Because it snowed last night
in [Motorcycles]
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From: don (Calgary) on 11 Apr 2010 15:18 On Sun, 11 Apr 2010 11:47:43 -0700 (PDT), "tomorrow(a)erols.com" <tomorrowaterolsdotcom(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > >> Are the prices for those items high? Maybe. If they are too high, >> people will stop buying them, or some entrepreneur will set up in the >> market offering a more reasonable alternative. > >No Don, you don't get it. It's just like car prices that used to be >so high in the U.S., with everyone paying different prices for their >cars (and motorcycles), and no one knowing what the right price was, >until the government stepped in and set the prices so that everyone >now pays the same, competitive, low price for the same car (or >motorcycle). Everything is much better now. Sometimes this stuff comes under the heading be careful what you ask for you just might get it. Look at the UK, they drank the Kyoto Kool Aid and have embraced a revised road tax based on GG emissions. A tax that directs them into driving the type of autos the government thinks they should. Governments should not be thinking for individuals or business.
From: J. Clarke on 11 Apr 2010 18:26 On 4/11/2010 2:47 PM, tomorrow(a)erols.com wrote: > On Apr 10, 11:31 pm, "don (Calgary)"<hd.f...(a)telus.net> wrote: >> On Sat, 10 Apr 2010 21:51:29 -0500, Chuck Rhode >> >> <CRh...(a)LacusVeris.com> wrote: >>> On Sat, 10 Apr 2010 15:45:35 +0000, don (Calgary) wrote: >> >>>> We all have the same opportunities. I don't have a problem with a >>>> lack of transparency related to the pricing policies of private >>>> companies. They have no obligation to charge the same fee to every >>>> customer. >> >>> Well, there you go then! >> >>> US Federal law disagrees ... or used to. Firms engaged in interstate >>> commerce can discriminate but have a legal burden to show how any >>> discrimination makes sense in terms of their costs. >> >> Easy enough to do, but even that is too much meddling in the free >> market system for me. >> >> >> >>> You would do well in the US health-care system. Here a clinic will >>> not (cannot) give you a straight answer about how much a flu shot >>> costs because it depends.... >> >> I have never had to shop around for flu shots. I have never had a flu >> shot and if I chose to have one they are funded through the tax system >> in Alberta. No additional cost to the recipient. >> >>> I don't know about you, but I HATE >>> shopping for flu shots, land line phone service, cellphone service, >>> internet service, and cable TV. Largely this is because price/value >>> comparison between providers is so G.. d....d opaque. >> >> It's a part of everyday life. Not a big deal to me. >> >> I wouldn't care to have a market where all the providers offered >> exactly the same product for exactly the same price. Often it is the >> variation in the packages a provider might offer that dictates the >> difference in price. Personally I prefer to have those options. I'd >> like to have more. >> >>> That is, I believe, THE reason why prices for these things are so >>> high: People are disinclined to switch because they don't know what >>> they'll get even when they know what they've had. >> >> Are the prices for those items high? Maybe. If they are too high, >> people will stop buying them, or some entrepreneur will set up in the >> market offering a more reasonable alternative. > > No Don, you don't get it. It's just like car prices that used to be > so high in the U.S., with everyone paying different prices for their > cars (and motorcycles), and no one knowing what the right price was, > until the government stepped in and set the prices so that everyone > now pays the same, competitive, low price for the same car (or > motorcycle). Everything is much better now. Did I miss some sarcasm?
From: Chuck Rhode on 11 Apr 2010 23:18 On Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:26:12 -0400, J. Clarke wrote: > Did I miss some sarcasm? I believe there's a whiff left in the air. -- ... Be Seeing You, ... Chuck Rhode, Sheboygan, WI, USA ... Weather: http://LacusVeris.com/WX ... 43° — Wind Calm
From: Doug Payne on 12 Apr 2010 07:21 On 11/04/2010 9:54 AM, Road Glidin' Don wrote: > On Apr 10, 6:33 am, Doug Payne<dwpa...(a)uwaterloo.ca> wrote: > >> Snowed here yesterday as well. On my first day of retirement. Jeez. So I >> did what any self-respecting cold-blooded Canadian would do, I went for >> a nice long ride. > > Congrats on the retirement, Doug. > > Now I'm regretting having signed up for the "Freedom 85" Plan... Thanks! I went out and celebrated with the youngsters (only 40 and 51) yesterday, tearing up the snowmobile trails and No Winter Maintenance Roads. Nice to know that I can still manhandle a 450-lb bike up and down boulder and clay hills and though mud-baths. We even found a foot or so of residual snow in a couple of leeward spots in the bush. After 36 years I just decided one day to chuck it all and go riding. That, and I'm gonna be a grandpa for the first time in July.
From: Bob Mann on 13 Apr 2010 09:04
On Apr 10, 9:51 pm, Chuck Rhode <CRh...(a)LacusVeris.com> wrote: > > That is, I believe, THE reason why prices for these things are so > high: People are disinclined to switch because they don't know what > they'll get even when they know what they've had. > Here, in Canada, most internet rates fall well below US rates from what I have seen quoted, and that is before introductory discounts. Competition is fierce, largely equal and quite limited. Most areas have one cable provider competing with one phone carrier.. It's often an all or nothing proposition. My phone company offers discounts for bundling so we have home, cell and internet through them. I have satellite TV although that is also available from the phone company. The cable company also offers all of the above except cell phone. The main reason we stay with the phone company is that we get a further employee discount as my wife as a long time employee. My son has flipped back and forth between them, received loyalty dicounts to stay, whatever is available. I see nothing wrong with this. If that is how these companies want to conduct business then they are only encouraging people to play their game to their advantage. If they should wake up some time and just offer good service at a reasonable rate then people will also stop playing games. Price comparisons are easy because all the rates are right out there in print for all to see. Flu shots are pretty much one price everywhere too. Sometimes free if you meet the conditions. Bob |