Peak Pricing

Trying to get an Uber on a Saturday night? Going to Cancun for spring break? Buying salt on the first snow of the season? You’re buying stuff during peak pricing times.

Peak pricing is when customers pay a higher price for a good or service during periods of high demand. This is a common way to solve transportation (as in congestion, cough cough) problems. By raising the price, the demand drops, bringing it back to a reasonable level given the supply.

Peak pricing helps with other space-time problems, like parking during peak hours, places that get a lot of tourists certain times of year...you know. Because you’ve paid for it, or worked to avoid paying for it.