A Question for the Consumers

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awarepoint

Junior Member
Dec 15, 2008
4
0
0
Yes, definitely phone, internet, and television service. Rent as well.

And most food/clothing/stationary/etc. items that aren't on sale. Especially products that sell for the name brand...way overpriced in my opinion.

And eating out...paying $10-20 a meal, imo, should only be reserved for those occasions when you have special company or cannot cook for whatever reason.
 

Fear No Evil

Diamond Member
Nov 14, 2008
5,922
0
0
How many of you feel YOU are overpaid for your job? While I believe that some people here would admit they are overpaid - I bet a lot would not. I also believe that almost everyone here complaining about Cable prices do not work for the cable company. And people compaining about ISP prices do not work in the ISP business. People complain and whine about everything OTHER than the business they work for. Lets be honest here, how many people would be willing to take a pay cut in THEIR job to bring the cost down of the product your company makes? Or how many of you would work 5 extra hours a week unpaid to bring down the cost?

This thread is interesting, and I do agree that some things cost too much. I also think some people would just like to cut the jobs and wages of people in industries they do not work in because it does not impact them.
 

SandEagle

Lifer
Aug 4, 2007
16,809
13
0
have to agree with car insurance, unless you're a careless driver. also, utility bills... esp. water... how the eff my bills are close to 3 bills is beyond me
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Originally posted by: bamacre
College tuition?

Good call. It's absurb how fast tuition rates have skyrocketed. It's almost $25k a year to go IN STATE to University of IL Champaign/Urbana.
 

sisq0kidd

Lifer
Apr 27, 2004
17,043
1
81
Originally posted by: vi edit
Originally posted by: bamacre
College tuition?

Good call. It's absurb how fast tuition rates have skyrocketed. It's almost $25k a year to go IN STATE to University of IL Champaign/Urbana.

Add college textbooks to that list. I think it's a bigger scam than tuition.
 

blackangst1

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
22,902
2,359
126
Im unhappy with almost any government agency I have to deal with. Federal is the worst, and I have a bit of experience. They just dont give a rat's ass.
 

frostedflakes

Diamond Member
Mar 1, 2005
7,925
1
81
Originally posted by: vi edit
Originally posted by: bamacre
College tuition?

Good call. It's absurb how fast tuition rates have skyrocketed. It's almost $25k a year to go IN STATE to University of IL Champaign/Urbana.
Yikes. My in-state tuition is ~$4k/semester.
 

Fear No Evil

Diamond Member
Nov 14, 2008
5,922
0
0
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
How many of you feel YOU are overpaid for your job?
Everyone who posts on their Employers dime.

My employer pays for my internet. I always post on their dime. I also do not work at an office, so I am nearly always connected to their VPN even when I am not working. So while your little attack on me (With information gained through abusing your moderator status) is amusing.. its not valid.

However - That being said.. I do believe I am paid fairly. What you won't find me doing however is claiming that every service I use is overpriced. I realize that there is a lot more to ISP service than just running a couple cables to some routers. What I am asking for is for people to be honest about costs and realize that when they argue that everyone is out to screw them, they might be one of those doing the screwing.

I'm guessing you don't have any real interest in debating the topic with me though. You were just taking the opportunity to take a little jab at me.
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
61
Originally posted by: frostedflakes
Originally posted by: vi edit
Originally posted by: bamacre
College tuition?

Good call. It's absurb how fast tuition rates have skyrocketed. It's almost $25k a year to go IN STATE to University of IL Champaign/Urbana.
Yikes. My in-state tuition is ~$4k/semester.

I graduated in Dec '98 from an in-state, and tuition was less than a grand per semester.
 

MovingTarget

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2003
9,002
115
106
Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
How many of you feel YOU are overpaid for your job? While I believe that some people here would admit they are overpaid - I bet a lot would not. I also believe that almost everyone here complaining about Cable prices do not work for the cable company. And people compaining about ISP prices do not work in the ISP business. People complain and whine about everything OTHER than the business they work for. Lets be honest here, how many people would be willing to take a pay cut in THEIR job to bring the cost down of the product your company makes? Or how many of you would work 5 extra hours a week unpaid to bring down the cost?

