Increased pricing signals the issue to consumers who would otherwise be unaware though, that's why it generally works. I don't know the technical definition of price gouging, but I typically associate it with something that consumers NEED, i.e. Hurricane comes through and wipes out 20% of homes, hotels raise prices when people are literally stranded == gouging. Raising eggs prices... wouldn't people just not buy / buy less eggs? (That's what we chose). Seems like that would also keep supply from bottoming out as quickly.