Comments on: Why Is There No Price Gouging In NYC?

By: Raziq

Raziq — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 23:53:11 +0000

With regard to the qutieson of late filing of a fax to the EPO (I assume that this was for the filing of a debit order), OJ EPO Special Edition 5/2007, page 200 explains that in such cases an extension under Rule 134(1), last sentence applies where the transmission of documents by technical means (inlcuding fax) are affected by a technical interruption in the service. The extension under Rule 134(1) is, in theory, automatic.What I would suggest in such cases is to telephone the EPO formality officer for the file and enquire if there is a disruption in the centralised fax receipt service. If there is, then you can try again the following day by fax and if this fails again repeat the procedure once per day until the fax is successfuly sent.Keep any documentation from your fax machine which shows that your transmission to the EPO failed. If the EPO then issues a communication of a loss of rights under Rule 112(1), you can request a decision under Rule 112(2), citing this documentation as evidence that the time limit should have been extended under Rule 134(1) to the first day when the fax service resumed (which must also be the day when the fax was sent).As a precuationary measure, in case the decision under Rule 112(2) does not go your way, you can request further processing as an auxiliary request (provided this is not excluded by Rule 135(2)) and authorise deduction of the necessary further processing fee in the event that the decision under Rule 112(2) does not go your way (see also J23/96, where the Legal Board allowed a party to have a main request under Rule 112(2) and an auxilliary request for re-establishment).It is a cumbersome procedure I know, but it can be handled by secretarial staff rather than the agent her- or him-self and it avoids a 50% surcharge on the late paid fee for requesting further processing.If there is not a general interruption in the EPO fax service, then it may be your telephone service provider which is experiencing problems in which case epoline is probably your only option if this is not an opposition or appeal case(and assuming your fax and Internet connections are not interlinked).Hope this helps, best regardsMad_as_a_hatter

By: Arijanet

Arijanet — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 09:35:13 +0000

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By: Cos

Cos — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 05:18:05 +0000

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By: Sandeep Baliga

Sandeep Baliga — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 14:59:29 +0000

Thanks for the reference to Reuters article. I agree it is consistent with Planet Money article.

By: Assorted Links « azmytheconomics

Assorted Links « azmytheconomics — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:28:29 +0000

[...] 1. Why economists love price gouging and why it’s so rare. Sandeep Baliga comments. [...]

By: Michael Giberson

Michael Giberson — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:22:24 +0000

Of course the Reuters story complements the Goldstein story (and also aspects of the Kahneman, Knetsch, Thaler article referenced). The customers roaming the streets seeking out the “few neighborhood bodegas” open are not likely the regular customers at those shops, so the potential loss of future business is small. By comparison, Goldstein’s story referenced a supermarket where his family and others in the neighborhood regularly shopped.

At the coffee shop, the clerk has a cost-based reason for raising the price and KKT report that consumers are willing to accept as fair cost-based price increases that don’t increase the profit margin of the seller.

By: Michael Giberson

Michael Giberson — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:12:00 +0000

As an empirical matter, price gouging is happening in New York City: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/31/uk-storm-sandy-newyorkers-idUSLNE89U00V20121031

The price of two batteries, which normally cost around $5, had been jacked up to as much as $15 in the few neighborhood bodegas that were open despite the loss of power. “They can get away with this very easily,” [Professor Lee Fleischer] said. “They are exploiting their customers and the community, though.”

At La Delice Pastry Shop, in nearby Kips Bay, the price for a cup of coffee had been raised from $1 to $3. A store clerk said the reason was that they had to use bottled water to make the coffee.

By: Price gouging: Can economics justify a price cap? | Knowledge Problem

Price gouging: Can economics justify a price cap? | Knowledge Problem — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 20:59:23 +0000

[...] Sandeep Beliga, Cheap Talk, adds, “Why is there no price gouging in NYC?“ [...]

By: Patrick R. Sullivan

Patrick R. Sullivan — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:32:49 +0000

That well established retailers won’t serve their customers by increasing their costs (and passing them on) is understandable, they have a long run outlook, and can afford to pass on short run profits.

This makes anti-gouging laws doubly idiotic. With the normal channels non-functioning we need incentives to draw in the quick buck artists in their pick-ups and station wagons to fill the gaps. They need to believe there’s money to be made by finding needs and filling them.

By: jhe

jhe — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:28:01 +0000

I would put in an exception for oligopoly behavior. I think the institutions which have oligopoly / near monopoly positions seem to do things that seem like they’re trying to screw their customers all the time (cf. credit card issuers, phone service providers).

Competitive markets, sure. Oligopoly markets… not all the time or even most of the time.