Hoya price fixing?

I think the problem with this thread... and with 2filter's claims... is a misunderstanding of price fixing. Price fixing is contrary to general laws of supply and demand. Where there is true price fixing, the market supply does not adjust itself according to consumer demand. Price fixing, as I said above, would prevent the laws of supply and demand from operating. It is illegal because consumers are hurt in the end.

From what I understand here, and why outbri above can make a case, this does not seem to be a case of price fixing. Price fixing occurs amongst competitors. It would be price fixing if Hoya, BW, and Tiffen got together and decided to not sell filters below a certain price. This is illegal because it is collusion and creates a effective monopoly. It is not price fixing when a manufacturer contracts with several retailers and requires that the retailers sell their products at certain prices.

In short, it's not price fixing when only one manufacturer is involved. It seems sneaky to require a retailer to sell at a certain price rather than let the retailer decide his own profit margin based on how much he paid for the filter from the manufacturer... but there's nothing wrong with it. I think it's called vertical price fixing, which is fine.

Hoya has had the world market for filters almost to it self. Its time to look again at B+W filters or Tiffen's new HT filters, I have a Tiffen HT and it is really good polarizer. Marumi DHG Filters they all have products at much lower prices

The state of Maryland passed a law against price fixing this week, not only effects Maryland stores but any one selling into the state Maryland from on line. 30 other states are considering the same law. interesting story in the Wall Street Journal

Way to go for the press and the legislature to sensationalize policy arguments by giving something a misleading name. Traditional price fixing is already illegal. What the Maryland law does is prohibit minimum pricing agreements. They are two not totally unrelated things, but different nonetheless.

I deal with things all the time where the MSRP, MAP & MSP are set by the mfg and you get your stones busted if you violate those terms.
Price fixing really is about various vendors or various mfg's getting together to set a MAP or MSP.

MAP minimum advertised price (the "call for price" advert is the work around) and MSP minimum sale price, I have to give statements about how mnay of X item I sold and that they are at least the MSP. (I do not sell camera gear)

moon meadows wrote in post #7836967
The state of Maryland passed a law against price fixing this week

The law prohibits MAP pricing, not price-fixing,

http://online.wsj.com …SB1240878401106​61643.html

The Wall St Journal
Apr 28, 2009

In a move that could lead to lower prices for consumers across the country, Maryland has passed a law that prohibits manufacturers from requiring retailers to charge minimum prices for their goods.
The law, which takes effect Oct. 1, takes aim at agreements that many manufacturers have been forcing on retailers, requiring them to charge minimum prices on certain products. The practice has surged since a controversial 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that no longer makes such agreements automatically illegal under federal antitrust law.
Under the new state law, retailers doing business in Maryland -- as well as state officials -- can sue manufacturers that impose minimum-pricing agreements. The law also covers transactions in which consumers in Maryland buy goods on the Internet, even when the retailer is based out of state. That could potentially affect manufacturers throughout the country.

this can't happen in the EU, hoya would sell the filter to the shop at price X and the shop can then sell the filter for what ever they want. if they don't the EU will fine them.

henryp wrote in post #7914442
In a move that could lead to lower prices for consumers across the country, Maryland has passed a law that prohibits manufacturers from requiring retailers to charge minimum prices for their goods.

When has anything government stuck their nose into lead to LOWER prices for the consumer?????

All this will do is lead manufacturers to raise their price to the retailers.

Hoya is price-fixing??? LOL! Paranoid.

poah wrote in post #7914979
this can't happen in the EU, hoya would sell the filter to the shop at price X and the shop can then sell the filter for what ever they want. if they don't the EU will fine them.

And we all see how great the EU is.

dekalbSTEEL wrote in post #7932279
When has anything government stuck their nose into lead to LOWER prices for the consumer?????

All this will do is lead manufacturers to raise their price to the retailers.

Thankfully someone understands the basics of economics

i personnaly prefer B+W so it doesnt affect me, but it is shady.

it is good to see someone call them out on it, and hopefully people will see this and take it into thier decision making when they go to purchase thier next set of filters.