[vablings]

The effect is literally the opposite of what was described. It provides a downward pressure on pricing and it's all open.

If you think a private agreement to fix the price at an artificially inflated level is the same as a public offer to lower the price based on competitors, I have little hope for any business venture you may partake/undertake

[varispeed]

It cuts both ways. Downward pricing can be used to remove competitors who cannot give up that much of margin.

[vablings]

That's a different argument to what you first stated. Regarding price consumers are not as one dimensional as you are led to believe.