The Amazon Matrix

[David Ayers]

I get it. If people start to buy something, you put the price up. But the manipulativeness seems so outrageous. Check out this kaleidoscope:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=sr_adv_m_pop/?__mk_en_GB=%C5M%C5Z%D5%D1&search-alias=popular&unfiltered=1&field-keywords=&field-artist=&field-title=&field-label=impulse&field-ean=&field-browse=&field-price=&field-binding_browse-bin=&emi=&sort=relevancerank&Adv-Srch-Music-Album-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Music-Album-Submit.y=0#/ref=sr_st?unfiltered=1&qid=1322350756&rh=n%3A229816%2Cp_33%3Aimpulse&sort=-releasedate

[Chuck Nessa]

In the US it seems the price is lowered if something is selling well.

[Leeway]

This has come up a few times on other threads (I know, since I've brought it up once or twice ) .

Like airlines, they constantly use algorithms to price plane seats. It is annoying, but the upside is that you can sometimes take advantage of the price drops. On large purchases, probably worth checking the price over a one or two week period.

[Quincy]

I've been making more of an effort to put any item of (slight) interest on Camel x 3.

I had an amusing occurrence today as just 2 hours after placing an order where I bought something for my dad and added something for myself to get free shipping. I received notice from Camelcamelcamel that my price had been met on James Brown Singles '67-'69. Luckily there was a pre-order I was going to hit by next week so I could add that to it as I can wait if they must bundle the shipping together.

Edited November 27, 2011 by Quincy

[David Ayers]

I don't honestly know what influences the algorithm. I had the impression that sales moved the price up, but if you take for example the list of impulses I posted and order it by 'popularity' the prices are all mixed, so it isn't really obvious. I have items in my basket and watch them go up and down... but get past caring, too much of a game... though you can do well on sudden and substantial price drops...

[GA Russell]

I wonder if presence on many Wish Lists affects an item's price.

[JSngry]

Unless there's a BIG SALE or something, I just buy stuff when I want it, if the price seems reasonable enough and if I can afford it at the time.

[paul secor]

  On 11/27/2011 at 9:00 PM, JSngry said:

Unless there's a BIG SALE or something, I just buy stuff when I want it, if the price seems reasonable enough and if I can afford it at the time.

I agree. There are a lot more important things in life than worrying about whether someone else got a better deal than I did.

[Quincy]

  On 11/27/2011 at 9:00 PM, JSngry said:

Unless there's a BIG SALE or something, I just buy stuff when I want it, if the price seems reasonable enough and if I can afford it at the time.

I'm that way for the most part, but there are certain things that are a bit more marginal so I find it fun to be hardcore about insisting it be (example) 4% less, even it that translates 64 cents. I'm big on delayed gratification. I also have a huge want list, so it winnows the buying process too.

[sonnymax]

I've noticed fluctuations in the price on various non-music items in the save for later section of my shopping cart from time to time. I doubt it's the result of manipulation but instead, a reflection of fluctuations in the cost of the items. If a distributor raises the cost, Amazon would understandably increase the price. My experience has been that prices drop as much, if not more, than they increase.