USA Flag - Inflation or price gouging

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MasterSolenoid

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Two weeks ago, I bought an Annin Flag 3x5 (tough tex) on Amazon for $23.14
This week, same flag is $38.14 .... yikes !
Question: How can the price jump so much ?
Inflation or greed ?

E-Bay prices are no better.

I may have to learn to sew to fix any tears from the wind.

I have always used the Nylon flags and get 2 years out of them (flying April - Nov).
But those prices have gone up also.
I'm hoping to get 3-4 years out of the 'tough tex' material (from Annin).

I believe two American made flag makers are Annin and Grace Alley.

Be aware, some flags sold on Amazon are Chinese made.
 
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This screenshot is for the Grace Alley, it looks like typical Amazon dynamic pricing. Long story short, the machine is watching you and knows that you want to purchase this product or a similar product. The system will purposely increase prices in order to get you to think that prices are rising. Humans tend to pull the trigger quicker when they feel the pressure of potential price increases. Learn to never sign into Amazon to browse and always do your research in a private browser window.
 

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ive ordered flags off of amazon, theres a company i order from. its made in usa flags company. local company out of iowa. great product that last.
 
Leo99 said:
You can't have price gouging for a non-necessity like a flag.

The seller should be charging as much as the market will bear. If consumers will pay $38, why should they sell it at $23? That capitalism.
Click to expand...
It's capitalism when everyone else pays the high price.

It's price gouging when the OP pays the high price.
 
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Costco has a high quality flag at a good price.
Price is set by the market. If they don't sell, price will come down or the item will cease to be offered.
 
I buy my flags through my congressman’s office. USA made, great quality, and reasonably priced. There’s the option of having it flown over the capital at no charge and it comes with a certificate of authenticity and the date it was flown. I’ve purchased many over the years and have given them to veteran friends and family members who either fly them or fold and display them in shadow boxes. Edit: Just checked my congressman’s web site and there is now a $9 charge to have a flag flown over the capital. $20 for a 3x5 nylon flag flown over the capital excluding shipping. $11 if not flown excluding shipping. Still a wonderful unique gift! (y)
 
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IveBeenRued said:
This screenshot is for the Grace Alley, it looks like typical Amazon dynamic pricing. Long story short, the machine is watching you and knows that you want to purchase this product or a similar product. The system will purposely increase prices in order to get you to think that prices are rising. Humans tend to pull the trigger quicker when they feel the pressure of potential price increases. Learn to never sign into Amazon to browse and always do your research in a private browser window.
Click to expand...
Bingo.

And algorithms from different sites will also watch other sites. IE eBay watches Amazon and vice versa. Technically, I don't think eBay has the automation that Amazon does but it is done at least in an aggressive fashion by the sellers.

Really, so much goes on to manipulate buyers it is disgusting and scary at the same time.
 
gman2304 said:
I buy my flags through my congressman’s office. USA made, great quality, and reasonably priced. There’s the option of having it flown over the capital at no charge and it comes with a certificate of authenticity and the date it was flown. I’ve purchased many over the years and have given them to veteran friends and family members who either fly them or fold and display them in shadow boxes. Edit: Just checked my congressman’s web site and there is now a $9 charge to have a flag flown over the capital. $20 for a 3x5 nylon flag flown over the capital excluding shipping. $11 if not flown excluding shipping. Still a wonderful unique gift! (y)
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$9 for a one second interval . Save your money . https://architectofthecapital.org/posts/2016/5/30/flag-elevator
 
First, "price gouging" doesn't apply to non-essential items, if at all. Second, Amazon is notorious for wild price swings often as frequently as intra-day. I've learned to check CamelCamelCamel to see the price history, and park an item in my cart until the price goes down. And third, inflation is here and it's about 25% since 2020 (the reasons for which are not discussion-able on this forum).
 
IveBeenRued said:
This screenshot is for the Grace Alley, it looks like typical Amazon dynamic pricing. Long story short, the machine is watching you and knows that you want to purchase this product or a similar product. The system will purposely increase prices in order to get you to think that prices are rising. Humans tend to pull the trigger quicker when they feel the pressure of potential price increases. Learn to never sign into Amazon to browse and always do your research in a private browser window.
Click to expand...
Interesting
 
IveBeenRued said:
This screenshot is for the Grace Alley, it looks like typical Amazon dynamic pricing. Long story short, the machine is watching you and knows that you want to purchase this product or a similar product. The system will purposely increase prices in order to get you to think that prices are rising. Humans tend to pull the trigger quicker when they feel the pressure of potential price increases. Learn to never sign into Amazon to browse and always do your research in a private browser window.
Click to expand...
When I have interest in a product on amazon I look at the product numerous times over a few days.
In my experience the price will drop, sometimes a lot if you are patient.
 
IveBeenRued said:
This screenshot is for the Grace Alley, it looks like typical Amazon dynamic pricing. Long story short, the machine is watching you and knows that you want to purchase this product or a similar product. The system will purposely increase prices in order to get you to think that prices are rising. Humans tend to pull the trigger quicker when they feel the pressure of potential price increases. Learn to never sign into Amazon to browse and always do your research in a private browser window.
Click to expand...
Wait, you're saying that Amazon will change prices based on the user and calculated interest in a specific product? I figure someone would have noticed this and made big stink over it.
MasterSolenoid said:
Two weeks ago, I bought an Annin Flag 3x5 (tough tex) on Amazon for $23.14
This week, same flag is $38.14 .... yikes !
Question: How can the price jump so much ?
Click to expand...
A lot of Amazon seller prices jumped recently due to a "fuel surcharge" to sellers. I'm sure a lot of these price hikes are just taking advantage of inflation as a reason to jack prices up even higher than usual.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy...lation-fee-on-sellers-who-use-prime-shipping/
 
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