Is new tech making you pay more than everyone else?
Summary
In this episode of No Such Thing, hosts Manny, Noah, and Devin explore the concept of fair pricing with guest Lindsay Owens, author of Gouged. They discuss the history of fixed prices, the rise of dynamic pricing, and how inflation is often used as a cover for price hikes. Owens details her research on surveillance pricing, including a study showing that Instacart charged different customers different prices for the same items. The episode concludes with practical advice for consumers on how to combat algorithmic price discrimination and a call for a ban on personalized pricing.
Topics discussed
Intro and Chase Business sponsorship
Promos for Death of an Artist and Lots to Say
Vending machine thought experiment on price fairness
Discussion on rising grocery and coffee prices
Fairness survey scenarios: peanut butter, tables, and dolls
Price gouging and transition to expert segment
Chase Business sponsorship
Promos for Death of an Artist and Free Therapy
History of the price tag and Quaker influence
Defining fair pricing: transparency and competition
Inflation, cost-cutting limits, and price hikes
Behavioral economics and the concept of reference prices
The 1988 Coca-Cola dynamic pricing scandal
Critique of dynamic pricing and consumer control
Instacart and Eversight personalized pricing study
Algorithmic price fixing and digital footprints
Chase Business sponsorship
Promos for Death of an Artist and Free Therapy
Consumer tips: comparison shopping and VPNs
Outro, credits, and iHeartRadio promos
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