The Return of Price Point
2:55 pm 11/18/06
Sorry, but I’ve got to rant again about the absolutely idiotic phrase “price point.” I know that Lachlan is OK with the phrase in some situations, but I truly do not think that it should ever be uttered. Here’s the latest example, courtesy of Reason:
What’s more, this Christmas is expected to usher in the year of the flat-panel. With price points dropping below the $1000 mark, high-end TVs are moving down-market fast with Wal-Mart leading the way.
See what I mean? Why can’t they just say, “…with PRICES dropping below the $1000 mark…”? Really - why use two words when only one word is needed? Grrrr…
Clearly the example above does not require “price point.” And while we’re getting rid of “price point” in that sentence, let’s just say “prices below $1000.” Mark’s my name, don’t wear it out!
However…when I worked in the inventory business, we would sometimes conduct what we referred to as “price-point” inventories. These were counts where we recorded only the price (and usually department) of the merchandise, as opposed to entering a SKU or UPC number. Somehow, “price inventory” just doesn’t sound right.
I can’t cite a specific rule, but I think it has to do with the use of “price” as an adjective. Note the use of the hyphen — since there is no appropriate suffix to turn “price” into an adjective (pricial? priciary?), it begs for some sort of modifier. “Price-level” or “price-based” inventory also sound better than just “price” in this context.
Anyone else think this makes sense?
Happy Sunday - well I’m a D list blogger. There’s only room for improvement.
take care
Just for your info, David, I quoted you and put up a mild challenge on minimum wage over at Piece of Mind.
Hehe. Not sayin’ a word.
Other than what I just said, of course. Thanks for the link-love.