A Kirkland Cafe with No Prices
March 24th, 2007This is so interesting to me. It’s an issue that hits very close to home… The article calls this an experimental business model. It’s more of a test of the consciousness index of a community, if you ask me.
Can the tragedy of the commons be avoided? Cryptogon and Farmlet readers are demonstrating that it can by keeping these resources free and open to all. Just look at that support column at the right.
Out here in the country, farmers and gardeners sometimes leave their goods for sale out near the road, totally unattended. When Becky and I happen across one of these stands, we usually stop and buy something. We love it! But the goods have prices listed. Would the country produce stand work without any prices listed??? Most of the time, people are charging less than what I would pay if no price was listed.
How will the Terra Bite Lounge fare?
Via: Seattle Times:
With its blood-red walls and black leather sofas, Kirkland’s Terra Bite Lounge looks like any other coffee shop — until you get to the menu. There are no prices listed. Terra Bite doesn’t have them.
You read that right: No prices. Customers pay what and when they like, or not at all — it makes no difference to the cafe employees, who are instructed not to peek when people put money in the metal lock box.
Related: Gift Economy
Research Credit: EP
As I understand it, prices (most of the time) convey important information about a goods relative scarcity, e.g. hurricane -> fewer oranges -> more expensive orange juice, which guides more efficient allocation. I guess I just don’t see the point; over my head, maybe?