Seems like a no brainer. Can they tackle sales tax next?
Not likely; sales tax is extremely complicated in the US. There are 13,000 sales tax jurisdictions, and many of them have different and incompatible rules for things like sales tax nexus.
FTC bans hidden junk fees in hotel, event ticket prices
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Re: FTC bans hidden junk fees in hotel, event ticket prices
#72Seems like a no brainer. Can they tackle sales tax next?
Not likely; sales tax is extremely complicated in the US. There are 13,000 sales tax jurisdictions, and many of them have different and incompatible rules for things like sales tax nexus.
Re: FTC bans hidden junk fees in hotel, event ticket prices
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
I remember shopping in Japan. The price on the tag, is exactly what you pay (same with services, like hotels). Since this is Japan, it's a high price, but no surprises. Also, the service is amazing , and they won't accept tips. If you leave money on the table, they will chase after you, to give it back.
> The price on the tag, is exactly what you pay (same with services, like hotels). That's the norm, not the exception, in developed countries.
Re: FTC bans hidden junk fees in hotel, event ticket prices
#74Earlier quoted context omitted.
[flagged]
You're defending hidden fees? Free markets depend on information. Facts. Not lies.
The people that claim to support "free markets" really just mean they support corporations being free to do whatever the hell they want.
Re: FTC bans hidden junk fees in hotel, event ticket prices
#75Seems like a no brainer. Can they tackle sales tax next?
and service fees at restaurants. The price on the menu in Seattle or SF is ~25% lower than what the product actually costs.
Wait staff reading this: bosses at restaurants like this are stealing from you if that doesn’t go straight to you. I tip very well, but I’m not tipping twice. And yes, if it’s a “service charge”, that’s the same as saying “tip” from the customer’s perspective.
Re: FTC bans hidden junk fees in hotel, event ticket prices
#76Earlier quoted context omitted.
I would not be hopeful. From AP news: > Four of the FTC’s five commissioners voted to approve the rule. Commissioner Andrew Ferguson, – who is President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to replace Khan, was the one dissenting vote. https://apnews.com/article/ftc-junk-fees-rule-hotels-tickets...
One republican commissioner voted with the rule, and Ferguson dissented based on lame duck rule making, not the merits, while agreeing that the FTC rule making was valid for businesses like tickets and short term lodging.
Edit: The full decent reads like choosing fealty to Trump over good rule making. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/ferguson-junk-f...
Re: FTC bans hidden junk fees in hotel, event ticket prices
#77Im all for this. I’m worried though that now the junk fees will just be added to the normal price without ultimately changing anything.
No, the reason they tack on the fee as a "tax" is literally to confuse and otherwise mislead the public to the true cost of the product they're buying, or mislead where the money is directed. they're buying from. If you believe in the Tennant's of capitalism at all, then you must have clear price representation.
Re: FTC bans hidden junk fees in hotel, event ticket prices
#78An excellent change. It's unfortunate that stewardship of the committee will soon change hands as Khan has been a great advocate for fair contracts between companies and consumers during her tenure.
As a free market fan, Khan seems to have been pretty terrible. But this looks genuinely good! It's basically banning fraud. ---[EDIT], since everyone is asking for reasons here are two libertarian/conservative critiques: • https://reason.com/2024/11/07/good-riddance-lina-khan/ • https://archive.ph/IjNmZ
Pro-market: pro-market advocates for policies that enhance competition and market efficiency. Understands that god markets are made. Pro-market advocates believe in creating conditions where businesses can compete fairly without undue advantages from government favoritism. Government regulation can be essential to correct market failures and promote a level playing field.
Free market: and ideological stance where markets are without government intervention. Belief in ideal world where market failures don't exist and if they exists that's a good thing.
Re: FTC bans hidden junk fees in hotel, event ticket prices
#79Re: FTC bans hidden junk fees in hotel, event ticket prices
#80They should ban hidden taxes too. The sticker price should be the final price.
Nobody's trying to fool you by not including sales taxes. There's just no way to show them in advance, unless you want to start typing your address and zip code into every shopping website before you even browse.