Price Gouging

price gouging
n : pricing above the market when no alternative retailer is available
Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_gouging
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply_and_demand

When vendors raise prices on rare goods, it is based on the laws of supply and demand, NOT price gouging. Vendors have the freedom of raising prices in a free market economy. Consumers also have the freedom of choosing between competitors in a free market economy.

So don't be surprised at high prices, and exercise your right to choose.

So in relation to recent events:
No one is forcing you to buy Conroe's from Newegg. No one is forcing you to buy Conroe's 'now'. Vendors are not obligated to provide them to you at MSRP prices at the time of release. Their goal is to make money.

Lots of other companies have raised their prices as well. (Some of the companies with low prices actually do not have them in stock, so their prices may actually be competitive when they do become available. What they gain in pre-orders is your guarantee that you're buying from them.) None of it means you should completely ignore their business. Prices change, and what may currently be the most expensive may later be the cheapest.