Which industry has the biggest laugh at their customers' expense?

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119727700#Comment_119727700

It’s all legal but it’s not all good. :)

ozmo

Toll Road collection booths - especially eastlink which was handed over to the city ages ago.

Its sole reason for existing now is to keep the people in that booth in a job.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119730768#Comment_119730768

The difference of course is that private businesses will largely keep their scandals quiet, deal with them internally, get rid of the people with whatever hush money is needed to keep things nice and quiet. The only thing that Google search confirms is that it is very difficult to hide anything that goes on in charities.

Tonesjones

The NGO sector. Cashpayers for unelected individuals who spend their half days pontificating and demanding to everyone else.

Out out

Strumms

Now….Gigs / entertainment industry…

just looking at a few gigs on Ticketmaster…

Depeche Mode…2 e-tickets.. 173 euros….they are the cheapest tickets…Malahide Castle so out in a field… zero comfort…

not a fan of that band but there is literally nobody alive I’d be paying that sort of cash to stand in a field to watch. Nobody.

If 20,000 people go. Average ticket price is about 85 euros… that’s 1.7 million in revenue for a nights entertainment, 2 hour set of live music.

That’s a pisstake

Ubbquittious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119731221#Comment_119731221

They are just row after row of vending machine that doesn't sell any product

Cluedo Monopoly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119731746#Comment_119731746

I have read and heard about various studies on it. A quick google will help you find a few.

Study: Dietary Supplements Do Nothing for Health (webmd.com)

Is There Really Any Benefit to Multivitamins? | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Do multivitamins work? Study concludes supplements a 'waste of money' for most people (studyfinds.org)

Vitamins, supplements are a 'waste of money' for most Americans: There's no 'magic set of pills to keep you healthy.' Diet and exercise are key -- ScienceDaily

I did not read any of these links but knock yourself out. I am convinced that vitamins and minerals in their natural food source work - the manufactured ones are a waste of money. That said, the level of nutrients in our soils and foods is deteriorating fast.

sprucemoose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119732234#Comment_119732234

the first link is the only one that supports your theory though

Butson

Coffee shops.

Outrageous mark up.

Ubbquittious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119732334#Comment_119732334

Most of it gets spent on rent that goes to some fella walking around Marbella or Cote d'Azur with a pair of wrap around sunglasses on and his hair swept back, all because his great granddad was a cobbler/farrier/cooper/blacksmith at the same location. The staff there get paid 10.50 an hour and the person who owns the business is wondering if every month is their last. Property is managed by DNG or one of those and business owner never gets to meet wrap around sunglasses guy

Burt Renaults

The medical industry. Trying to tell me that I need emergency surgery, or else I'll drop dead suddenly. I'm not falling for their nonsense. An absolute scam.

And I'll tell you anoth

Doe Tiden

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119732334#Comment_119732334

If they sold coffee for what it cost them they would not be in business long! They might have a decent margin but after paying all the overheads very few are paying for their house in the south of France out of it,

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119732402#Comment_119732402

on the serious side… I was on a waiting list for a scan, the consultant in the Mater said he’d get a letter sent with the date, never happened, when I kicked up about it a year later I was sent to a private facility in Smithfield….. who happened to be on the board of said private hospital ? Yep, the referring consultant…

there are a lot of twisters in private healthcare… many who work in both are.

pgj2015

Them companies who rent you a graduation robe for an hour, what is it 70 euro or something?

Sellers of Non Fungible Tokens, the tulip bulbs to be.

Meta/Facebook.

Strumms

There is a banking regulator, aviation regulator, a transport regulator (NTA)….there really needs to be oversight as regards healthcare and consultants. Prices are scandalous…waiting lists, quality of help and the manner of those charges too. HIQA is not fit for purpose and certainly doesn’t have the stones to go against consultants or hospital managers…

It’s an organisation heavy on investigation and typing up reports of content that is committed to stating the bleedin obvious and not much more… but bring about change, improving deficits in quality care and services… hmmmmmm

Sgt Hartman

Car repair garages are another one. They have a dreadful reputation for gouging and fleecing their customers. They usually see their customers as nothing more than suckers. An actual decent and honest mechanic is an absolute Godsend if you manage to find one.

bladespin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119726949#Comment_119726949

The vast majority are of little to no use, I was specifically referring to the fitness industry's endorsement of supplements though, Turmeric, no idea who that is.

bladespin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119732633#Comment_119732633

Just buy one.

hoodie6029

Magazines-they’ve always been overpriced. Now that I’ve found the Libby app I never bother. I’ll love without the few that aren’t on it.

M50, and fixed line broadband, you’ve no choice and they know it.

Hopefully 5G routers will be quick enough to run a house and make shake things up.

skaface

Politicians

skaface

Politicians

Ubbquittious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119747421#Comment_119747421

Exactly! During the last recession they were like "Ohh look, we squandered all our billions bailing out our buddies at the bank, what will we do now? Ah we can make all those ordinary eejits pay us every year to live in their own houses ha ha ha! and there is feck all they can do to stop us, cant smuggle their houses out of the country hahaha we really have them by the balls now!"

Hyperbollix

Hospital consultants...

Private consultation in a public hospital....... Called into the guys office at 2:01pm. He glanced over GP's notes for 30 seconds. Lay on bed. 10 second inspection of the issue. Asked me two questions. Back in the chair. Agreed he could do the op in late November. Left the office at 2:04.

