--- title: "Moral Hazard in Pricing: Know your customer's price sensitivity?" description: Knowing your customer's true price sensitivity is essential for price optimization. Moral Hazard allows you to increase your price more than you may think! image: https://blog.pricebeam.com/hubfs/Images/financeindustry.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://blog.pricebeam.com/moral-hazard-in-pricing-do-you-know-your-customers-price-sensitivity#main-content) [![PriceBeam](https://blog.pricebeam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/lead-flow-images/PBLogoTransparent%20(1).png?width=400&height=100&name=PBLogoTransparent%20(1).png)](https://www.pricebeam.com/) - Solutions ![RGM360](https://blog.pricebeam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RGM360_Headlines.png?width=319&height=255&name=RGM360_Headlines.png)[PriceBeam RGM360](https://www.pricebeam.com/rgm360) is an end-to-end Revenue Optimization Platform, offering unmatched value by integrating market research, internal data with AI and next-generation simulation and optimization tools. Predictive Research - [Predictive Revenue Research](https://www.pricebeam.com/predictive-research) - [Willingness-to-Pay](https://www.pricebeam.com/willingness-to-pay) - [Comparative Willingness-to-Pay](https://www.pricebeam.com/comparative-willingness-to-pay) - [Value Attributes / Choice-Based Conjoint](https://www.pricebeam.com/value-attributes) - [Price Pack Architecture](https://www.pricebeam.com/ppa-price-pack-architecture-study) - [Promotion Lab](https://www.pricebeam.com/promotion-optimization) - [Promotion Lab Enhanced](https://www.pricebeam.com/promotion-lab-enhanced) - [Assortment Lab](https://www.pricebeam.com/assortment-optimization) - [Core / Basic Survey](https://www.pricebeam.com/core-study) - [Ranking Analysis / MaxDiff](https://www.pricebeam.com/ranking-analysis-maxdiff) - [Menu-Based Conjoint](https://www.pricebeam.com/menu-based-conjoint-analysis) - [RGM Study](https://www.pricebeam.com/revenue-growth-management) - [RGM Study - Promotion](https://www.pricebeam.com/revenue-growth-management-promotion) - [RGM Study - Ultra](https://www.pricebeam.com/revenue-growth-management-ultra) - [Concept Test](https://www.pricebeam.com/concept-test) - [Claims Test](https://www.pricebeam.com/claims-test) - [Product Variant Test](https://www.pricebeam.com/product-variant-test) - [FAQ](https://www.pricebeam.com/faq) RGM Data Lake - [RGM Data Lake](https://www.pricebeam.com/rgm-data-lake) - [Prescriptive Analytics](https://www.pricebeam.com/rgm-data-lake-prescriptive-analytics) - [Stakeholder Communication](https://www.pricebeam.com/rgm-data-lake-stakeholder-communication) - [Data Integration](https://www.pricebeam.com/rgm-data-lake-data-integration) - [FAQ](https://www.pricebeam.com/rgm-data-lake-faq) Simulation & Optimization - [RGM Optimizer & Simulator](https://www.pricebeam.com/rgm-optimizer-simulator) - [AI: Virtual Customer Modelling](https://www.pricebeam.com/ai-virtual-customers) - [RGM Simulation](https://www.pricebeam.com/rgm-simulation) - [Prescriptive Optimization](https://www.pricebeam.com/rgm-prescriptive-optimization) - [FAQ](https://www.pricebeam.com/rgm-optimizer-simulator-faq) - Industries & Challenges Industries - [FMCGs/CPG](https://www.pricebeam.com/consumer-goods-pricing) - [Cosmetics](https://www.pricebeam.com/cosmetics-pricing) - [Beverages](https://www.pricebeam.com/beverage-pricing) - [Beer, Wine & Spirits](https://www.pricebeam.com/alcoholic-beverage-pricing) - [Apparel](https://www.pricebeam.com/apparel-pricing) - [Home Care](https://www.pricebeam.com/home-care-pricing) - [Home Appliances](https://www.pricebeam.com/home-appliances-pricing) - [Food Products](https://www.pricebeam.com/food-products-pricing) - [Pet Food](https://www.pricebeam.com/pet-food-pricing) - [DIY & Home Improvement](https://www.pricebeam.com/diy-pricing) - [Consumer Services](https://www.pricebeam.com/consumer-services-pricing) - [Media & Publishing](https://www.pricebeam.com/media-and-publishing-pricing) - [Hotels & Hospitality](https://www.pricebeam.com/hospitality-pricing) - [Subscription Services](https://www.pricebeam.com/subscription-services-pricing) - [Phones & Telecom](https://www.pricebeam.com/telecommunication-pricing) - [Memberships](https://www.pricebeam.com/membership-pricing) - [Training & Education](https://www.pricebeam.com/training-and-education-pricing) - [Retail](https://www.pricebeam.com/retail-pricing) - [E-commerce](https://www.pricebeam.com/ecommerce-pricing) - [Events](https://www.pricebeam.com/event-pricing) - [Sports Subscriptions](https://www.pricebeam.com/sports-subscription-pricing) - [Streaming](https://www.pricebeam.com/video-on-demand-pricing) - [Consumer Electronics](https://www.pricebeam.com/consumer-pricing-electronics) - [Start-ups](https://www.pricebeam.com/entrepreneur-pricing) - [SaaS & Software](https://www.pricebeam.com/saas-software-pricing) - [Consumer Finance](https://www.pricebeam.com/consumer-finance-pricing) - [Equity Analysis](https://www.pricebeam.com/equity-analysis-pricing-insights) - [Veterinary Products](https://www.pricebeam.com/veterinary-products-pricing) - [OTC Pharmaceuticals](https://www.pricebeam.com/otc-pharmaceuticals-pricing) - [Automotive](https://www.pricebeam.com/automotive-pricing) - [Auto Aftermarket](https://www.pricebeam.com/automotive-aftermarket-pricing) Pricing Challenges Solved - [Pricing New Products](https://www.pricebeam.com/pricing-new-products) - [Brand Health & Pricing](https://www.pricebeam.com/brand-health-pricing) - [M&A Pricing](https://www.pricebeam.com/mergers-and-acquisitions-pricing) - [Investment Portfolios & Pricing](https://www.pricebeam.com/portfolio-growth-pricing) - [Price Segmentation](https://www.pricebeam.com/price-segmentation) - [Sales Team & Pricing](https://www.pricebeam.com/sales-team-pricing) - [International Pricing](https://www.pricebeam.com/international-pricing) - [Navigating New Tariffs](https://www.pricebeam.com/tariffs) - [Price Optimization](https://www.pricebeam.com/price-optimization) - [Price Increases](https://www.pricebeam.com/price-increase-management) - [Pricing Strategy](https://www.pricebeam.com/pricing-strategy) - [Psychological Pricing](https://www.pricebeam.com/psychological-pricing) - [Value-Based Pricing](https://www.pricebeam.com/value-based-pricing) - [Lifecycle Pricing](https://www.pricebeam.com/lifecycle-pricing) - [Market Launch Pricing](https://www.pricebeam.com/market-launch-pricing) - [Value Communication](https://www.pricebeam.com/value-communication) - [Assortment Pricing](https://www.pricebeam.com/assortment-pricing) - [Promotions & Discounts](https://www.pricebeam.com/promotion-pricing) - Plans - [Plans overview](https://www.pricebeam.com/plans) - [Predictive Research Plans](https://www.pricebeam.com/predictive-research-plans) - [RGM Data Lake Plans](https://www.pricebeam.com/rgm-data-lake-plans) - [RGM Optimizer Plans](https://www.pricebeam.com/rgm-optimizer-simulator-plans) - [Pricing Power Tracker](https://www.pricebeam.com/pricing-power-tracker) - [Pricing Power Snapshot](https://www.pricebeam.com/pricing-power-snapshot) - Resources - [Webinars](https://www.pricebeam.com/resources) - [Blog](https://blog.pricebeam.com) - [Case Studies](https://www.pricebeam.com/customer-case-studies) - [Newsletter](https://www.pricebeam.com/newsletter) - [RGM Pulse Survey 2026](https://www.pricebeam.com/rgm-pulse-survey-2026) - About - [Company](https://www.pricebeam.com/about) - [News & Events](https://www.pricebeam.com/news) - [Partners](https://www.pricebeam.com/partners) - [Press](https://www.pricebeam.com/press) - [Careers](https://www.pricebeam.com/careers) - [Contact](https://www.pricebeam.com/contact) ![Search icon](https://5018647.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5018647/Design/Icons/Font%20Awesome/search.svg) [All posts](https://blog.pricebeam.com/all) January 25, 2017 # Moral Hazard in Pricing: Know your customer's price sensitivity? ![Picture of PriceBeam](https://blog.pricebeam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/PBLogoBadge240x240.png?width=50&name=PBLogoBadge240x240.png)   PriceBeam  ·  2 minute read The concept of price sensitivity tells us that, generally, a price increase will cause your most price-sensitive customers to start looking for alternatives as their willingness-to-pay no longer exceeds the value they place on your