendor can easily come in (Especially considering there is no real barriers to entry and minimal start up cost in the hotdog selling industry. They would sell dogs for lower than the two vendors trying to price fix the market in that area.
It's not really true that there are no barriers to entry. There are licenses and permits, as well as the cost of the cart, the food, etc.
Who's stupid enough to pay $30 for a hot dog?
Who's stupid enough to pay $30 for a hot dog?
People who don't understand the currency or the language?
Obviously he doesn't try it on everyone and it doesn't work on everyone he tries it on but this guy is a sleeze
Always have an idea of relative cost and prices when one visits a foreign country.
What is wrong with this incident in particular is that he is charging more than he is advertising his prices at the point of purchase, and he is cheating his customers on the change they should recieve. This is the ONLY problem with this situation, prices are irrelevant in a free society.
The owner of any item can sell it for whatever he values it, and the customer is free to decide wheather or not they value it at the asking price. I don't like that the article is depicting it as the Price of the hotdog being the problem, it's the sleezy and illegal business tacticts the vendor is partaking in that is wrong. I'm not surprised however, considering it's comming from a communist leaning news network.
What is wrong with this incident in particular is that he is charging more than he is advertising his prices at the point of purchase, and he is cheating his customers on the change they should recieve. This is the ONLY problem with this situation, prices are irrelevant in a free society.
The owner of any item can sell it for whatever he values it, and the customer is free to decide wheather or not they value it at the asking price. I don't like that the article is depicting it as the Price of the hotdog being the problem, it's the sleezy and illegal business tacticts the vendor is partaking in that is wrong. I'm not surprised however, considering it's comming from a communist leaning news network.
Except per NYC law, all prices must be posted...So in reality your theory does not apply
With that said, if you read my post I said that is precisely what was wrong with this issue; that the vendor wasn't listing his prices, then cheating his customers on the said price with shorting their change back. The guy is a scumbag for sure, and like I said this is an illegal business practice, but it is not the price itself that is the problem. Huge difference.
With that said, if you read my post I said that is precisely what was wrong with this issue; that the vendor wasn't listing his prices, then cheating his customers on the said price with shorting their change back. The guy is a scumbag for sure, and like I said this is an illegal business practice, but it is not the price itself that is the problem. Huge difference.
How much business do you think he would get with a posted price of $30 a dog? While i understand that anyone can charge what they want for their goods or services, the price ultimately is dictated by the market. He is marketing on deception and unfair business practices that have allowed him to sucker unaware people into grossly overpaying. The price if done legally would eliminate him in the market
With that said, if you read my post I said that is precisely what was wrong with this issue; that the vendor wasn't listing his prices, then cheating his customers on the said price with shorting their change back. The guy is a scumbag for sure, and like I said this is an illegal business practice, but it is not the price itself that is the problem. Huge difference.
well in that case the guy is a hero!
But obviously he can't succeed doing that thus why the deception. Its really not something applicable here, obviously anyone can charge whatever they want. But the outrage over his prices is that he is taking advantage illegally, as well as unethically. That has nothing to do with a "Free Market"
and they take too fucking long to piddle about what to order at Starbucks, when all I want is my morning red-eye, thankyouverymuch
Quote:
You seem to be more focused on the price itself. I'm more focused on the deceptive business practices. If he can be totally transparent and honest and still get $30 (like beer at Met Life) I say so be it.
But obviously he can't succeed doing that thus why the deception. Its really not something applicable here, obviously anyone can charge whatever they want. But the outrage over his prices is that he is taking advantage illegally, as well as unethically. That has nothing to do with a "Free Market"
We're taking different paths to the same conclusion. Is this really worth an argument?
It's just lacking a bit of street smarts. I was headed to a separate jobsite for a meeting with some work colleagues and it was a rainy day. We hopped in a gypsy cab and I told him where we were headed - a 10 minute ride. He got to the next corner and being a gypsy cab I knew to ask how much the ride was going to be - $40. Fuck outta here, we jumped out of the cab right then and there.
With hot dog man I'd just hand the thing right back to him. I am sure that with the few people that pay he more than makes up for those that just give him the dog back.
Then you're not dumbfounded at all.
It's just lacking a bit of street smarts. I was headed to a separate jobsite for a meeting with some work colleagues and it was a rainy day. We hopped in a gypsy cab and I told him where we were headed - a 10 minute ride. He got to the next corner and being a gypsy cab I knew to ask how much the ride was going to be - $40. Fuck outta here, we jumped out of the cab right then and there.
With hot dog man I'd just hand the thing right back to him. I am sure that with the few people that pay he more than makes up for those that just give him the dog back.
So his break even point is 15 people telling him to fuck off.
Quote:
People order, he makes it, they have the dog in hand THEN he says $30. That's messed up. It's not like people are asking him the price, he tells them, then he makes it.
It's just lacking a bit of street smarts. I was headed to a separate jobsite for a meeting with some work colleagues and it was a rainy day. We hopped in a gypsy cab and I told him where we were headed - a 10 minute ride. He got to the next corner and being a gypsy cab I knew to ask how much the ride was going to be - $40. Fuck outta here, we jumped out of the cab right then and there.
With hot dog man I'd just hand the thing right back to him. I am sure that with the few people that pay he more than makes up for those that just give him the dog back.
So his break even point is 15 people telling him to fuck off.
You know the really smart way to market this would be to team up with another vendor, post these absurd $30 prices, then have the other vendor set-up a few feet away selling dogs for $5. Split the profits
No one is considering that in that case a third vendor can easily come in (Especially considering there is no real barriers to entry and minimal start up cost in the hotdog selling industry. They would sell dogs for lower than the two vendors trying to price fix the market in that area.
No one is considering that in that case a third vendor can easily come in (Especially considering there is no real barriers to entry and minimal start up cost in the hotdog selling industry. They would sell dogs for lower than the two vendors trying to price fix the market in that area.
That is when 2 against 1 usually will result in slashed tires and bruises for the 1
seriously. I was under the impression that corner vendors had some street rules.
are the only rules now those set by the gov't?
No one is considering that in that case a third vendor can easily come in (Especially considering there is no real barriers to entry and minimal start up cost in the hotdog selling industry. They would sell dogs for lower than the two vendors trying to price fix the market in that area.
Classic. Get ready for a dog with kraut and onions to the dome!!
Sausage scam - ( New Window )