This thread is interesting, and I do agree that some things cost too much. I also think some people would just like to cut the jobs and wages of people in industries they do not work in because it does not impact them.

Although your point is valid, I do not think it is as closely correllated as you think. You have to keep in mind that a reduction in costs for these services would not translate into a paycut for the people actually doing/providing said services. It would most definitely hurt the stockholders and upper management (i.e. salaried w/ benefits + bonuses) types. However, these said services in almost all cases can be provided at a lower cost with better management, refined process, and cost reduction outside of worker pay. You cannot compare the guy who goes around the neighborhood mowing lawns, cleaning gutters, or cutting down trees for a living with those who work for, say, the cable company.
 

Dissipate

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2004
6,815
0
0
Originally posted by: blackangst1
Im unhappy with almost any government agency I have to deal with. Federal is the worst, and I have a bit of experience. They just dont give a rat's ass.

And yet you probably believe in paying taxes to support those agencies.
 

MovingTarget

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2003
9,002
115
106
Originally posted by: bamacre
Originally posted by: frostedflakes
Originally posted by: vi edit
Originally posted by: bamacre
College tuition?

Good call. It's absurb how fast tuition rates have skyrocketed. It's almost $25k a year to go IN STATE to University of IL Champaign/Urbana.
Yikes. My in-state tuition is ~$4k/semester.

I graduated in Dec '98 from an in-state, and tuition was less than a grand per semester.

Lucky you. Tuition, like health care, is a cost that has been increasing at a much higher rate than normal inflation.
 

Fear No Evil

Diamond Member
Nov 14, 2008
5,922
0
0
Originally posted by: MovingTarget
Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
How many of you feel YOU are overpaid for your job? While I believe that some people here would admit they are overpaid - I bet a lot would not. I also believe that almost everyone here complaining about Cable prices do not work for the cable company. And people compaining about ISP prices do not work in the ISP business. People complain and whine about everything OTHER than the business they work for. Lets be honest here, how many people would be willing to take a pay cut in THEIR job to bring the cost down of the product your company makes? Or how many of you would work 5 extra hours a week unpaid to bring down the cost?

This thread is interesting, and I do agree that some things cost too much. I also think some people would just like to cut the jobs and wages of people in industries they do not work in because it does not impact them.

Although your point is valid, I do not think it is as closely correllated as you think. You have to keep in mind that a reduction in costs for these services would not translate into a paycut for the people actually doing/providing said services. It would most definitely hurt the stockholders and upper management (i.e. salaried w/ benefits + bonuses) types. However, these said services in almost all cases can be provided at a lower cost with better management, refined process, and cost reduction outside of worker pay. You cannot compare the guy who goes around the neighborhood mowing lawns, cleaning gutters, or cutting down trees for a living with those who work for, say, the cable company.

It COULD be provided without cutting wages.. But I doubt it would. Unless you plan on having the government regulate how businesses are run, I don't see how you could enforce that. Also if you have a 401k, you are a stockholder. I wonder how many retired people would agree with lowering the costs of products 25% if it meant their retirement income dropped 25%? Or even 10-15%?
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
3
0
Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
How many of you feel YOU are overpaid for your job?
Everyone who posts on their Employers dime.

My employer pays for my internet. I always post on their dime. I also do not work at an office, so I am nearly always connected to their VPN even when I am not working. So while your little attack on me (With information gained through abusing your moderator status) is amusing.. its not valid.

However - That being said.. I do believe I am paid fairly. What you won't find me doing however is claiming that every service I use is overpriced. I realize that there is a lot more to ISP service than just running a couple cables to some routers. What I am asking for is for people to be honest about costs and realize that when they argue that everyone is out to screw them, they might be one of those doing the screwing.

