Prices from online component stores

Why are some prices of some components outrages. I regularly see prices for
things that are 100 times or more than their normal value. 15$ for a 1$
switch, 30$ for a small 0805 1k ohm resistor, etc... about half the
components generally are drastically overpriced.

I assume it is due to some automated price determine algorithm? (as the
prices tend to be larger when out of stock)

But surely they also do this intentionally to increase profit margins?  I'm
sure they could include in the algorithm some error control to prevent
extreme cases(which I come across all the time when I'm scanning for parts).

I'm sure I don't need to show proof but

http://www.mouser.com/Electromechanical/Switches/Slide-Switches/_/N-5g2x?P=1z0z16bZ1yzsmhaZ1yzxem6&Ns=Pricing|0

15$ for a 1$ switch. It's bad enough that many components are overpriced but
sometimes it's hard to tell if they are screwing you such as the first
switch which is 2.26$. It seems a bit high but OTH you expect it to be
higher in small quantities. The switch itself probably costs less than 0.2$
to make.

Even in "medium" quantities some of these components still seem quite
expensive.

I'm just curious if this is "capitalism" at it's best or some strange quirk
of a computer algorithm?