26 pointsby Betelbuddy3 hours ago6 comments
  • throwaway634672 minutes ago
    Why are people upset, it’s obviously “stupid” for customers but Amazon has been doing this for ages, prices change multiple times per day and the only reason is that they choose the optimal price point where you will just so buy at Amazon and not elsewhere, AI is surely involved in that process. People are fine with it apparently as Amazon grows like crazy, so why not pay dynamic rates for our burgers too, why not for everything?
  • ndiddy2 hours ago
    If we're already seeing dynamic burger pricing based on market rates, does McDonald's also plan on offering a burger derivative market so customers can hedge their pricing risk in case unforeseen events cause the burger price to skyrocket?
    • 23 minutes ago
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  • HarHarVeryFunny2 hours ago
    Soon you'll need to bring your own agent to negotiate the price of your Big Mac.

    Or you could just go somewhere with better food, better prices, and no AI.

  • 14 minutes ago
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  • SMAAART29 minutes ago
    > One pricing factor supercharged by AI: an estimate of how much each store’s patrons are willing to pay.

    How is this any different from businesses who do not have transparent pricing? E.g.: Enterprise SaaS; consultancy; architectural materials.

    • Borborygymus6 minutes ago
      A meal is a pretty simple fixed-cost item from a retail outlet, not a service with a complex set of dependencies and shifting requirements. The cost of the meal is predictable to the seller - dynamic pricing has only one purpose - gouging customers.

      If SaaS/consulting/architectural firms are engaging in price gouging of their customers, that is not an argument to bring the same to the fast food market.

  • tecoholic2 hours ago
    There was a Jon Stewart podcast on this a couple of weeks ago on Machine Learning and custom pricing. It was an illuminating one. It all looks like a lead up to big consumer action and lawsuit in the future. TBH, McDonald’s pricing might survive as it seems to charge the same for everyone at the same store.