Fed rate increase = lower hifi prices?

@ghasley You are right with regards to your last paragraph when it comes to pricing. Unfortunately, in a true capitalistic society the ability to have no price controls is paramount, and as such free market reign is also paramount. The result of this is what we are now seeing in a number of areas of inflation...caused by legitimate market factors, and most likely many non-legitimate market factors ( like simple profiteering and gouging!) ( LOL, unfortunately some will probably argue that even these non-legitimate factors are perfectly acceptable in a truly free capitalistic system!)

@daveyf 

Indeed. Profiteering and gouging are interesting concepts aren't they. I don't know of too many people who willingly sell something they own for less than market value. I want someone to sell me a perfect JBL Paragon at its original MSRP! Somewhat depends on which side of the transaction one finds themselves. I sortof chuckle to myself though when I hear the accusations of gouging. The opposite of much of the accusations of profiteering or gouging is subsidizing.

I don't get a vote, I just get the privilege of participating, but I believe in free markets so I am equally opposed to price ceilings and/or price subsidies.

I wonder if we could ever reach a consensus on which industries should or should not be allowed to price their products as they see fit?

OK, in the context of this thread, lets say that one such industry to have price controls is that of audio/hifi equipment.

Who or what would be granted the ability to determine fair prices?

edit oh, now this appeared -

I believe in free markets so I am equally opposed to price ceilings and/or price subsidies.

What was that little fair is fair motherhood statement?

@daveyf there’s so much wrong with what retiredfarmer wrote I’m not even gonna take the time to respond. I’ll just say the US Dollar is up since covid and leave it at that. If you wanna put any credibility into the crap he’s spewing be my guest. IMHO he has absolutely no idea what he’s talking about and should stick to opining on farming. If you buy into his crap about us being headed to hyper inflation you’re a fool.

I don't pretend to understand what people mean by the term "price gouging". 

I googled it and it was explained as a situation where in times of emergency (however defined) certain goods are subject to rationing to prevent things like hoarding.   Price gouging then occurs if some people find themselves with more than they require on-sell for an exorbitant price.

Has that happened?  Did I blink?