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#11
Yes.
As consumers we grumble, yet we continue to consume because short of a mass united consumer front that speaks out against these practices, there is ultimately little choice except to bend over and take it.
In developed countries where self-reliance has largely been all but eroded thanks to consumerism, a halt to this systemic practice would be extremely difficult to counteract due to it's inherent acceptance.
Unfortunately developing countries are squandering the chance to change the face of global consumerism thanks to wild eyed enthusiasm of all the new and shiny options available.
Instead of saying "Yes, these new things are nice, but no thank you, we can't afford it" they are saying "Oooh, new shiny thing - can't afford it, but must have it". If the former and more logical consensus was taken, the markets would have to yield and this would then have a positive flow on effect in developed countries.
Unfortunately they've chosen the latter in their rush to embrace the capitalist consumer ideals holus-bolus.
At the moment, it's simply gouging because companies can get away with it and subsequently do get away with it. If a dollar is to be made, it will be and damn the consequences.
Soon enough though, the fact that the planets resources are finite and are barely be able to sustain existing the developed populous appetite's as is, let alone new and emerging ones; gouging will become based more on sheer necessity and no longer solely one of pure profit.
One thing that is almost a given - it's only going to get worse. Much worse.
High prices and getting higher. 
Smaller packages and getting smaller. Are we just use to it?
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