Supply is limited. Always.  Increase demand enough, and there MUST be an increase in &quot;friction&quot; somehow to limit demand to match supply; otherwise, supply runs out fast favoring &quot;first come first served&quot; and suffering waste while &quot;real need&quot; goes unfulfilled. Raising prices is the most natural and appropriate (if arguably imperfect) way to apply such friction, generally equalizing the cost value to the buyer with the reward value to the seller.