 marigoldsGainfully employed, finallyPremium,MVM
join:2002-05-13
Saint Louis, MO
kudos:1 | reply to Skippy25
Re: Find someone better? said by Skippy25:So the consumer could speak with their wallet. What's the problem with that? The main problem is that it makes deceptive practice very easy. Since there are numerous legal protections for cable companies in place (on the assumption that they would protect their franchise), it is easier than it is in most companies to pull off fraud against a consumer. Just look at how many of the violations in the Rigas case were dependent on Adelphia being a public company. The feasibility requirement is the main protection the consumer has against a fly by night cable company setting up a false front, collecting install fees, and then collapsing without providing service.
The key for the consumer will obviously be to only go with known names.
That is only the most blatent barebones type of fraud though that can be carried out. Another problem with the current state franchise model is that it allows unregulated transfer of a company. Fortunately the SEC can cover some of the really disasterous problems that can arise there, but you are still talking about some pretty significant fiscal deregulation considering the type of industry involved.
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 jslikThat just happenedPremium
join:2006-03-17 | All good points. The thing to keep in mind with all this franchise reform is that we're going to have to live with these decisions for a long, long time, so we better make sure we're aware of those long-term effects. |
