the marketplace and the public

I think that the marketplace and the needs of the public has always had a very akward relationship, due to the fact both sides have different beliefs of what they actually need and want. the public is always wanting something for the best price, deal, or other contractional obligation while the market place needs to make the most profit that it can for the service that it has to offer. I feel it is very hard for both the market place and the needs of the public to reach a resolution in most of the affairs that they encounter together. Sometimes the needs of the public cause a greater strain of problems with the marketplace in general. I feel that i don't have a great amount of knowledge on how these two groups interact, but through their interaction and using the media to show that interaction it will help me understand how the public needs and the pressures of the marketplace will always share a common ground.