Why Do Companies Charge More for Things That Are In Short Supply?

Imagine you have a lemonade stand, and only one person wants to buy your lemonade. You can sell it for whatever you want, right? But if a lot of people come by wanting lemonade, you can charge more because they’re all eager to get it. That’s how companies raise prices when something is in short supply, there are more people who want it than there are things available.

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Examples

  1. A lemonade stand has only one glass left, and all the kids want it.
  2. There are five people at a bakery wanting the last slice of cake.
  3. A toy store runs out of a popular Christmas gift, so they raise its price.

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