Submitted via IRC for SoyCow8317
Car makers like Jaguar Land Rover and Peugeot have been accused of using special software to raise spare parts prices.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2018/06/04/car-makers-used-software-to-raise-spare-parts-prices/
Ever had the nagging suspicion that your car's manufacturer was charging outrageous prices for parts simply because it could? Software might be to blame. Reuters has obtained documents from a lawsuit indicating that Jaguar Land Rover, Peugeot, Renault and other automakers have been using Accenture software (Partneo) that recommended price increases for spare parts based on "perceived value." If a brand badge or other component looked expensive, Partneo would suggest raising the price up to a level that drivers would still be willing to pay. It would even distinguish parts based on whether or not there was "pricing supervision" over certain parts (say, from insurance companies or focused publications) to avoid sparking an outcry.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Thexalon on Tuesday June 05 2018, @04:22PM (2 children)
If we ignore imaginary property laws, then another way out in this circumstance is to steal the parts in question. While classic cars aren't life-or-death situations, the Heinz dilemma [wikipedia.org] is based on a real question of what to do in the face of business practices and laws that lead to unfair outcomes.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 05 2018, @06:04PM
Interesting. I wasn't aware of that dilemma. Is that an evolution of the dilemma of stealing a loaf of bread for a loved one that will otherwise starve?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 06 2018, @02:54AM
Once upon a time, long ago, there was a person in need of a trivial brake pad separator spring. This person called the parts counter and received the bad news that the $0.10 spring is only available as part of a $25 assembly, but was willing to pay the money to get the missing spring for their new car and possibly use the kit years later and just reuse the spring then, so they drove across town during their lunch hour to the parts counter that was supposed to be open for another 15 minutes before the parts department left for lunch. Upon arrival, the parts salesperson asked the person in need to wait, talked on the phone to friends for 5 minutes, then walked out and went to lunch themselves.
The person in need of a trivial brake pad separator spring noted that the new cars on the lot with alloy wheels left said separator spring exposed, where a little push with a finger would dislodge it, and just happened to find the needful spring laying on the ground after experimentally verifying this observation. Too bad, so sad that the purchaser of that new car had dragging brake pads on one wheel, such things happen when the dealer hires jerks to work the parts counter.