Everything South City was just discussing this very thing: Price gouging vs Supply n Demand.... Good piece by Michelle Durand San Mateo Daily Journal Price-gouging jerks July 09, 2013, 05:00 AM By Michelle Durand Daily Journal The courage and selfishness of first responders, airline staff and everybody else who sprang to help after Saturday’s deadly airline crash at San Francisco International Airport? Absolutely priceless. The stories of a San Francisco police officer rushing inside the smoking plane without protective gear? The crew who freed a trapped flight attendant and passengers who carried out others? The checking and double-checking that everybody was out? No way to ever put a price tag on that type of bravery, training and sheer adrenaline. But offering shelter to the shaken and frightened passengers unexpectedly needing a place to stay? Apparently, that is one thing whose value carries a dollar sign — multiple dollar signs, that is. San Francisco hotel rates are never anything to cheer about and the slightest of popular events breezing through a summer weekend can cause immediate spikes. Pride. Giants, even when they’re losing and certainly when it’s the Dodgers. America’s Cup. Oracle OpenWorld. Outside Lands. Fleet Week. Somehow, deadly tragedy doesn’t really sound like it fits the same criteria. Yet, at least one news outlet reported that rooms normally bringing in $100 or $200 a night were being hawked for as much as $1,200 Saturday night. The rumors of price gouging could be hearsay. In the wake of the reports, at least one South San Francisco outlet called its $999 price an error that has since been corrected. The spirit of caution hasn’t stopped an immediate denouncement by elected leaders of the alleged practice. The airport and San Francisco Travel Association were also quick to announce establishments offering discounted lodging to those affected. On a different note, shouldn’t they also be asking why Asiana Airlines isn’t coughing up some dough to get these people a roof for a night or two. Airline-provided accommodations are notoriously underwhelming but it sure beats topping off the trauma and possible injury of a crash landing with a hotel bill. Even if the gouging rumors are true, the sharp rate climb could also be nothing more than the financially painful reality of supply and demand. Capitalism is king and nobody ever said the monarchy is required to be benevolent, especially in an area already known as a pricey destination. It just sounds so shady. When disaster strikes, we want to hear stories of heroes with helping hands not greedy operators with open hands. Yet, time and time again, an already frustrating or painful incident has salt poured on the wound. Last week, as BART workers cried for salary increases, many of the Bay Area’s other working stiffs found themselves often having to drive into San Francisco where parking was in short supply and the available spaces came at a steep price. Some called the increased rates “New Year’s Eve” prices. All called the cost — up to $60 a day at some garages — ridiculous and mean-spirited. The draw for drivers isn’t even something as special as the World Series; instead it is a job — a job that the employee undoubtedly wishes paid more and had better benefits — which probably explains a little bit about why the unions aren’t finding much love for their plight. Of course, in many cities it would be cheaper to swallow the cost of parking ticket instead. Not so in the city with the highest parking meter ticket in the nation at $74. Stories like this makes us unfortunately look like a nation of looters, a community of squatters, a society in which people asking for help can sometimes fall victim all over again, a place where prioritizing numero uno can come at the expense of those in every other position. At least with the BART parking some, albeit not all, motorists have a choice between paying the exorbitant amount and finding an alternative such as Caltrain, telecommuting or finding themselves spontaneously ill. The passengers of Asiana Flight 214 and those immediately connected to their arrival can’t quite say the same so lining one’s pockets on their back is in poor taste. Success in a market economy is gaining an advantage over the competition. The mark of a business worth patronizing is one that doesn’t take advantage. Michelle Durand’s column “Off the Beat” runs every Tuesday and Thursday. She can be reached by email: michelle@smdailyjournal or by phone (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this column? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal. smdailyjournal/articles/opinions/2013-07-09/price-gouging-jerks/1771402.html
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 17:43:12 +0000
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