Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

For business services and products there exists similar price gap.

Low level managers and staff are allowed to purchase stuff directly below some sum, typically below $2000, sometimes higher. If somebody needs something below that sum they just buy it online or with few emails if they have money in the budget.

If you go above that limit, suddenly it's more complicated. There may be purchasing department. They compare prices, may select bidders etc. Purchase may even become a procurement. You often have to send a person to sell and negotiate. If you send someone, you may as well add $20,000 to the price to cover the cost of travel and time. Product you sell for $5000 online costs now tens of thousands.




Of course, Joel Spolsky has an article about it.

https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2004/12/15/camels-and-rubber-...


There's a price known as the "price of spousal consent." It's the price where you have to ask your spouse for "permission" to buy something. It's around $100.


DDG returns nothing for this apart from it relating to property purchases.

Is this something you made up?


I think I heard about it on the radio(?), but might have gotten the name wrong. It's a thing, though, and there's a threshold where couples have to talk about purchases first.


> threshold where couples have to talk about purchases

I don't know about a single name, but a google search for that phrase got me these:

https://www.today.com/money/how-much-can-you-spend-checking-...

https://couplemoney.com/family-and-finances/couples-spending... (writer used to have an exactly $100 threshold, fits your memory)

https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/articles/study-...




Consider applying for YC's Summer 2025 batch! Applications are open till May 13

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: