new IBA help

[Randy]

A few years ago there were 3 Barber shops outside the main gate at Ft. Lewis Army base that charged $9 for a haircut, the going rate is $12. They were busy all day everyday cutting soldier’s hair. One of the Barbers decided to raise his price to $10, within days the other 2 Barbers also raised there price to $10. Someone complained to the state and an investigation was stated to see if the Barbers where guilty of price fixing. The state spent thousands of dollars investigating the Barbershops. After a month of investigating the state found that there was no price fixing or collusion on part of the Barbers. The day that the state came out with their finding the Barber who first raised his price again raised his price to $12. The next day the other 2 Barbers raised their prices to $12, that’s where they are today. It’s only illegal if they can prove price fixing or collusion on part of the business owner. If I drive by your car wash and see you’re charging $1 per minute there’s nothing to stop me from doing the same, it’s not illegal.

 

[MEP001]

I never said it was legal but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen or that the law is enforced.

That wasn't my point. If it's illegal, don't do it or even discuss doing it. That's part of what's wrong with this world - we shouldn't even need laws to stop us from doing what's wrong.

 

[rph9168]

I think Randy's discussion illustrates my point exactly. It is happening de facto whether it is legal or not. So any further discussion on this is pointless. Personally I think this government has much more important issues and problems to deal with than car wash operators trying to get a fair price for their services.

 

[mac]

To those here who just shudder at the thought of discussing business with your competitors, get a life. Illegal ! Give me a break. Your government takes half of every dollar you earn, they rig the government to stay elected, they listen in on every phone call, email, and text that you send, along with shredding the basis of our republic-the constitution, and you are worried a couple of small operators will be busted for fixing a car wash market. It's sad. Talk to the other guys. Jeeze, what in blazes happens during a car wash convention? Are there conversation police monitoring the floor and the watering holes at night.

 

[tdlconceptsllc]

Mac thanks sir I know we have done it for years in the convience store bussiness to just get fair prices

 

[rph9168]

I think the law was written more for large corporations to prevent monopolies from setting prices. As I said before, I have never seen any wash operator run in trouble with the law and we all know as Mac says it goes on all the time.

 

[MEP001]

To those here who just shudder at the thought of discussing business with your competitors, get a life. Illegal ! Give me a break. Your government takes half of every dollar you earn, they rig the government to stay elected, they listen in on every phone call, email, and text that you send, along with shredding the basis of our republic-the constitution, and you are worried a couple of small operators will be busted for fixing a car wash market. It's sad. Talk to the other guys. Jeeze, what in blazes happens during a car wash convention? Are there conversation police monitoring the floor and the watering holes at night.

I don't see the big deal. I just mentioned it's illegal, and I'm not going to discuss or fix prices with the competition because it's illegal, not because I'm afraid of getting caught.

 

[Jeff_L]

To those here who just shudder at the thought of discussing business with your competitors, get a life. Illegal ! Give me a break. Your government takes half of every dollar you earn, they rig the government to stay elected, they listen in on every phone call, email, and text that you send, along with shredding the basis of our republic-the constitution, and you are worried a couple of small operators will be busted for fixing a car wash market. It's sad. Talk to the other guys. Jeeze, what in blazes happens during a car wash convention? Are there conversation police monitoring the floor and the watering holes at night.

Just because it's being done, it doesn't make it right. Some operators may not know the legal stance, whether they follow it or not may be something else. I speak with my competitor all the time, but it's about the market and the part of the city we cover, not pricing.