Seeing is Not Believing Part 10

We Know What You Need

Someone in your family probably has a cell phone that takes pictures, contains a GPS, provides Internet and e-mail access, records memos, provides a daily calendar, and dispenses dental floss. Next week they will discard that product when the manufacturer comes out with Model 16 that does all the above and contains a pop-out comb, toothbrush (with your choice of toothpaste), and nose hair clipper.

Around 19 years ago, we purchased a new washer and dryer with dozens of possible settings, temperature for wash and rinse, and a variety of drying options. Over the years knobs have fallen off or broken, yet it makes no difference: we only use two settings on the washer and one on the dryer. Now they have dryers that offer simulated dry-cleaning and washers that use “the power of oxygen” rather than detergent.

TV Cable companies (as well as satellite and the telephone companies’ recent entries into the field) also know what channels you want to watch, all 900 of them. Fighting consumer suggestions and complaints and using their lobbying power to keep Congress at bay, they have fought all attempts to give people the option to select and pay for only the channels they want. The TV providers claim they are only following regulations, so that smaller television stations, which have few followers, can survive. In actuality they are following profits, and everyone knows it. Most of these smaller broadcast companies will eventually move to the Internet anyway, where they will do just fine.

Commercial garbage haulers are the same. They offer one plan: once-a-week pickup of one container of trash, plus recycling, all for $30 or more a month. Fortunately, where we live, we have a trash transfer station where seniors can drop off their refuse at fifty cents a bag with no cost for recycling. It is now three years since we dropped our garbage hauler and we’ve saved over $1,100.

One industry that has not conformed to this all-inclusive party is the computer manufacturers. Even though Microsoft has attempted to force their products on to every PC, you still do best configuring your machine at the company web site, HP, Dell, Gateway, Mac, and others, just the way your family or business needs it. You can then purchase only the software that you wish to use.

Hospitals and doctors also follow the all-you-can use policy. In order to avoid potential lawsuits and cover their insurance company’s demands, they frequently order many lab tests that are not needed and avoid providing expensive ones that might save a life. Dentists demand a cleaning every 3 or 4 months now, and even veterinarians have gone to a one-size-fits-all, six-month pet checkup.

Consumers must not follow blindly. Be aware, ask questions, and demand alternatives. If a store, service company, or even your medical providers do not offer options or compromises, then go somewhere else. They treat us like this only because so many people let them.