the.com/gouging
charging what the market will bear, right up until the market breaks your kneecaps.
means raising prices to exploit an emergency or lack of alternatives, rather than because costs actually rose.
from from the tool sense of gouge, to scoop out a chunk with a sharp blade — the price version leaves your wallet with the same hollowed-out feeling.
legal statusillegal in most us states during declared emergencies
classic casehurricane-zone generators selling for 10x overnight
economist defensesome argue it rations scarce goods efficiently
enforcement problemproving intent versus real cost spikes is hard