Thread

1. handoflixue · 1790902443 · focus · HN ↗

   "price food items differently depending on where they are bought"

   Everyone is aware that they have been doing this since forever, right?

   Like, you've traveled to a different location, and discovered prices are different in different cities?

   Or how prices downtown are usually higher?

   Some of the other companies discussed go beyond this, yes, but the headline is just absurd

   1. tokioyoyo · 1790903050 · focus · HN ↗

      They definitely do, I agree. But it's also fun to see how some other companies keep the prices uniform across the country, here in Japan. Real estate prices are insanely different between my neighbourhood and 2 hours outside of the city. Yet the products are the same prices. I understand the general idea, reasons, and logistics, but it's still fun to experience it.
   2. hn_throwaway_99 · 1790908865 · focus · HN ↗

      Agreed, and the use of "AI" in the headline is basically just ragebait. There were companies in the late 90s and I'm sure earlier that sold "pricing optimization software" - that's literally what capitalism is built on: charging a price that optimizes profits. And of course many companies have used things like coupons as a tool for price discrimination for decades.

      There are parts further down in the article that are more concerning because they're using what should really be more private data in their pricing algorithms, like your geolocation, personal history or even the type of phone you have. But "store location" has been an aspect in pricing algorithms since basically the dawn of capitalism.

   3. mingus88 · 1790948998 · focus · HN ↗

      This article expresses the issue so poorly I almost think it’s corporate propaganda

      The actual issue that is novel is dynamic pricing. Not just a location based rate, but surveillance that raises your individual price. In other words, at the same store, with the same item, we pay different prices because the store has determined you will pay more than me.

      Seattle is drafting legislation right now to outlaw this practice and predictably big supermarket chains are out there saying it is a war on discounts

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