10 Harry Potter Plot-Holes That Are Actually Aren't
1. Ollivander Should Be Broke?
The Plot-Hole:
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Slughorn states that the price of Unicorn hair is ten galleons, yet Olivander sells his Unicorn hair wands for seven. Wizards clearly don’t understand economics.
But Wait...
Except, they do.
Ollivander collects his wand core materials personally: in Goblet of Fire he mentions nearly being gored by a Unicorn after plucking a hair from its tail. We also know that Fawkes gifted the feather that forms the core of Harry’s wand. Seeing that Ollivander procures these materials for free he can hardly be operating at a loss.
Consider also that we are dealing with retail. It is quite possible that Ollivander leverages his reputation as a legendary wand maker into a discount from wholesalers, something his lesser competitors cannot do. Even slyer, with wands being a compulsory item on the school shopping list Ollivander can afford to charge less - thus making him the preferred source for exclusive and cash-strapped parents alike - and still turn a handsome profit. Far from being ignorant, Ollivander is one properly canny businessman.
Or, as is most likely, the ten galleon price is a case capitalism at work and the poor customers were simply being ripped off. Even in the wizarding world some things never change.