Comments on: In a matter of seconds, the ticket price went up $50 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower/2008/12/29/in-a-matter-of-seconds-the-ticket-price-went-up-50/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:50:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: RsL http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower/2008/12/29/in-a-matter-of-seconds-the-ticket-price-went-up-50/#comment-3325 RsL Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:51:56 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower/2008/12/29/in-a-matter-of-seconds-the-ticket-price-went-up-50/#comment-3325 Yeah, this happens ALL the time. Why do they consider this news? Yeah, this happens ALL the time. Why do they consider
this news?

]]> By: Amanda http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower/2008/12/29/in-a-matter-of-seconds-the-ticket-price-went-up-50/#comment-3294 Amanda Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:16:52 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower/2008/12/29/in-a-matter-of-seconds-the-ticket-price-went-up-50/#comment-3294 I have to agree with the guy who complained rather than the smart-aleck commenters. I have no issue with supply-and-demand pricing. However, I strongly suspect that the airline never had any intent of selling him the ticket at the lower price; it simply said there was a ticket available at the lower price to get him to click, and then claimed that someone else had snagged the lower seat while he was clicking and demanded $50. I've had that happen to me several times: I'll close the browser, re-open and search for the same tickets. I'll once again be offered the cheap price that they had just claimed was sold out...until, of course, I start to buy, at which point the price magically goes up again. Doesn't that fit the definition of "bait-and-switch" advertising? I have to agree with the guy who complained rather than the smart-aleck commenters. I have no issue with supply-and-demand pricing. However, I strongly suspect that the airline never had any intent of selling him the ticket at the lower price; it simply said there was a ticket available at the lower price to get him to click, and then claimed that someone else had snagged the lower seat while he was clicking and demanded $50. I’ve had that happen to me several times: I’ll close the browser, re-open and search for the same tickets. I’ll once again be offered the cheap price that they had just claimed was sold out…until, of course, I start to buy, at which point the price magically goes up again. Doesn’t that fit the definition of “bait-and-switch” advertising?

]]> By: oeconomicus http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower/2008/12/29/in-a-matter-of-seconds-the-ticket-price-went-up-50/#comment-3285 oeconomicus Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:31:21 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower/2008/12/29/in-a-matter-of-seconds-the-ticket-price-went-up-50/#comment-3285 You will see more and more industries using software to set prices in real time. Some property management companies are also changing monthly rental rates daily depending on vacancy rates. Don't forget, the price can decrease, too, which is beneficial for the consumer. Overall, the end result is simply a more efficient allocation of the resource in question. Think E-Bay. You will see more and more industries using software
to set prices in real time. Some property management
companies are also changing monthly rental rates daily
depending on vacancy rates. Don’t forget, the price can
decrease, too, which is beneficial for the consumer.
Overall, the end result is simply a more efficient
allocation of the resource in question. Think E-Bay.

]]> By: E http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower/2008/12/29/in-a-matter-of-seconds-the-ticket-price-went-up-50/#comment-3269 E Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:10:56 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower/2008/12/29/in-a-matter-of-seconds-the-ticket-price-went-up-50/#comment-3269 That has been happening since the beginning of airline tickets. It's all based on availability. No new news here. That has been happening since the beginning of airline tickets.
It’s all based on availability. No new news here.

]]> By: Phil http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower/2008/12/29/in-a-matter-of-seconds-the-ticket-price-went-up-50/#comment-3266 Phil Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:03:54 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower/2008/12/29/in-a-matter-of-seconds-the-ticket-price-went-up-50/#comment-3266 What? You mean supply and demand can influence pricing in public business? WOW!!!!! What? You mean supply and demand can influence pricing in public business?

WOW!!!!!

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