I'm on a tear this week. I really am. I am so sick of the deception and dishonesty that has grown exponentially throughout business in our country that I wonder why Americans have come to accept it rather than show it acute disdain.
Banks get bail-out money from the government to save their companies and the economy from their recent active greed and irresponsible use of public trust. Within moments, they are using that money to buy other banks, to give themselves raises, and to take trips. The very things that caused their cash insolvency. And a total slap in the face of public sympathy.
Lehman Brothers opines about the economy, calling it dire and suggesting that it can't be resolved for years. Who cares what they think? This is one of the very companies that was the backbones of the problem. I want to say to them, "Shut up, for God's sakes! We've had enough of you."
The auto makers have driven their businesses into the ground, not taking the steps to resolve the problems as they began to appear on the horizon, but taking the Pollyannaapproach that they would correct themselves. What do the executive officers of those companies earn, by the way? Do unions and their employees see any reason to relook at their own compensation packages? Could all of this be a substantial part of the cause?
It's all so dishonest.
Here in Dallas we have the microcosmic example that is also lacking of business ethics and moral character.
Dry cleaners.
The posted signs claiming specific discounts, but the prices that are charged are no less, overall, than anyone else's.
But in reality, the price they are claiming they have taken the discount from has never once been the price they've charged a customer.
They charge one price for laundering men's shirts, and as much as twice as much for laundering a woman's shirt, the only difference being on what side of the placket the buttons are sewn. That's outrageous, but interestingly, most of the people I see dropping off cleaning and laundry are women.
It's the old Oriental Rug sham. Everything on sale all of the time followed by ten straight years of Going Out of Business Sales.
Yet, rather than protest by not bringing their cleaning in the doors, customers apparently overlook that the business they are supporting are operating within a lie.
And the lie is directed to them, the customers.
The Better Business Bureau says it has no authority to expose any bad business ethics other than those of its members.
So what do I do? I don't support businesses that I suspect are unethical and that lie to me.
And I run my own business on a policy of truth and ethical practices, the way I was taught by my parents and public school teachers and the ministers at our church.
Have for 44 years. I'm sure most, if not all, members of Active Rain do, too.
BILL CHERRY, REALTORS
DALLAS
Our 44th Year Selling America
214 503-8563
800 314-7110
Hi Bill!
Back in my retail days, the store I worked for use to have "special" sales on gold jewelry. The wholesaler would bring them in at inflated prices, then they would sell them for half off. In California, this is now illegal. And if it makes anyone feel better, the store went out of business!
Miss Paula --
My very first and haunting desire is that they would ALL go out of business. But then I think, no, that's basically superficial. What I really need to wish is that they would learn ethics and integrate that into their business and personal behavior.
I had forgotten about the jewelry "frauds." Thanks for reminding me. My friend Brenda and her husband took her heirloom engagement ring -- the one with the 4 caret diamond -- to the well-known jeweler in Manhattan that shares its name with a brand of cigarettes. That was about ten years ago, I guess. The diamond had been branded at the insistence of my friend's insurance carrier, so there couldn't be any disagreement as to which diamond was hers.
When they had it in for its annual appraisal a couple of months later, they learned that the diamond had been switched out while it was at the Cigarette Jeweler's. They notified the jewler but got no response. They decided they'd drop the matter rather than go through mountains of litigation.
Of course she's not a bit shy about telling anyone and everyone about her experience with the character of the Cigarette Jeweler. One time I looked for fun, and there were quite a few posts on the Internet sharing similar experiences.
Bill
Bill,
I guess these people don't think we can add, subtract and multiply.
Go figure.
That's what makes it even more interesting, huh Brenda?
I'm somewhat reluctant to say this, but I think they are sleazeballs...no different than the convicted Enron people.
I hear your frustration! And I feel it too...ethics, morality and fairness are practically a foreign language these days....the latest...American Express now wants to be rescued because people are defaulting and can't afford their bills DUH who encouraged them to incurr those bills? (don't leave home without it!)
Miss Joanie, I sure agree with you there, and especially American Express. They have become like all of the rest. From the Neiman-Marcus of credit cards to the Pawn Shop of credit cards.
Thanks for your additions.
Bill,
I hear you and I feel you pain. When I moved to Dallas I found a local guy who had a sign men's shirts 99 cents. Then one day he raised the price to 1.59, but left eh 99 cent sign outside.
They are relentless, Richard. What amuses me is not that they are crooks, it's that they don't seem to loose customers because they are crooks.
Your guy was at the top of the crook list, wasn't he?
Bill