Question

"Price gouging" is when a seller responds to high demand by charging as much as they possibly can, even if that price exceeds what most people think is reasonable. The average consumer thinks that price gouging is unfair. Some even think it should be illegal. But most economists think it is an efficient response to the market. What do you think? Should price gouging be illegal? Is it fair?

Answer 1

Price gouging is charging unnecessarily high prices for goods if they are in high demand in market. From a sellers perspective its profitable because he/she is able to get more profits on a good and because the goods have a high demand the goods will eventually be sold even on a high price.

From a consumers perspective if the good is a basic need and the consumer is paying high price for it, this can be frustrating but the consumer will have to buy it. If the commodity is not a basic need then the consumer can just stop buying that good and can substitute any other good.

Step-by-step explanation:

Price gouging is charging unnecessarily high prices for goods if they are in high demand in market. From a sellers perspective its profitable because he/she is able to get more profits on a good and because the goods have a high demand the goods will eventually be sold even on a high price.

From a consumers perspective if the good is a basic need and the consumer is paying high price for it, this can be frustrating but the consumer will have to buy it. If the commodity is not a basic need then the consumer can just stop buying that good and can substitute any other good.