Where Do Prices Come From?

Russell Roberts:

"My three sons, ages seven to twelve, suffer from a chronic condition I've heard described by economist John Baden as ironitis—the love of anything made of metal. They are fascinated by cars, trucks, backhoes, tractors and—well, you get the idea. The other day, my middle son suggested that my next car should be a convertible. They're expensive, said his brother and mentioned that the convertible of a particular model was $10,000 more than the more staid version. Why is it more expensive, his brother asked.

A good question. Why are convertibles more expensive than non-convertibles? Why is scotch that's been aged for 21 years more expensive than scotch that's been aged 10? Why are red peppers more expensive than green peppers? Why do Wal-Mart employees earn less than the average worker in the United States? Why is gasoline more expensive in the summer than the winter? Why is gasoline more expensive in Europe than in the United States? Why are roses more expensive on February 14? Why isn't beer more expensive on Super Bowl Sunday? Why are houses in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. more expensive than houses in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia?

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