product or service. But just how price-sensitive are your customers? This will, to some extent, depend on the number of substitutes available, and therefore it is crucial to understand who your customers are and if they do, in fact, have any substitutes available to them. **Know the Buyers from the Deciders** It is not always the case that the person who buys a product or service is the one that decides who to buy from. You may have experienced this yourself if you have ever taken prescription medication; The doctor performs a diagnosis and chooses the medication she finds most effective for treating your symptoms. She considers previous experience with similar patients or possible side effects, but she won’t consider the price of the drug! You’re the one swiping your credit card at the pharmacy later, so why would she? This is a case of *moral hazard*, where the doctor is the *Decider*, who makes the purchase decision while keeping her money in the pocket, and the patient is the *Buyer*, who doesn’t have any influence on the purchase decision but carries the entire cost burden. **What Moral Hazard can mean for your business** Look at the example above, and consider whether this could apply to your product or service? Your product may be targeted at children or tweens that pay with their parents’ money? Or large firms where representatives are Deciders, and subsequently pass on the bill to the firm? If so, it’s time to reap the rewards! In the presence of moral hazard, the cost burden isn’t levied on the Deciders and thus the demand is very inelastic. In other words, you can increase your prices quite substantially without suffering significant losses of output - and that’s great for business! For illustration purposes, let’s have a look at how publishers of university textbooks have benefitted from the moral hazard that occurs when students (the Buyer) pay for the decisions made by their university professors (the Decider); ![customer price sensitivity](https://blog.pricebeam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Textbookchart.png?width=1024&name=Textbookchart.png "customer price sensitivity") Just like the doctor, the university professor considers a variety of factors when choosing which book to assign - just not the price! The publishers can increase prices without influencing the professor who decides what textbooks to use in her course, while the student is left with no substitutes available and thus little bargaining power. Consequently, textbook prices have increases by more than 3 times the rate of the general US Consumer Price Index over the last 30 years; yet the otherwise very price-sensitive students keep buying them. **WATCH OUT for Price Walls (!)** In this article, we have looked at how moral hazard can reduce the price sensitivity of some customer segments and allow companies to benefit substantially from increasing their prices. BUT - and this is an important “but” -  that does not mean you should neglect thorough *research of your customers’ willingness-to-pay* before increasing your prices. While moral hazard may allow you to charge a higher price, hitting a *price wall* is equally dangerous and could result in immediate drops in sales and severe damage to your brand. [![Book a Demo with us Take the guesswork out of your pricing    ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2519095/interactive-150677883931.png)](https://blog.pricebeam.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLmfw8lPRjiytTVVtFZ9HVsRcm9CodNXjCVL8qNaWUjiZNTxEpLNdS41ILj2oyzW6w6ovofkvTDP%2BzR7a3k2HXylFwT5ChDE1h1L1ZBE5rxBeG3AXJLmIqvCxEA4vmMJ4j71QCGh12UA5L8ajp1WZLW5%2Fs3AnIPOx0xOgfZf1Lefw%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=150677883931&portalId=2519095)   Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.pricebeam.com/moral-hazard-in-pricing-do-you-know-your-customers-price-sensitivity) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.pricebeam.com/moral-hazard-in-pricing-do-you-know-your-customers-price-sensitivity) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.pricebeam.com/moral-hazard-in-pricing-do-you-know-your-customers-price-sensitivity) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://blog.pricebeam.com/moral-hazard-in-pricing-do-you-know-your-customers-price-sensitivity) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://blog.pricebeam.com/moral-hazard-in-pricing-do-you-know-your-customers-price-sensitivity) ## Related