undefined | Better HN

0 pointsfireflash3810mo ago0 comments

Mm, it feels unfair. I was trying to reason through why I think it's an ethical problem and that's what I've come up with. You're not treating people equally - whether it's in person bartering where you make assumptions about them based on snap judgements or via airlines seen here.

There's an even bigger fairness issue when there's such a huge data knowledge gap between the parties, both knowing that there is this hidden price structure as well as knowing a ton about you. So there's privacy implications too.

Edit: it's not undercutting. It's price discrimination. You know the thing people fucking hate when trying to buy a car. Half the reason people liked buying Tesla is cause the price is the price is the price.

0 comments

zimzam10mo ago

I think this is a framing issue.

Is it fair to charge people with different sized families different prices (per unit) for toilet paper?

vs.

Is it fair to charge people different prices (per unit) for different sized packages of toilet paper?

The former makes it seem nefarious but the latter is commonly accepted as fair. Same for airline tickets - if there's a discount for buying in bulk that's just as fair as a discount for buying toilet paper in bulk.

JumpCrisscross10mo ago

> It's price discrimination. You know the thing people fucking hate when trying to buy a car

Transparent pricing worked as a positive differentiator for cars. (Saturn. Tesla.)

I believe airlines have tried their hand at it. But it doesn’t budge the needle. If there is a single enduring truth to at least American airline demand, it’s that most consumers will pick the cheapest ticket. Almost nothing else matters, when it comes time to pay for it, to almost all of the flying public.

valleyer10mo ago

> If there is a single enduring truth to at least American airline demand, it’s that most consumers will pick the cheapest ticket. Almost nothing else matters, when it comes time to pay for it, to almost all of the flying public.

Perhaps that's because all the U.S. airlines have engaged in such a race to the bottom on quality that there's no other distinguishing factor. I'd happily pay more for a more pleasant experience, but no one offers it.

ghaff10mo ago

They do. But it's a big premium. Which I might pay for especially long haul international but I probably won't for a domestic flight.

1 more reply

JumpCrisscross10mo ago

> Perhaps that's because all the U.S. airlines have engaged in such a race to the bottom on quality

Nope. The rule is proven by the exception. When carriers and new entrants have tried to disprove it, it’s generally proved true.

> I'd happily pay more for a more pleasant experience, but no one offers it

Between premium seats and private charter it absolutely exists. Most people can’t or won’t pay it, however, because it’s not worth that much to them.

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointsfireflash3810mo ago0 comments

0 comments

zimzam10mo ago

I think this is a framing issue.

Is it fair to charge people with different sized families different prices (per unit) for toilet paper?

vs.

Is it fair to charge people different prices (per unit) for different sized packages of toilet paper?

JumpCrisscross10mo ago

> It's price discrimination. You know the thing people fucking hate when trying to buy a car

Transparent pricing worked as a positive differentiator for cars. (Saturn. Tesla.)

valleyer10mo ago

ghaff10mo ago

They do. But it's a big premium. Which I might pay for especially long haul international but I probably won't for a domestic flight.

1 more reply

JumpCrisscross10mo ago

> Perhaps that's because all the U.S. airlines have engaged in such a race to the bottom on quality

Nope. The rule is proven by the exception. When carriers and new entrants have tried to disprove it, it’s generally proved true.

> I'd happily pay more for a more pleasant experience, but no one offers it

Between premium seats and private charter it absolutely exists. Most people can’t or won’t pay it, however, because it’s not worth that much to them.

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse