"Overcharging" the rich to offer subsidy to the poor and needy, How moral?

[Maslate]

I have no issue when businesses help the poor. Perhaps most of us have this sense of responsibility to the disadvantaged. I also have no issue when expensive businesses are listing their goods and services at exorbitant prices simply because their niche is the ultra-rich. I don't care if they're fooling each other.

But I think I'd take offense when the same thing is offered at different prices to customers depending on their economic status. That doesn't seem fair. Just put a uniform price tag on your product or service for everybody and sell it regardless of their standing.

Or much better, separate the items, this lane is for rich buyers, while the other lane intended for the unfortunate ones. That way, rich buyers will no longer be confused that you are offering higher prices for them with the same, exact item.

And for your business not to be abused, ask for ID's for those really poor ones, because there is high chances that even the rich, unknown people will also hide their real identity and pretend to be poor so they can avail the lesser prices on your store.

[Nasdel4]

Being rich or poor are personal choices most times and I think this is all about personal ideology. I think prices should affect everyone equally despite their financial status. I think there are levels to everything including quality of materials used in production.
When you buy quality you don't expect it to be cheap and if you can't afford it I'm sure there are other products that serve similar purposes so instead of feeling bad they should think of alternatives.
If the cost of producing a quality product is not considered, the producer ends up losing. If the cost is considered then it affects the price which affects the people buying the end product. Everything wasn't made for everyone which is why you need to be intentional when doing anything because like I said there are levels to everything.

[Darker45]

~snip~

Or much better, separate the items, this lane is for rich buyers, while the other lane intended for the unfortunate ones. That way, rich buyers will no longer be confused that you are offering higher prices for them with the same, exact item.

I don't find this acceptable. On the contrary, this is actually revolting.

I don't think something like this will work, at least as far as my country's context is concerned. Imagine working hard, and living a better life as a result, but you're barred from picking items from a specific lane in a grocery store simply because you're supposed to get them at a higher price from a different lane. That seems insulting. Am I being punished for succeeding in life?

I think Fortify is correct. Let there be different brands and prices, and let customers buy what they can afford.

[Agbamoni]

I'm considering this topic because of the poor and needy. When we propose ideas that can help keep businesses profitable, we are burdened by the fact that they are probably going to be at the detriment of the poor and needy. So, for conscience sake, we focus on workable ideas that support the poor without affecting businesses negatively.

The idea does not make sense at all. Most rich people you see today work their ass off day and night to get to that level. They will feel cheated when they are buying the same quality as the poor at a higher price, while the poor get it at a lower price. The reason why different quality of the same product exists is because of class.

The poor can afford the cheaper and lower-quality products, while the rich buy the expensive ones. Same product but different quality. This will put the rich and the poor in their places.

[Yeesha]

If I discover that you are charging me high for patronizing you, because you want to sell low to people you consider poor I will stop patronizing you. If I decide to dress well doesn’t mean that I should be over charged for what I’m buying. If you want to run a charity home for the poor in your business, make it known to people so that any one who want to donate to that course will support willing. I didn’t steal the money you think I have. I worked hard for it. The government are holding the resources of the people. Such idea will crumble your business. I don’t think I can ever do that if I’m a business owner.

Not just you, I believe everybody will do the same, including me, because that's not equity. The mode of dressing can sometimes change individual's reality but it can never change their background and personality. Some poors also dress nicely, in fact, some wealthy people are even more humble than the poors. Without doing injustice, some businesses are still favourable to the poors, because when it comes to purchasing something or a commodity, poor people usually bargain, unlike some rich people they will just give you the exact same amount that is tag on the products without bargaining. OP don't have to stress himself about that, because they are shops that are made purposely for the riches and poor. So as an individual, you understand your financial status/ situation, so you will just go directly to where is favourable, and suitable for you.

[MorganaX]

I have read alot of post and I still don't understand why we support and moralize business that steals from the rich, we talk like they overcharge the rich to provide for the poor whilst they sell the actual market price which already contains a sizable gain and they collect more from the rich through appearances to make more, it's not moral if this accept from the both economic parties.

[abhiseshakana]

The idea does not make sense at all. Most rich people you see today work their ass off day and night to get to that level. They will feel cheated when they are buying the same quality as the poor at a higher price, while the poor get it at a lower price. The reason why different quality of the same product exists is because of class.

The poor can afford the cheaper and lower-quality products, while the rich buy the expensive ones. Same product but different quality. This will put the rich and the poor in their places.

In my country there is a concept of Warung Serba 3000 (Rupiah 3000/ 17 cent food stalls) the concept is by paying 17 cents, anyone is free to eat as much as they like until they’re full. I think this in line with your idea of supporting the poor without damaging the business ecosystem. Practically, they selling one serving of complete and nutritious food at a price far below capital. Rich or poor people are treated the same but affluent customers, donors, or corporate sponsors pay the standard price or even a higher amount or purchase donation vouchers . The profit  the owner get from these more fortunate individuals directly covers the cost deficit for the meals provided to the needy.

But these businesses have managed to survive thanks to mutual cooperation and support from the community. In this modern world , the concept of profit has undergone a shift in meaning and it is no longer merely material gain , but rather encompasses social capital and the sustainability of the community.

[Rabata]

I have read alot of post and I still don't understand why we support and moralize business that steals from the rich, we talk like they overcharge the rich to provide for the poor whilst they sell the actual market price which already contains a sizable gain and they collect more from the rich through appearances to make more, it's not moral if this accept from the both economic parties.

It is very important for a businessman to maintain honesty and fairness at all times, because no matter what the situation is, he should maintain honesty in conducting business. It is natural to make profit in business, but it is not fair to raise the price irrationally just because the buyer's financial condition, that is, the person is rich.

It is not right to charge more money from a rich person just because he spends more money. Again, even if the intention is to benefit the poor, one should not charge more than others regarding the fact. Determining a fair price by considering the quality, cost and market conditions of the product is the best thing for a businessman. This not only benefits the business, but also maintains the trust of the buyers. Therefore, it is more important for businessmen to continue their business properly without looking at the rich and the poor.

[The Cryptovator]

There are a lot of business models in my country; there are categories as well. For rich people there are different markets where the price is pretty high; they don’t need bargains since they don’t like it. There are fixed-price businesses as well, where everyone has to pay the same price, whether someone is poor or rich.

Very rich people are even shopping from abroad, and very poor people are buying products from the street. I have visited ten countries; almost everywhere, business models seem the same. There are high-class markets and street markets as well. Rich and poor people could choose accordingly. There is no subsidy; this is business models.

[BigTarget]

I'm considering this topic because of the poor and needy. When we propose ideas that can help keep businesses profitable, we are burdened by the fact that they are probably going to be at the detriment of the poor and needy. So, for conscience sake, we focus on workable ideas that support the poor without affecting businesses negatively.

Some of my colleagues dress poorly when they want to go to the market. They do this because sellers consider the physical appearance of buyers before considering the price of goods and services.  Out of pity, these sellers could give considerable discounts to the less privileged.

Paying more for a product to support the poor is a good course. I know many supermarkets that encourage customers to give to the poor through different platforms. But it should be voluntary. The rich shouldn't be forced to pay more because it would be redistributed to the poor. Many people work very hard to become rich, so it would be unfair to coerce them to giveinto giving to the poor.

Thank god that my nation forces every seller, from a big market to a small vendor on the corner of a street, to put out prices so that they are fixed. They can't change it; the price is written right in front of an item, so it is the same for everyone. Not that I dress well, on summers I wear a jean and a black basic shirt, and on winters I wear a jean and a black hoodie, that's it, and if I make 10 million dollars today, that would be one of the only things in my life not to change, I would keep on wearing those, maybe higher quality, but same logic.

Still, even though I do not look rich, I am not the type of guy who can haggle. If something is 100 bucks, I will never ask for it to be dropped to 90 dollars; if the price is too high for me to buy, I won't buy; if it is low enough for me to buy, I will buy. That's it. I can never negotiate on price for any item ever; it's not in my character.

[Proty]

 I don't think this is the  right approach, customer should pay for the goods or services based on the quality they received and not based on their financial status  whether they are poor or rich. However, am not against helping those that are poor, but it shouldn't be in a manner that the rich customer may see it as being treated unfairly because of incontinent pricing. This may also have a negative effects on some poor customer because this may not encourage them to work harder.
Another thing is that, it  will affect business because there won't be consistent in price making customers to lose trust which may affect profit . There are different ways to assist the poor by giving bonuses to those that want it and offering charities, this way it won't affect businesses.

[alastantiger]

Thank god that my nation forces every seller, from a big market to a small vendor on the corner of a street, to put out prices so that they are fixed. They can't change it; the price is written right in front of an item, so it is the same for everyone. Not that I dress well, on summers I wear a jean and a black basic shirt, and on winters I wear a jean and a black hoodie, that's it, and if I make 10 million dollars today, that would be one of the only things in my life not to change, I would keep on wearing those, maybe higher quality, but same logic.

That is how big shopping malls do wirh the price tag for everything so that both the rich and poor can decide if they will be willing to pay that much for the item that they want to buy. It is going to be a good idea if all markets adopts this strategy because when item do not have a price tag then they give the seller and advantage to give out any price that they want to charge people based on how they dress or look. Over charging anyone is cheating and should not be a way of doing business because they are making people spend more than they are supposed to and this can cause the price of other things to be increasing too because the individual buying from you will add the extra expende to their own goods or services.

[Hamza2424]

The balance would be to give fixed prices, and if anyone starts to bargain, you resist. But if they are better at bargaining, then eventually you have to sell to them. I can't give you a universal solution because a solution can work worldwide, but then it won't work for every business, and vice versa. Therefore, bro, the only common ground I can see for both here is fixed prices.

Businesses are not charities that you can shape in a way that allows the poor to buy, so draw a line based on your pocket that you think you can manage for the poor without affecting your business. If you really care for the poor, then you have to make sure they never find out.

Otherwise, everyone will exploit you. The truly needy would never come to the shop or ask for anything. You have to be really good at reading people when you are in business.

[JoyceBTC]

If I discover that you are charging me high for patronizing you, because you want to sell low to people you consider poor I will stop patronizing you. If I decide to dress well doesn’t mean that I should be over charged for what I’m buying. If you want to run a charity home for the poor in your business, make it known to people so that any one who want to donate to that course will support willing. I didn’t steal the money you think I have. I worked hard for it. The government are holding the resources of the people. Such idea will crumble your business. I don’t think I can ever do that if I’m a business owner.

I will also do the same because that act is insane for a business owner to do. How will u charge me high just because of the way I look, so you think I have money and how will u expect me to feel later after finding out that I was cheated, because that’s clear cheating. Business should be business, your price should be your price, just set your price and anybody who can afford should afford it but if you feel like you want everybody to be able to patronize you, then make your goods very affordable.

[Dogedegen]

I don't think this is the  right approach, customer should pay for the goods or services based on the quality they received and not based on their financial status  whether they are poor or rich. However, am not against helping those that are poor, but it shouldn't be in a manner that the rich customer may see it as being treated unfairly because of incontinent pricing. This may also have a negative effects on some poor customer because this may not encourage them to work harder.
Another thing is that, it  will affect business because there won't be consistent in price making customers to lose trust which may affect profit . There are different ways to assist the poor by giving bonuses to those that want it and offering charities, this way it won't affect businesses.

It is never a good idea to push these kinds of ideas, of abusing one group over the other or stealing from one group for the other. This kind of ideas are very popular among poor people and less educated people and that is how politicnas trick them to vote for left parties. They tell them all problems will be solved if only we took more away from the rich, and that they will get more money. Often this is from the money printer. And we know that this kind of approach never solves any kind of problem, it can provide short term relief and after that things get much worse than they were before. Any kind of forced abuse never comes to a good thing, and even many subsidies that we could say are economically smart get abused in all kinds of ways. The problem is that they make the incentives messed up and wrong.

Businesses are not charities that you can shape in a way that allows the poor to buy, so draw a line based on your pocket that you think you can manage for the poor without affecting your business. If you really care for the poor, then you have to make sure they never find out.

Unfortunately the modern youth is completely misguided, you can see actually many forum members with old accounts being anti corporation and thinking that businesses owe them something.

[programmer3666]

In certain countries it's normal for businesses to charge customers based on their economic status. If a customer look wealthy or rich, he's charged higher than normal. If he looks poor, and possibly bargains really hard, he could end up getting a fair deal, sometimes below the cost price or eiven free of charge, typically for beggars who have nothing atall to pay... yet such model remains profitable.
Customers who don't get the idea may feel cheated and probably warn others to avoid such places. Others are understanding enough and happy to pay especially since the goods and services are relatively cheap compared to wealthy places. In Rwanda for example, I watched a foreigner trying to persuade fellow visitors to consider this fact, and for the sake of the poor.  
I believe the model is what sustains the poor... businesses are willing to keep price extremely low because of poverty. If some end up not being profitable, they are still able to survive from other people's helps.


I'm considering this topic because of the poor and needy. When we propose ideas that can help keep businesses profitable, we are burdened by the fact that they are probably going to be at the detriment of the poor and needy. So, for conscience sake, we focus on workable ideas that support the poor without affecting businesses negatively.

Well, in a fair judgment, the shopkeeper is not the one who created the situation, he is not the one who decides if poor families go to bed hungry. He is just making good efforts to also keep his own family alive while serving the people who also have less. so you can't just call his price unfair, you also have to ask who made the rules and policies he is playing along with. The system made it possible for him and he is just taking full advantage.

[Felicity_Tide]

~snip

I'm considering this topic because of the poor and needy. When we propose ideas that can help keep businesses profitable, we are burdened by the fact that they are probably going to be at the detriment of the poor and needy. So, for conscience sake, we focus on workable ideas that support the poor without affecting businesses negatively.

I actually understand the point you're trying to make, but again, how often do you think something like this can work?. Because, I know for sure that the rich also bargain. When you live in a country where there are not fixed price for all items, everyone automatically has the negotiating power to bargain because I believe we all look out for our own personal interest regardless of our class. And again, I also think not all rich people buy overpriced items. A lot of them are way smarter than you think... It's not always like they can't afford it, but they know when an item is overpriced or not.

[ZAINmalik75]

It's not a bad idea or model but I don't think it's used in many countries, because as far as I know, in most countries, merchants won't lower their fixed rates which includes their profit margin just because the customer is poor, unless it is a merchant who is a good person in general who understands that the customer is in need and might not have enough funds. However, if that's not the case, the merchants will just give the final offer with their profit, and if the customer don't agree, they would rather not sell the product or service than to agree to leave the profits they can make from the sale.

And, when it comes to rich or wealthy customers, they will try their best to charge them more to make more profits, but they don't do it because they are then going to give a poor customer a better discount, but they do it because they want to make more money. This is what I have seen and observed mostly in our country or in other countries around the world, and this is basically the norm. Maybe there are some countries where the model you mentioned is used, but it's not very common, I guess.

[Ziskinberg]

There are a lot of business models in my country; there are categories as well. For rich people there are different markets where the price is pretty high; they don’t need bargains since they don’t like it. There are fixed-price businesses as well, where everyone has to pay the same price, whether someone is poor or rich.

Very rich people are even shopping from abroad, and very poor people are buying products from the street. I have visited ten countries; almost everywhere, business models seem the same. There are high-class markets and street markets as well. Rich and poor people could choose accordingly. There is no subsidy; this is business models.

I guess this isn't all about being rich or being poor at all, but do it that works for you accordingly and comfortably.

Rich people do not mind expensive prices, so luxury malls will be good for them. But poor people always look for big sales and huge discounts, hence they should go to budget-friendly stores. There they can maximize their purchase even with their small amount of money.

However, overcharging the rich for the sake of poor people, that doesn't makes sense at all.

[Gozie51]

I'm considering this topic because of the poor and needy. When we propose ideas that can help keep businesses profitable, we are burdened by the fact that they are probably going to be at the detriment of the poor and needy. So, for conscience sake, we focus on workable ideas that support the poor without affecting businesses negatively.

Actually all depends on the level of business. Some business people want to run away from such consideration by opening businesses that have price tags and limiting the possibilities of pricing or bargaining. In such kind of business, the owners are not usually present at the point of sale. Thus, that human nature/sympathy will be absent. These are businesses like supermarket, stores and malls.

However, I have also noticed that in such markets with price tags, they use to have different products of same purpose and with different prices, giving opportunity for lesser priced customers to purchase what they also need.

The class of needy that are really poor still have a place to shop for what they want which may be in lower quantity but same value. Take for instance, if you are buying goat meat, some people can afford to buy the full goat while others can buy parts of the goat in different prices that they want in kilos. Same applies to fish, chicken etc. This also applies to other commodities. Whatever the rich desires, it is also available for the poor in their own little capacity. It is actually the beggars that are left in the mercy of givers and others, the government should provide more opportunities for people to be lifted out of begging and poverty.