I'm guessing you don't have any real interest in debating the topic with me though. You were just taking the opportunity to take a little jab at me.
A little paranoid there buddy? Seriously, how many people post here on their employers dime? By the looks of it more than just a few judging by the volume of post made during normal business hours, that's all I was commenting on. I had no idea who your ISP was or that it was paid for by your employer until you just mentioned it. Hey I actually thought you might see the humor in it. Oh well.
 

Fear No Evil

Diamond Member
Nov 14, 2008
5,922
0
0
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
How many of you feel YOU are overpaid for your job?
Everyone who posts on their Employers dime.

My employer pays for my internet. I always post on their dime. I also do not work at an office, so I am nearly always connected to their VPN even when I am not working. So while your little attack on me (With information gained through abusing your moderator status) is amusing.. its not valid.

However - That being said.. I do believe I am paid fairly. What you won't find me doing however is claiming that every service I use is overpriced. I realize that there is a lot more to ISP service than just running a couple cables to some routers. What I am asking for is for people to be honest about costs and realize that when they argue that everyone is out to screw them, they might be one of those doing the screwing.

I'm guessing you don't have any real interest in debating the topic with me though. You were just taking the opportunity to take a little jab at me.
A little paranoid there buddy? Seriously, how many people post here on their employers dime? By the looks of it more than just a few judging by the volume of post made during normal business hours, that's all I was commenting on. I had no idea who your ISP was or that it was paid for by your employer until you just mentioned it. Hey I actually thought you might see the humor in it. Oh well.

If thats truly the case then I apologize.
 
Dec 30, 2004
12,553
2
76
Cable/Internet and Cellphone text msg rates.

Government-- they're good at producing paperwork and hardly anything else. We can keep the defense sector; that helps our dollar stay strong; and you can keep the transportation taxes, but kill the entitlements, public education system (or move to a voucher system so you can choose where to send your kids) and the rest of the government and pay down our debt. The US Treasury has never defaulted on a T-bond...yet...
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
3
0
Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
How many of you feel YOU are overpaid for your job?
Everyone who posts on their Employers dime.

My employer pays for my internet. I always post on their dime. I also do not work at an office, so I am nearly always connected to their VPN even when I am not working. So while your little attack on me (With information gained through abusing your moderator status) is amusing.. its not valid.

However - That being said.. I do believe I am paid fairly. What you won't find me doing however is claiming that every service I use is overpriced. I realize that there is a lot more to ISP service than just running a couple cables to some routers. What I am asking for is for people to be honest about costs and realize that when they argue that everyone is out to screw them, they might be one of those doing the screwing.

I'm guessing you don't have any real interest in debating the topic with me though. You were just taking the opportunity to take a little jab at me.
A little paranoid there buddy? Seriously, how many people post here on their employers dime? By the looks of it more than just a few judging by the volume of post made during normal business hours, that's all I was commenting on. I had no idea who your ISP was or that it was paid for by your employer until you just mentioned it. Hey I actually thought you might see the humor in it. Oh well.

If thats truly the case then I apologize.


 

MovingTarget

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2003
9,002
115
106
Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
Originally posted by: MovingTarget
Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
How many of you feel YOU are overpaid for your job? While I believe that some people here would admit they are overpaid - I bet a lot would not. I also believe that almost everyone here complaining about Cable prices do not work for the cable company. And people compaining about ISP prices do not work in the ISP business. People complain and whine about everything OTHER than the business they work for. Lets be honest here, how many people would be willing to take a pay cut in THEIR job to bring the cost down of the product your company makes? Or how many of you would work 5 extra hours a week unpaid to bring down the cost?

This thread is interesting, and I do agree that some things cost too much. I also think some people would just like to cut the jobs and wages of people in industries they do not work in because it does not impact them.

Although your point is valid, I do not think it is as closely correllated as you think. You have to keep in mind that a reduction in costs for these services would not translate into a paycut for the people actually doing/providing said services. It would most definitely hurt the stockholders and upper management (i.e. salaried w/ benefits + bonuses) types. However, these said services in almost all cases can be provided at a lower cost with better management, refined process, and cost reduction outside of worker pay. You cannot compare the guy who goes around the neighborhood mowing lawns, cleaning gutters, or cutting down trees for a living with those who work for, say, the cable company.