€150 fee, health insurance to cover the op itself.

Had I been able to attend a private clinic, the fee would have been €100 to me on the day, with the op itself done same day.

Talk about taking the piss.

PUSH ( As opposed to PULL) broadcasting industry in Ireland.

Own an Irish TV station, for broadcasting to the irish audience?

Aim for an age segment. Buy into a few personalities who advocate for that age group.

Set up a chat show. set up some comedy re runs ( like golden girls for oldies, or xena warrior princess for younger etc etc)

Buy "POSITIVE" reviews in the Sindo, Irish Examiner, Irish Times, or Tabloids

There . All set.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119748648#Comment_119748648

Most of them are absolute incomprehensible and incompetent rip off merchants, dick turpin wore a mask, but two I know ought to wear one in front of a firing squad.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119732334#Comment_119732334

News Talk will keep on championing the Owners.

Capt'n Midnight

Software industry.

The first Windows 95 CD cost $300 million dollars to make. The second one cost 3c to make. And now the most you'll get is about 25 letters / numbers which expire. No promises that the software will work and no matter what happened damages are limited to getting your money back (as if that ever happens)

Support is out-sourced to the lowest bidder because - Wang Cares.

New Home

Ready made sandwiches. Almost 7 quid for the miserable slices of bread with merely a hint of filling.

Swaine

Public sector. Specifically teachers. Work fcuk all hours, always whinging about wages, wanted to be paid to sit at home during Covid and they're basically unsackable.

Pretty crap value for money.

SmithsFan

Not sure if you're trolling but the teachers I know deserve every penny.

My eldest started school last year and I volunteered for the Parents Council. Every single teacher I've dealt with is personally invested in the progress of each & every one of their pupils. I've been in classrooms during school time helping with project work and the energy needed to keep 30 kids engaged for 6 hours a day is phenomenal. I have nothing but respect for them.

If you think teachers finish work at the same time their pupils do, then you don't understand the role.

SmithsFan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119754466#Comment_119754466

Not sure if you're trolling but the teachers I know deserve every penny.

My eldest started school last year and I volunteered for the Parents Council. Every single teacher I've dealt with is personally invested in the progress of each & every one of their pupils. I've been in classrooms during school time helping with project work and the energy needed to keep 30 kids engaged for 6 hours a day is phenomenal. I have nothing but respect for them.

If you think teachers finish work at the same time their pupils do, then you don't understand the role.

lawred2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119730606#Comment_119730606

Yeah it's for the neighbor's benefit

veryangryman

The Wolfe Tones in recent weeks (and pretty much any time the irish "stick it to the man" by sending their tripe to #1)

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119719575#Comment_119719575

Agree apart from the building more houses bit. Unless you mean 3 bed semis and not a broad range of housing including high rise apartments.

The population keeps increasing but the housing stock doesn't keep pace. We need more housing.

Gillette. Almost complete monopoly on shaving equipment, charges an absolute fortune and then tells their customers they are all rapist misogynistic violent criminals.

https://youtu.be/UYaY2Kb_PKI

bladespin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119764866#Comment_119764866

Must be a big fan, never considered the Tones and an industry in themselves but hey.

Cheapass Telly manufacturing otherwise known as Vestel. Have an issue within warranty? The customer can prepare to step into a boxing match with Argos / Curry's for a good scrap. And the "customer service" reps will be best prepared to deny honouring any warranty the telly might have.

Dodge

As per usual, a thread finds it’s way down to people bashing teachers and individual companies they don’t like

Even a band they don’t like this time round

maninasia

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786405#Comment_119786405

Hey it's a free world. To be fair a lot of teachers have a cushy number, over 3-4 months holidays a year and short work days.

Is that a tough gig?

bladespin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786469#Comment_119786469

It's a profession, not an industry though, the education sector as a whole might be considered an industry maybe but personally I don't think it's laughing at our expense.

tayto lover

Filling stations.

Put prices up as soon as a rise is announced even though they bought their stock beforehand. Don't take the prices down as fast when there's a decrease as they say they bought at the higher price. Shysters.

Dodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786469#Comment_119786469

I wouldn’t be a teacher for any money.

maninasia

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786475#Comment_119786475

Its a job and a fairly handy one. I don't think it's well paid either in general so it doesn't count here . Education sector isn't over priced in Ireland generally , except for the books and uniforms.

Ubbquittious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786719#Comment_119786719

The school books industry have a good laugh

CJ Fallons rewording the odd few pages here and there, putting the same text on different pages every couple of years so there's 3 or 4 versions of the same text book about stuff that never changes like history and the laws of physics. Now they want everyone to move to iPads so they can put DRM and subscriptions on it. No more pesky second hand books just charge a monthly fee and no need to print anything ever again.

kabakuyu

Any industry that involves government grants, two that come to mind are the hearing aid business and solar panel installation>Hearing aid business is a complete rip off and the 1k grant is devoured by the operators,there is no reduction for the public.

The solar industry is quite new but its the new Klondike for some operators, some are making 4-5k for one days works and the property owner never sees the benefit of the 2.4k grant.

maninasia

I heard they still want you to order the paper books even though you have the digital versionabd the digital version is no cheaper. Is that true?