MAP is actually for the benefit of you, the consumer. It keeps the companies that will race to the bottom on price from undercutting the guys that will actually take care of you (that need to make money to support a good business).
Would you say the same is true for price-fixing between competing manufacturers, since it keeps them from being harmed by low margins?
Collusion is primarily an illegal secretive agreement or cooperation between two parties intending to disrupt market stability.
corporatefinanceinstitute.com
Of course, the bad drives out the good, and consumers get what they (collectively) deserve.
Gresham's Law is an economic principle that sates "the bad drives out the good" as time passes. The concept has many broad and far reaching consequences.
fs.blog
You always get what you pay for.
"You get what you pay for"? Not necessarily. The more accurate statement is, "You PAY for what you get"
Competition in price has done a lot of harm, but also may prevent excessive prices for consumers.
Trucking used to be regulated and profitable. Now, independent operators have trouble paying for fuel and maintenance, might earn minimum wage if they're lucky. Direct orders with a trucking firm sometimes cost 2x or 3x same carrier through a broker. Fuel surcharges get pocketed by broker, not given to driver.
Movers are still regulated. And there are stories of extortion, threats to damage property.
Consumers would do better buying products that last, but often shop based on price. The data for cost of ownership isn't readily available. Appliances have a reputation for breaking sooner now, but we mostly hear the complaints so can't be sure. Wish we had good statistics.
Look at the difficulty we have determining reliability of inverters. Some brands we have many indicates of higher failure rate, but some people say that is just badmouthing by one or two installers.
