Thrawn said:
Nice argument, but incorrect. Please post any type of proof that these things change prices due to oil prices. They do not. As you said, you can't name anything. Thats because there isn't anything to name.
If you use the example of a microwave, the short term oil fluctuations are meaningless. Such types of electronics are typically imported from Asia, and as such have a 6 month plus lag time to the US, and are mostly transported by boat. Prices of items are normally set when either the product is purchased (before it is manufactured) or when it is introduced (before the item is shipped for the first time). Corporations do not renegotiate prices for commodities in the short term. You're talking 6 months for a short contract.
You are correct in some respects, the cost DOES get into the price at some point. But these doomsayers who think that the price of the gas pump effects the word are nothing but incorrect.
Well, I wasn't really making an argument, so please don't refer to my reply as such. Merely stating that, depending on the item in question, there might be an increase to offset the added price of gas, but that it's so small, only people who are incredibly vigilant on rising prices, or people who are so poor that every increase hits them no matter how small, would notice.
As far as my microwave example goes, it seems you're talking about the price of getting that microwave (or any item) from its
manufacturer to the company/wholesaler planning to sell it on the consumer level. Actually, I was referring to the
company/wholesaler getting that item from the ports to its large regional warehouses to its individual stores (with a reroute at a smaller warehouse, if necessary), so it can be sold to the consumer.
Yes, the manufacturer & the company have a set contract that won't affect their prices (unless they have some sort of clause to compensate for The Unknown-be it a ship held up in Customs, or perhaps a sudden spike in fuel costs, not being a lawyer for every manufacturer or company in the world, I probably wouldn't be privy to such details). And the manufacturer probably has a Suggested Retail Price for the product, as well as a minimum price for which the product can be advertised, as well as perhaps a maximum price which the company selling to consumers must not cross, lest they possibly lose the contract with that manufacturer.
Many stores tend to sell products somewhere between the Suggested Retail Price & the Minimum Advertised Price, to stay competitive with other stores. A DVD with a MSRP of $22.99 might sell at Target for $19.99, and then at Wal-Mart for $19.88. You'll see this happen more in larger warehouse all-in-one stores than you would in a mall or boutique-style store, but there is usually some room between the suggested and actual price (this is why people go nuts watching The Price Is Right, when Bob Barker announces the "actual retail price" because that's usually the Suggested Retail Price, something many people wouldn't pay: "1500 dollars for that ugly couch? Come ON, BOB!")
So if a store is selling an item between Suggested Retail Price (SRP) & Minimum Advertised Price (MAP), and the rise in fuel costs necessitates an increase, however small, they would still be within the price range that the contract stipulates.
If you really want to argue how wrong I am, feel free, but I thought I made it pretty clear than my reply was in the land of Hypotheticals, Maybes & What-Ifs. I didn't think it was a position I HAD to defend with cold hard facts, because it didn't seem like I was engaging in a debate, just a thought, a possibility that people hadn't thought of. During crises, we focus so much on the obvious price gougers breaking the law by suddenly charging triple prices for water or bread, that we can easily ignore an inconsequential price increase on many items in a store. I suppose I could call my local Wegman's or Target Manager and ask him/her if any prices have gone up due to the increase in gas prices, if it'll make you feel better. Forgive me if I don't jump right on it, though.
If you misunderstood my original reply, I hope this one was clearer. Now, go back to arguing with the people who REALLY hate you.