posts [![PriceBeamWebsite.png](https://blog.pricebeam.com/hubfs/Images/PriceBeamWebsite.png)](https://blog.pricebeam.com/do-your-customers-value-the-benefits-you-price) [Value Proposition](https://blog.pricebeam.com/topic/value-proposition) #### [Do Your Customers Value the Benefits You Price?](https://blog.pricebeam.com/do-your-customers-value-the-benefits-you-price) [![shutterstock_115512124_L.jpg](https://blog.pricebeam.com/hubfs/Blog/shutterstock_115512124_L.jpg)](https://blog.pricebeam.com/pricing-for-customer-retention-tips-to-increase-repeat-sales) #### [Pricing for Customer Retention: Tips to Increase Repeat Sales](https://blog.pricebeam.com/pricing-for-customer-retention-tips-to-increase-repeat-sales) [![](https://blog.pricebeam.com/hubfs/PBLogo.png)](https://blog.pricebeam.com/the-psychology-of-pricing) [Pricing Strategy](https://blog.pricebeam.com/topic/pricing-strategy) #### [Psychology of Pricing: Understand How Your Customer's Mind Works](https://blog.pricebeam.com/the-psychology-of-pricing) **Pricing Right, Made Easy** Almost all companies struggle to price right. They use methods such as cost plus a fixed margin. They use guesses and gut feel. They peg their price to a competitor’s. They price themselves too low, leaving money on the table, or too high, forsaking sales volume. They lose out on the profits they should be earning. PriceBeam changes all that. With a methodology that is confirmed to be accurate in thousands of projects, PriceBeam provides AI-powered market insights software that generates actionable insights into consumers' willingness-to-pay, competitive price positioning, packaging and assortment dynamics, promotional benchmarking, and opportunities from new product pricing. [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/pricebeam) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pricebeam) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/pricebeam) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pricebeam) [Follow us on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/pricebeam) **Company** [About](https://www.pricebeam.com/about) [Careers](https://www.pricebeam.com/careers) [Press Resources](https://www.pricebeam.com/press) [Partners](https://www.pricebeam.com/partners) [Contact Us](https://www.pricebeam.com/contact) [Terms](https://www.pricebeam.com/terms) [Prize Draw Terms](https://www.pricebeam.com/prize-draw-terms) [Privacy](https://www.pricebeam.com/privacy) **Resources** [Blog](https://blog.pricebeam.com) [Get a Demo](https://www.pricebeam.com/demo) [Webinars](https://www.pricebeam.com/resources) [Downloads](https://www.pricebeam.com/resources) [Newsletter](https://www.pricebeam.com/newsletter) Copyright © 2026 by PriceBeam. All Rights Reserved ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=32758&fmt=gif) ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=32758&fmt=gif) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "PriceBeam", "url" : "https://blog.pricebeam.com/author/pricebeam" }, "dateModified" : "2024-01-25T10:27:49.740Z", "datePublished" : "2017-01-25T11:17:38.000Z", "headline" : "Moral Hazard in Pricing: Know your customer's price sensitivity?", "image" : [ "https://blog.pricebeam.com/hubfs/Images/financeindustry.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.pricebeam.com/moral-hazard-in-pricing-do-you-know-your-customers-price-sensitivity", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.pricebeam.com/hubfs/lead-flow-images/PBLogoTransparent%20(1).png" }, "name" : "PriceBeam" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "contactPoint" : [ { "@type" : "ContactPoint", "contactType" : "sales", "telephone" : "+44 207 081 2770" } ], "name" : "PriceBeam", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/pricebeam", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/pricebeam", "https://twitter.com/pricebeam", "https://www.youtube.com/c/pricebeam" ], "url" : "https://www.pricebeam.com" } ```