Wow.. wish I could get $2 + per pound.. I only charge $1 per pound plus the $2 processing fee.. It comes to around $10 per bird bagged and ready to cook.. I can't imagine getting $3.50/lb.. That'd be like winning the lottery..
If you consort with him in the manner you describe, what your doing is illegal.
Under section 1 of the Sherman anti trust act Price Fixing can be prosecuted at a FELONY.
"Price fixing requires a conspiracy between two or more sellers; the purpose is to coordinate pricing for mutual benefit at the expense of buyers. Sellers might agree to sell at a common target price; set a common "minimum" price; buy the product from a supplier at a specified "maximum" price; adhere to a price book or list price; engage in cooperative price advertising; standardize financial credit terms offered to purchasers; use uniform trade-in allowances; limit discounts; discontinue a free service or fix the price of one component of an overall service; adhere uniformly to previously-announced prices and terms of sale; establish uniform costs and markups; impose mandatory surcharges; purposefully reduce output or sales in order to charge higher prices; or purposefully share or "pool" markets, territories, or customers."
So you have nothing what so ever to discuss with him.
Jamie
Glad I caught your post, as I was reading I was getting ready to tell the OP that the caller broke the law. He is lucky the OP did not report him.
The neighbor did not break the law. Let's not turn this into something it isn't. The neighbor picked up the phone to discuss pricing. That is not against the law. Even if the neighbor and the poster decided to charge the same price, it would not fall under anti-trust legislation. The legislation applies to a group of companies that control the market. So, for example, if Chrysler, GM and Ford got together to fix prices, that would be prosecutable, as that group controls the domestic car market. If two sellers decide to charge a certain price, they can do that as long as consumers have other choices. In other words, as long as consumers can buy their chicken elsewhere, the situation does not fall under anti-trust.
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Glad I caught your post, as I was reading I was getting ready to tell the OP that the caller broke the law. He is lucky the OP did not report him.
The neighbor did not break the law. Let's not turn this into something it isn't. The neighbor picked up the phone to discuss pricing. That is not against the law. Even if the neighbor and the poster decided to charge the same price, it would not fall under anti-trust legislation. The legislation applies to a group of companies that control the market. So, for example, if Chrysler, GM and Ford got together to fix prices, that would be prosecutable, as that group controls the domestic car market. If two sellers decide to charge a certain price, they can do that as long as consumers have other choices. In other words, as long as consumers can buy their chicken elsewhere, the situation does not fall under anti-trust.
It falls under price fixing, which is covered by the anti trust act. My corporate lawyer, when I ran a small business told me to avoid a situation similar to the above as it could violate price fixing laws.
So thats all I really know about it.
Becareful and exercise good judgement in whatever you chose to do.
Jamie
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The neighbor did not break the law. Let's not turn this into something it isn't. The neighbor picked up the phone to discuss pricing. That is not against the law. Even if the neighbor and the poster decided to charge the same price, it would not fall under anti-trust legislation. The legislation applies to a group of companies that control the market. So, for example, if Chrysler, GM and Ford got together to fix prices, that would be prosecutable, as that group controls the domestic car market. If two sellers decide to charge a certain price, they can do that as long as consumers have other choices. In other words, as long as consumers can buy their chicken elsewhere, the situation does not fall under anti-trust.
It falls under price fixing, which is covered by the anti trust act. My corporate lawyer, when I ran a small business told me to avoid a situation similar to the above as it could violate price fixing laws.
So thats all I really know about it.
Becareful and exercise good judgement in whatever you chose to do.
Jamie
It's not worth arguing over hopefully the OP just ignores his neighbor. I consulted for a oil company about 30 years ago who had a station manager arrested for this very thing. He called a competition station to complain of a low price. The other station owner promptly reported him to the feds. Ba da boom they tapped the phones, he called again, and the feds arrested. Don't believe the feds are not concerned anywhere a large fine is involved. I wouldn't 'bet the farm on it'.
I understand that capitalism has it's good points. Price fixing? Give me a break. I do not think that you have a monopoly going on. Unless you live so far out in the boonies, and do not have anyplace else to buy chicken, or any other choices for protein in your diet.
Seems to me that this mentality is the main reason why so many americans are "broke".
Personally, with my birds, I purchased mine for the main reason of enjoying higher quality eggs, and meat. I have had people ask me about buying eggs when my hens come of age. They ask "how much are you going to sell them for?" I reply $3 a dozen. They gasp and say that's too much. I simply tell them buy your own birds and you can have eggs for free. I never have "non producers" come around and ask if I need any thing.
Last time I checked I am not Jesus Christ, or Mother Theresa. I am not into this for "charity". I did not plan on selling eggs, but will do so if I can get a good price. I will throw my eggs in the ditch before I give them away. I know that I will have plenty for my own use.
You are pefectly within your rights to sell your birds for whatever price you want.But remember.... I wonder if this is one of the main sources of income for the other individual. They were merely trying to protect their livelihood. I wonder if they use this money from selling birds to pay for their medical insurance. Maybe they use it to pay the heat bill in wintertime? Is Johnny Junior going to go without new shoes?
Want to spite him? Gee you spiters are what's wrong with America..........Karma.....it's a wonderful thing.
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So it's on him to make sure his neighbor's kid gets shoes? He should have to change his prices, make his customers mad, possibly LOSING customers for himself because he needs to worry about whether his neighbor is giving up his health insurance due to lost income? Haha, there seems to be some contradiction in your post... you'd rather "throw eggs in the ditch" than give them away, but this guy needs to worry about Karma because he sells a few of HIS chickens for what he feels is the right price, not what his neighbor wants him to?? Interesting take....
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So it's on him to make sure his neighbor's kid gets shoes? He should have to change his prices, make his customers mad, possibly LOSING customers for himself because he needs to worry about whether his neighbor is giving up his health insurance due to lost income? Haha, there seems to be some contradiction in your post... you'd rather "throw eggs in the ditch" than give them away, but this guy needs to worry about Karma because he sells a few of HIS chickens for what he feels is the right price, not what his neighbor wants him to?? Interesting take....
I agree, his neighbors children or health insurance is not his concern. This is PC run amuck. What if he wanted to donate to a shelter, that might hurt his business too. I hardly doubt that the 50 to 100 chickens he sells a year are hurting his neighbor that much. Let's see at $.50USD a pound, 4 pounds a bird, times 100 is $200. Might buy some shoes but hardly health insurance.
Whether legal or illegal what the neighbor did was downright RUDE. And I think it is rude of any of us to try to twist his arm with tales of shame and woe is just as rude. OP they are your chickens charge what you want or even give them away if you feel like it.
Just saw a post on craigslist from someone in my general vacinity: "Meat Chicken's-Pasture Raised $2.50lb"
So, I'll probably go from $2 up to $2.25 next year, depending on grain prices. Anyway, it's nice to know that I'm in the same ball-park as what others are charging.
Looks like I ruffled some feathers.....let the "chips" fall where they may. I was merely trying to get some people to cut the "caller" some slack. Talk about rude? anyway.. I see that a lot of people on here who are "experts" are just getting started in "farming"