iansheff Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 I have just read about the water companies warning they are going to be putting prices in April, one company going up by up by almost 8%. Why are these companies allowed to get away with it? It's not just water though is it, they all do it, gas and electric as well. People are expected to take pay cuts and put up with ever increasing costs. Cameron and his rich cronies in the government should not allow prices to increase above the rate of inflation, trouble is they have probably got shares in the companies and don't want to lose their dividends, or their rich backers. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/02/26/water-bills-to-soar-by-up-to-8-115875-22950065/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mecky Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Known it for years. The term, "Over a barrel," springs to mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melthebell Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 indeed, ive always wondered about the same thing, seems US the customers are constantly being shafted our wages barely ever go up, if they do they go up minisculey, some people have lost thier jobs yet consistantly theres a barrage of prices going up (gas, electric, food, travel, banks etc etc) and its always us that have to take the slack, in some peoples cases the slacks getting very close to the edge. sometimes i really do think companies should absorb the costs (if a company makes a billion in profit, surely they could absorb a cost rather than passing it on to the end user?), im not saying all the time, or stealing all their profits but they should be working with us rather than constantly shafting us...............the ultimate customer satisfaction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Sleeps Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 sometimes i really do think companies should absorb the costs (if a company makes a billion in profit, surely they could absorb a cost rather than passing it on to the end user?) That is the nature of capitalism. Companies exist to make money, not to provide us with a service. Their 1 single motivation is paying the largest dividend possible on their shares, or making the most profit for their owners. Now we could argue that these shouldn't be run as profit-making companies, but that's been done before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike84 Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 The utilities companies can basically charge what ever they like, they exist to make money for their shareholders and not provide a service any more. The idea that having several companies and competition would keep prices low / competitive just hasn't worked, it almost seems as though the companies are in league and set / fix prices between themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daftlad Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 all those that voted thatcher and her greedy cronies into power in the 70s, they are the ones to blame. if it was still used as a nationalised thing, and the gas and leccy as well we would not be getting shafted at all. so all you that whinge about this, if you are your parents voted for mrs thatch i really do not sympathise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxman Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Yet this Government wants more public services transferred to the private sector. Nice profits, naff service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Rich Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 all those that voted thatcher and her greedy cronies into power in the 70s, they are the ones to blame. if it was still used as a nationalised thing, and the gas and leccy as well we would not be getting shafted at all. so all you that whinge about this, if you are your parents voted for mrs thatch i really do not sympathise Very true. If British Gas were put back into public ownership these massive profits could go into lower prices for customers. As it is the profits go to the board of directors. This is the heart of capitalism, the few get rich on the backs of the many. Don't expect a Tory or even a Labour government do anything about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daftlad Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Yet this Government wants more public services transferred to the private sector. Nice profits, naff service. thats the tories for you. greed is good and look after number one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mecky Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 thats the tories for you. greed is good and look after number one You forgot to mention selfishness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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