Quoted from Oldgoat:

Interestingly, there was a story on the local news today regarding the laws and fines for price gouging (of course, in reference to the run on items like toilet paper and sanitizer). So no, the USA is not a pure capitalistic country. Lots and lots of laws in place governing everything from consumer safety to price fixing to price gouging.
As far as this situation is concerned, I think the issue is that for many of us, Pinside is a community. And as a community, you try to help people out. I've sent parts to people for little or no cost and have had others do the same for me. Hell, that stubborn sob pinballair wouldn't even let me pay him for shipping on a part I needed. And that doesn't even consider the countless hours of assistance with troubleshooting or tracking down games others have given to me. If your neighbor asks for a hand, you don't say "fine, that'll be $50".
So when someone does literally nothing for an almost 300% markup it feels contrary to the sense of community many of us have. Yeah, it's life and sure, it's a free country and it takes all kinds but it is a bit disappointing for some of us to see.

Quoted from Oldgoat:

First, I never said anyone was bad. Rather, I tried to explain the blowback.
That being said, the answer isn't straightforward. I don't feel the same about those whose business it is to make mods, sell games, reclaim parts, etc. It's their business and they are in business to keep a biscuit on his or her plate. For example, I had some work done a couple of months ago by someone who, in addition owning a business, is a friend. When it came time to settle up, he started going down the path of "my cost, discount, etc." I said "Brian, this is a business transaction, you need to charge me what you would charge anyone else. Me getting some undeserved discount feels like I am taking advantage of that friendship." I ended up adding $500 to the check and I probably still got a deal.
As far as others selling parts...personally, I think recovering the cost of the part, shipping and a nominal fee for their time and trouble is perfectly fine and fits in the community. Where is the line drawn on nominal? That's up to the individual. I suspect 3x for zero effort rubs many the wrong way.

Quoted from Oldgoat:

First, I never said anyone was bad. Rather, I tried to explain the blowback.
That being said, the answer isn't straightforward. I don't feel the same about those whose business it is to make mods, sell games, reclaim parts, etc. It's their business and they are in business to keep a biscuit on his or her plate. For example, I had some work done a couple of months ago by someone who, in addition owning a business, is a friend. When it came time to settle up, he started going down the path of "my cost, discount, etc." I said "Brian, this is a business transaction, you need to charge me what you would charge anyone else. Me getting some undeserved discount feels like I am taking advantage of that friendship." I ended up adding $500 to the check and I probably still got a deal.
As far as others selling parts...personally, I think recovering the cost of the part, shipping and a nominal fee for their time and trouble is perfectly fine and fits in the community. Where is the line drawn on nominal? That's up to the individual. I suspect 3x for zero effort rubs many the wrong way.

Quoted from NeilMcRae:

robin surely you don't want this in your community?

Quoted from Oldgoat:

It is obvious that you haven't been on Pinside very long. The way this is supposed to work is you say "You are a moron". Then I say, "you are ugly and your mother dresses you funny" Then you look at my pinball collection and say "anyone who owns a WOZ is a clueless, tasteless idiot" Then I go back through every post you've ever made, pulling one or two out of context to prove that you are the idiot. We go back and forth for awhile, some posters get sucked in, some post the "stop derailing and take it to PM posts" and finally a temporary ban is issued to one or both of us.
And with that, I'll stop derailing this thread