General Discussion

ProfessorGAC

(64,827 posts)

4. Only Perhaps

Sat Jul 10, 2021, 06:50 PM

Jul 2021

Last edited Sat Jul 10, 2021, 07:54 PM - Edit history (1)

This meets the literal definition of gouging, but microeconomically, gouging typically includes an element of essential demand.
There is no essential demand with rental cars in vacation destinations. People don't HAVE TO take a vacation when supply is weak.
The sudden increases in retail price when some locales ran dry of gas after the pipeline fiasco, by stations in nearby locales comes much closer to gouging as the term is typically applied.
Gas has essential demand. Adding onto the already supply constricted higher price was clearly an opportunistic exploitation of a temporary condition & ensuing panic.
There is no panic over rental cars. Nobody MUST have a rental car.
Is it economic condition exploitation? Yes, it sure looks like it.
Is it conventional gouging? Probably not.

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Rental Car Gouging [View all] Prosper Jul 2021 OP

I have no clue what rental car prices usually are. Treefrog Jul 2021 #1

Then there's need to respond. Dream Girl Jul 2021 #5

So you posted, but have no interest in further informing those who show they'd like to Treefrog Jul 2021 #26

Post removed Post removed Jul 2021 #29

Okay, what in the world is your issue with me asking for more information ? Treefrog Jul 2021 #34

It's highly unlikely that you'll get a response. NurseJackie Jul 2021 #40

I see that now. Treefrog Jul 2021 #41

Good to know EYESORE 9001 Jul 2021 #10

Okay. Treefrog Jul 2021 #37

Which was every bit as useful as yours EYESORE 9001 Jul 2021 #38

Huh? Treefrog Jul 2021 #42

Why post??? Nt USALiberal Jul 2021 #15

Because I thought someone might clue me in? Treefrog Jul 2021 #25

I know what you mean. A link with some actual numbers, or... NurseJackie Jul 2021 #32

Thank you. It confused me too. Treefrog Jul 2021 #33

I only know about one state:during the shutdown Hawaiian rental car agencies had to sell their stock Hekate Jul 2021 #2

I've read that a lot sold off their fleets over the past year AZSkiffyGeek Jul 2021 #3

Only Perhaps ProfessorGAC Jul 2021 #4

Nicely done bluecollar2 Jul 2021 #7

I agree, "gouging" requires an ethical dimension... reACTIONary Jul 2021 #14

Rental car rates were already rising due to all the consolidation in the industry. I'd begun to Dream Girl Jul 2021 #6

There are all sorts of Covid-related distortions going on MerryHolidays Jul 2021 #8

Supply and demand left-of-center2012 Jul 2021 #9

When I travel for biz or personal, I rarely rent a car anymore... VarryOn Jul 2021 #11

I paid almost double what I would typically pay last month when I rented in Fort Lauderdale. marmar Jul 2021 #12

The last two times we rented a car Cairycat Jul 2021 #13

Typical economy car rents for $275 a day. Two years ago this type of car rented for about $30 a day. Prosper Jul 2021 #16

Thank you for providing information an op could have done. Treefrog Jul 2021 #27

I have to think there is some gouging going on Doremus Jul 2021 #17

Rental car gouging. Prosper Jul 2021 #18

They all sold their fleet in 2020 KentuckyWoman Jul 2021 #19

Prices are higher but not that much. SYFROYH Jul 2021 #20

Last week an economy car rented for twice that for the Prosper Jul 2021 #22

Wow. That's nuts. I suppose its location and demand dependent. SYFROYH Jul 2021 #23

Zipcars, what happened to it? Big for a while appalachiablue Jul 2021 #21

They're still bug, expanding as a matter of fact sir pball Jul 2021 #28

That's good to know, I used to see appalachiablue Jul 2021 #30

They're definitely in DC sir pball Jul 2021 #31

Lucky you, that's a wonderful area with appalachiablue Jul 2021 #39

About double here in Michigan, from pre-virus days. roamer65 Jul 2021 #24

We reserved a mid-sized car in Phoenix. Hertz. mainer Jul 2021 #35

Supply is way down, prices are way up obamanut2012 Jul 2021 #36