posted on September 14, 2000 09:41:05 AM
For those of you who are not sufficiently advanced enough in the evolution process to spend Sunday afternoon and Monday night in front of the TV, this is Professional Football season.
The games uses a number of people as Officials who enforce the rules and keep track of the time, score and other details.
In addition, the games are filmed and both sides are given a limited opportunity to challange what has just happened and ,in effect, appeal for a review. Officials then immediatly review the film/videos and render a decision.
What in heavens name does this have to do with us? Fair question.
We're all involved in a business which is large in the number of participants, has a lot of money moving around and certain rules. Market forces keep most things in check but there are officials who oversee the rule and non-profit advocacy groups that support each side.
My problems is I don't know who the officials are. I don't see them enforcing the rules. I don't know who to ask when I want to have an appeal and review of what just happened. And I expect that the large companies supplying us services and venues prefer it this way.
I'm not a fan of big government nor their involvement in everyday affairs. I don't favor using the courts as a first choice for settleing disputes. But government and courts do have their place and I think it's about time for me to see if they will take a look at what is/has been going on.
I'm in the process of contacting the offices of my representatives in Congress. I'm giving them the briefest outline of my concerns and asking for the email address of the person to whom I should direct an email/letter detailing a more complete review of the issues. I recongize their office is limited in what it can do and what I am primarily asking is:
1) Who should I contact regarding these concerns?
2) What suggestion do you have for how I should proceed?
3) What, if anything, can your office do?
We'll see. Maybe nothing more will come of this than I feel better for having tried.
Please offer suggestions. Consider taking similar action with your elected officials.
If you have different ideas I would like to hear them. I'm interested in a solution and I don't really care how it's achieved. (The suggestion that I shut up and leave has already been made so, thank you, there is no need to repeat that opinion.)
A lot of legislation is being considered concerning ecommerce and a whole lot of money is being spent/donated to support certain points of view.
Maybe it's time to remind law makers that 14 million registered users (eBay) and 2.7 milliom account holders(PayPal) deserve to have their diverse opinions included in the discussion.
posted on September 14, 2000 10:30:52 AM
The last thing in the world we need is Congress sticking their big nose into our business (with a hand into our wallet at the same time).
The whiney wet diaper crowd who can't make decisions or come to grips with the simple fact that business agreements change will always seek someone else to rescue them from reality.
Give it a rest!!!! This is business...your business. Do what you need to do to run it. If you don't like those you do business with, find someone else. We have three viable auction sites, multiple credit card vendors, shipping services, software and ISPs to choose from.
I continually refine my business process in order to serve my customers better. So does every business that wants to survive.
Your customers want to know what YOU are doing to SERVE them. I doubt very much a letter to Congress about mean old PayPal and eBay is going to impress them.
posted on September 14, 2000 02:02:07 PM
MBALLAI - I not only enjoy and benefit from your post when I come across them in threads but I seek them out.
I've found they usually express a clear, concise and pratical insight into dealing with the realities and issues of our business.
And I agree with the premises you express in the above post. But I'm also asking the question" When is government needed?"
Was it needed regarding Firestone Tires?
How about HMO's?
And Microsoft?
Or Airlines?
And telephone service?
Now I'm not blind to the fact that the solutions can sometimes be worse than the problem.
And "The government is coming to visit" ranks somewhere around root canals and food poisoning on my all-time favorites chart.
So the most I can say is "same facts, same point of view but different conclusions".
I've spoken to the offices of my Senators and the member of the House of Representative.
They refered me to the staff member dealing with these issues(Internet/ecommerce). I now need to follow up with detailed information on specific circumstances, areas of concern and my point of view.
They confirmed what I already believed, that much work is already being done on pending legistration to specifically speak to these issues.
I think we are past should they or shouldn't they, will they or won't they and only have one choice left.
Do we want our voices heard when the legistration is enacted and more active enforcement is undertaken.
The big companies already have guys in $1000 suits walking the Halls of Congress, handing out campaign contributions, paying for parties and holding fund-raisers.
In this imperfect but still valid form of government do we want our voices heard or just keep taking whatever we are given.
I'm not sure where the line is drawn between legitimate complaints and whining but for now this is both the best I know how and what I feel I must do.
posted on September 14, 2000 02:17:05 PM
I agree that we should have our voices heard and I sure will do my part this November.
I won't get into all the cases you mentioned save one: Microsoft. Yes they should get their rear kicked. However, the guys in the suits made the case on Wall Street regarding their Redmond pals--it cost me hundreds of dollars in my retirement account. This was the government's idea to help the economy and the consumer? The Government was "right" but the people in power who controlled the purse string kicked many Americans in the rear, not the guys who needed it most.
I prefer government to stay out of e-commerce. There's no reason for them to be anywhere near it save for the hackers and other crooks, not legit biz.
posted on September 14, 2000 02:38:56 PM
Forget asking your congressman, try the FTC.
They are the ones you need to alert first. The only way your gonna get a congressman to pay attention to you if it includes "sex" and "morality" followed by "parents" and a host of other words.
Now, if you excuse me, I must file my testimony to Congress on Violence in the Media...
:\\\"Crystalline Sliver cannot be the target of spells or abilities.
posted on September 14, 2000 03:25:04 PM
Contac your representative? Sorry, but that'll get you a hearing 2 years down the road, good PR for the rep, plenty of obfuscation from the parties you're complaining about, and maybe, once a bill is drafted, presented, and argued, some legislation that goes into effect a couple years down the road. THEN somebody will file suit or claim illegal activities, and a court case will ensure, which will ALSO take a couple of years to resolve.
Fine for the long term, but I'd like quicker results, thank you.
Somebody said that it's harder to change other people than it is to change YOUR REACTION to what other people do. So? Change your behavior. Don't do business with people you don't trust. When you get bad service, complain - and if you don't get satisfaction, move on. When you do, be sure to make noise. Don't go quietly. Tell your colleagues and your customers that you're making a change and why. It's fun, it's fast - and it's free!
