Ask HN: Why are e-ink note-taking devices so expensive compared to iPads?

Re:Ask HN: Why are e-ink note-taking devices so expensive co... by ChuckMcM on Monday February 15, 2021 @02:31PM (#26146243)

FWIW, I believe this has been debunked. Volume (when there is a net margin) always equates to greater profit until market saturation. Veblen goods rarely work for niche markets but can work for commodity markets (see cars and watches for examples).

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Re:Ask HN: Why are e-ink note-taking devices so expensive co... by lostcolony on Monday February 15, 2021 @08:25PM (#26149897)

I'm not saying it's a Veblen good. I'm saying that even though the demand drops as the price goes up, it may well not drop so far that it's a loss of net profit to sell at high margin. They do, after all, have a monopoly on the good.

If you're saying that even holding a monopoly, the most profitable price point is at market saturation, I'd need to see something backing that. And also what you mean by market saturation; the cost of parts for an iPhone 11 Pro is estimated to be ~$490. The list price is, what, $1100? You're basically saying that either they've already achieved market saturation, and would gain no new customers dropping the price to $600 (parts + $100 for distribution, assembly, etc), or that they're leaving money on the table. I find both of those very hard to believe. So maybe I'm misunderstanding you?

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Re:Ask HN: Why are e-ink note-taking devices so expensive co... by weberer on Monday February 15, 2021 @03:36PM (#26146994)

Then why are there diamond cartels?

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Re:Ask HN: Why are e-ink note-taking devices so expensive co... by ChuckMcM on Monday February 15, 2021 @05:42PM (#26148563)

You aren't serious right? I mean there is a whole article on DeBeers (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1982/02/have-yo...).

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