Friday, January 7, 2011

Dynamic pricing: Internet retailers are treating us like foreign tourists in Egypt

More online merchants are launching 'dynamic pricing' schemes, which adjust prices based on perceived willingness to pay. But just as foreign tourists in Egypt grow tired of being overcharged based on looks, consumers may well object to being singled out based on their Web habits.
By Justin D. Martin
Christian Science Monitor

Cairo

Fewer things frustrate tourists in Egypt more than skin-dependent pricing. Have Irish freckles? Expect to pay double in a Cairo taxi. An Italian tan? The price of that basalt model of the Sphinx just shot up 200 percent. Have glowing blue eyes? Some restaurants suddenly have no menus and prices are delivered orally. I’ve been overcharged by more merchants in this country than I can tally in Excel.
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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2011 at 12:33 AM

    Yep, dynamic pricing is everywhere now, especially on Amazon.com. You view an item multiple times, then check it the following day, prepared to order, and BOOM, the price is doubled. Great business practice, guys. I won't order, and I'll make sure to let everyone else who might know exactly why.

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