Why did Harry think buying a Firebolt would clean out his bank?

Question

In this question, it is speculated on the amount of money that belongs to Harry. In it, it's mentioned a Firebolt broom costs about 400-1000 Galleons. My problem is thus: in the books, Harry is under the impression the Firebolt would essentially clean his bank out, but gives away the 1k Galleons to Fred and George like it was nothing.

Why does he think can he not afford a Firebolt, given that his bank would cover it numerous times over?

Note: Granted the pricing on the Firebolt is pure speculation, but if it's a consumer model of broom being displayed at Diagon Alley, it couldn't REALLY be an incredibly sum of money, given that it would be too expensive to just "show off" in a window.

I don't think Harry was thinking about the monetary value of the thousand galleons he gave away. His upbringing seems to have made him completely content with "enough", anything beyond that is a luxury he barely registers. — DavidS, Jun 15 '16 at 14:55
Age? He receives his Firebolt in Year 3. He gives gives his money for F&G in Year 4. He has had time to learn about the monetary system by then. — Skooba, Jun 15 '16 at 14:55
"it couldn't REALLY be an incredibly sum of money, given that it would be too expensive to just "show off" in a window." [citation needed] I've seen $100k used cars sitting in a showroom window. I've seen £1,000,000 cars sitting in a new car dealership's window. Really expensive items are often displayed in the shop window (under heavy security, obviously) to lure shoppers in, the vast majority of whom are expected to purchase much less expensive items, but still items sold at a profit. — FreeMan, Feb 23 '24 at 16:29

Himarm · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-15T15:36:09.383

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Its his personal thoughts talking himself out of buying a Firebolt, it isn't necessarily literal. Breaking the bank is a very common phrase meaning expensive, but not necessarily literal, and Harrys phrase gives off that same vibe to me.

Price on request ... Harry didn’t like to think how much gold the Firebolt would cost.

He had never wanted anything so much in his whole life –

Harry is a 13 year old boy, looking at the flashiest toy that exists, say a new 4k TV.

but he had never lost a Quidditch match on his Nimbus Two Thousand,

But he really loves his old 1080pd 120 refresh smart tv.

and what was the point in emptying his Gringotts vault for the Firebolt, when he had a very good broom already?

Why should i blow my money on something when my TV already works, even though this one is beautiful.

Harry didn’t ask for the price, but he returned, almost every day after that, just to look at the Firebolt.

Pouts and lusts after that 4k TV hoping it goes on sale, contemplating robbing the store.

Other then that we have the small issue of JKR being bads with mafs. Does she even know how much a broom should cost in her own head related to how much school tuition costs, and Harrys small fortune?

Finally the FireBolt seems to be currently a built on demand product, as in there is 0 surplus and they will only make you one if you pay them enough. They are currently most likely working full time to create enough brooms to supply the pro market, so personal use brooms are still second in production, and can be purchased in advance of public release(if they will ever have one) at a premium price.

‘Irish International Side’s just put in an order for seven of these beauties!’ the proprietor of the shop told the crowd. ‘And they’re favourites for the World Cup!’

edited Jun 15 '16 at 15:36

answered Jun 15 '16 at 15:11

Himarm

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I actually feel like we can give JKR a pass on this one. Regardless of how much gold Harry has, he's still a total idiot; he was an idiot in his final year, he was even worse in his third. I don't find it hard to believe that he'd equate "Price on request" with "More money than I have". There's also the possibility that "emptying his Gringotts vault" wasn't meant entirely literally. – Anthony Grist Jun 15 '16 at 15:22
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@AnthonyGrist i agree its most likely not meant literally. – Himarm Jun 15 '16 at 15:23
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Agreed; Harry is an idiot. – jaichele Jun 15 '16 at 16:54
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Harry was also a kid who was accustomed to being extremely poor. I don't think it's unreasonable to think that even if he had thought about it rationally, he might have realized he could have afforded it, but he was so unused to having that kind of money that irrationally it felt unobtainable. – Kai Jun 16 '16 at 00:06
I like to think that the shop keeper would like nothing more than for Harry Potter to be seen asking about the price. – EvilSnack Jul 19 '16 at 01:54
I love the internal conversation at the start of this answer. I'd like a show of hands of all those who have not had this conversation! – FreeMan Feb 23 '24 at 16:31
It's possible that "price on request" is a reference to the Discworld books, in which Pratchett notes something along the lines of that "anything in a store that doesn't have a price tag will be ludicrously expensive." – In Hoc Signo Feb 23 '24 at 16:36

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 15 '16 at 15:20

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It's an expression. Harry is not genuinely concerned that he'll empty his vault--he inherited a small fortune! The way if I want something new and flashy, I'm concerned that I'll "Drain My Bank Account." It's just the

answered Jun 15 '16 at 15:20

Nora Swidler

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I think you forgot to finish your thought... – FuzzyBoots Jun 15 '16 at 16:12
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"the purple platypus tried eating his bank statement so he wasn't able to read it." Perhaps? – Anoplexian Jun 15 '16 at 17:20
I think she was going to say Candleja – Xavon_Wrentaile Oct 30 '18 at 04:05

Why did Harry think buying a Firebolt would clean out his bank?

2 Answers2