quote:Originally posted by Chuck:
Cash: Thanks for posting that link. I've read Section I and am wondering if you have researched this specifically for the MFP/Copier industry, the similarities are HUGE?
Yes, but the auto dealers had great political clout in the 20's/30's when the industry was new. The manufacturers were distracted with growth and labor problems and failed to defend the consumers or themselves. The dealers were the "home team" in each market and were able to lock up the state legislatures, and (permanently?) keep the extra layer of markup in the business, preventing it from logically rationalizing to a direct model.
MFP market is not even an rounding error by comparison, the legislators aren't likely to support legislation that is anti-competitive and anti-consumer, and there is a lot more sunshine in the process these days.