From: saab@ais.org (Micheal Marks)
Subject: Re: Superman, Superman, Everybody's talking about Superman ...
Organization: UMCC
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1992 05:35:50 GMT

In article <Bz1G0I.8Ks@sunlab1.bath.ac.uk> hs0sagg@sunlab1.bath.ac.uk (S A G Granville) writes:
>>>Sorry, I just don't see it.  And the marketplace certainly doesn't
>>>support this gross generalization of yours.  If your gross generalization
>>>were grossly true, discount stores wouldn't exist, now would they?
>>
>>Discount stores sell at prices which generate the maximum profit.  All 
>>businesses do.  (OR at least, they make their best attempt to).  I'd suggest
>>taking a first-year Commerce course; if you disagree with this maxim, you'll
>>fail.
>>
>Well _I_ am taking my third (final) year of an Economics degree and 
>unfortunately your argument is critically flawed about firms attempting
>solely to maximize profit.  Although one would expect this to happen in
>reality firms maximize many different factors -- turnover, variety of stock,
>floor space, prestige or expertise (being able to be the definitive price 
>guide such as overstreet for example).
>
>Don't you think that in the long run a comic shop may benefit by offering
>comics at not inflated prices so as to get a reputation for not ripping me
>off.  The point that one instance of high profit has long term benefits
>negates the effects of customer loyalty.  Reports of comic shops doing the 
>decent thing are likely to increase total sales by encouraging customers to
>change shops.
 
You are correct. "Ripping off" LOYAL (as opposed to semi-regular) customers
is usually A Bad Idea.
 
But I think all of you who are not happy with the prices of Supes are
missing a point.  A competent shop sold Superman #75 to their loyal customers
AT COVER PRICE.  NObody who is a regular got the price shaft.  So really,
this arguement does not apply to most stores, and to the ones it does, well,
they deserve what they will get.
 
And as far as the rest of the customers are concerned, those of you who
who think the price of Supes 75 is "gouging" or too high are in the extrem
extreme MINORITY compared to those people who have and are dropping 20+
dollars at the drop of a hat.  So most stores will sell it at the higher
price and not worry about what you think, becuase you can't please everybody
anyways, and they will make a lot more money ignoring you.  If lots more
people felt the same way, stores could not do this, and WOULD NOT do this.
 
Also, I tend to agree that the price of Supes can't sustain the level its
at right now.  However, this is also a unique event, and may have a unique
result.  I wouldn't rub it in to the "speculators" just yet.  As an 
example, what if, say, the big "Return of Superman" event next spring/summer
just fuels the fire?  It would be ironic to hear people kicking themselves
because they could've gotten Supes 75 "at only 20 bucks last year."  Ironic
indeed.
 
MDM
>Please also E-Mail replies as I won't be at my terminal much over the next
>few days.
>
>Simon.


-- 
"To be the man, you have to BEAT the man" Ric Flair, EX-REAL World's Champion
"I'm gonna hit ya, and you're gonna fall" Ren, and Nick to John K.
"Never underestimate the greed of the American public"  Me
Micheal Marks: saab@umcc.ais.org mmarks@nyx.cs.du.edu IRC:Drstyle
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.misc