It COULD be provided without cutting wages.. But I doubt it would. Unless you plan on having the government regulate how businesses are run, I don't see how you could enforce that. Also if you have a 401k, you are a stockholder. I wonder how many retired people would agree with lowering the costs of products 25% if it meant their retirement income dropped 25%? Or even 10-15%?

Well, I didn't delve into that as this thread isn't about enforcement by the gvt. It is about identifying where we, as consumers, feel are being gouged. Sure, these companies could self-regulate, but the people who rise to the upper levels of a lot of these corps are somewhat resistant to change and subject to their own greed, just like anyone else. Hence, they do things like they always have instead of innovating and continue to gain everything they can get away with at the expense of a sometimes captive customer base (see: healthcare, education, cable, utilities, etc.) If the market for a particular product lacks true, meaningful competition, then some external force might have to step in and tip the scales back in the direction of the consumer. Depends on who is getting screwed the hardest and how mad/vocal they get about it.

The 401k thing is a bit of a different beast. Again, you cannot claim 100% connection there. (I don't think you are, but I'm not exactly sure) A lot of the things that could be used to lower costs for the consumer would be the exact same things that could increase profitability at said companies. Again, greed and complacency rule the roost at most companies. Consumers' benefit does not have to come at the expense of stockholders necessarily if the right kind of changes are made. It can even help to grow the customer base. Everyone loves the good old-fashioned price war as it forces companies to do this kind of innovation that is needed to remain competitive (and afloat). True competition like this is really the source of all the efficiencies that the private sector has over gvt bureaucracy. Consumers > *. Besides, 401k is supposed to be supplemental for retirement income in addition to SS, savings, and more stable retirement benefits such as annuities or old-style pensions. (I once made a 3-legged stool argument when it comes to retirement which fits in decently here)
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
61
I was hoping some people would start seeing a pattern from most of the answers, and especially things not mentioned.
 

Bowfinger

Lifer
Nov 17, 2002
15,776
392
126
The ones I haven't seen mentioned are banking and lending, with their never-ending barrage of fees and consumer-unfriendly T&Cs. Mediocre value and service at best, outright rip-offs at worst. Generally speaking, the bigger the company, the worse the value offered. Couple that with our tax bailout, and they've become the hands-down biggest ripoff of Americans.

Close on their tails is the life insurance industry. Their forte is selling over-priced "investment" vehicles to ignorant, fearful people who would be better served with simple term life products, ideally some sort of cheap group life. Property and casualty insurance is far more straightforward and generally a much better value IMO. Many P&C companies offer atrocious service, however.

Cable and land-line phone companies also tend to offer poor service at inflated prices, mostly due to limited competition. Cell phone companies generally offer better service in my experience, but tend to gouge for add-ons like text messaging. I'd single out Verizon as one of the worst in terms of customer-unfriendly equipment and service offerings, blatantly crippling their phones to force customers into expensive and unnecessary premium services. Maybe some other carriers are equally bad.

Software companies generally are OK on pricing, but often deliver abysmal service. This industry is plagued with companies who seem to think they have some God-given right to abuse their customers. Aside from trying to disclaim any responsibility for selling products that actually function as advertised, we have the whole "software is licensed, not sold" scam. Bullshit! I walked into a retail store and picked it off a shelf. It's mine. Then there are are the never-ending copy (and use) prevention schemes, the gaping security holes, the lack of support, the annual "upgrade" scams (often not upgrades at all, and with some companies essentially disabling older versions), the nonsense license agreements, the bundled spyware, and in at least a couple of cases, the wonderful root kits so helpfully (and silently) included. All in all, an industry that should be ashamed of itself.

Finally, I'll throw in the entertainment industry, specifically the xxAA companies, who offer many of the same abuses as the software industry (brothers in intellectual property abuse). Other delights from these folks include their perpetual copyright grab and their "screw fair use" contempt for their customers.

That's my off-the-cuff list.
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
61
How many people here in the USA have a choice in companies that offer Cable TV over fiber optic?
 
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