Why do marketers of new and innovative products often start out with a price skimming strategy rather than a penetration strategy?

In many markets, and particularly for new and innovative products or services, innovators and early adopters are willing to pay a higher price to obtain the new product or service. In this case firms would employ a price skimming strategy that sets the initial price high as opposed to a market penetration strategy that sets the initial price low. Firms employ skimming strategies to test consumers' price sensitivity. A firm that prices too high can always lower the price, but if the price is initially set too low, it is almost impossible to raise it without significant consumer resistance.