Samsung price-fixing

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » December 1, 2005, 1:29 pm

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/biztech/12 ... index.html

SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- The price of memory chips began to climb in 2001, even though the tech industry was suffering its worst downturn in history. The CEO of Dell blamed the high chip prices on cartel-like behavior.

Prosecutors agreed, and the world's largest maker of computer memory chips -- Samsung -- pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiring to fix the price of the chips used in personal computers and other electronic devices.

Price fixing in the dynamic random access memory market led to higher prices of some personal computers.

Under a previously arranged deal, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and its U.S. subsidiary, Samsung Semiconductor Inc., were ordered to pay $300 million -- the second-largest fine in a criminal antitrust case.

I thought many would find this story interesting. Back in 04 I thought i noticed something unusual when 512sticks in best buy costed 170, when I could find almost identical memory online for 80.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » December 1, 2005, 1:53 pm

yeah but stuff is always going to be cheaper online.

they dont have to pay a large workforce, overhead of maintaining a retail space, etc. massive difference in operating costs.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » December 1, 2005, 3:26 pm

Who are they paying 300$ million? The fucking government?

Neost · Post by **Neost** » December 1, 2005, 4:03 pm

Who are they paying 300$ million? The fucking government?

Of course...don't you know the government is looking out for your best interests and needs that money to continue to provide "bread and circuses"?