Pay what you can

Pay what you can (PWYC) is a non-profit or for-profit business model which does not depend on set prices for its goods, but instead asks customers to pay what they feel the product or service is worth to them.[1][2][3] It is often used as a promotional tactic,[4] but can also be the regular method of doing business. It is a variation on the gift economy and cross-subsidization, in that it depends on reciprocity and trust to succeed.

"Pay what you want" is sometimes used synonymously, but "pay what you can" is often more oriented to charity or socially oriented uses, based more on ability to pay, while "pay what you want" is often more broadly oriented to perceived value in combination with willingness and ability to pay.

  1. ^ Gergen, Chris; Gregg Vanourek (December 3, 2008). "The 'pay as you can' cafe". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  2. ^ Mantzaris, Anna (April 2008). "Pay-what-you-like Restaurants". Budget Travel. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  3. ^ Tyrangiel, Josh (October 1, 2007). "Radiohead Says: Pay What You Want". Time Magazine. Archived from the original on October 4, 2007. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  4. ^ "Pay What You Can". Alley Theatre. Retrieved 2009-03-10.