Blog Post#5

In my opinion the companies that were in the article are exacerbating the opportunity divide by taking advantage of people, who are in bad situations, and desperate. For example, car companies knowingly give loans to people who they know can’t pay them back, but salesmen’s get paid off of commission so they don’t care to stop them. Blue-Hippo was a company sending out false advertisement to people with low credit scores trying to purchase computers. The advertisements were telling people that no matter what their credit score they could purchase a computer for a cheap amount of money. In reality Blue-Hippo were not shipping customer’s computers until they could pay the full amount. Many companies get away with taking advantage of low-income earners, because many aren’t educated enough, or willing to take the time out to read contracts before they sign them.

People should be held responsible for their actions. When signing things such as contracts, and legal documents people should read them carefully.  I understand that many people don’t have the proper education but it never hurts to ask the people who are giving you the contract what it is that you are signing. People should take the initiative for themselves and fully understand anything before they sign it. Corporations in return shouldn’t be so money hungry that there taking advantage of their customers. If customers are willing to read the contract then companies should be willing to thoroughly explain it to them. Companies & customers should work hand in hand to make sure that neither is taking advantage of each other. In my opinion low-income earners should be given the option if they want a third party to assist them in understanding a contract. People who really need the help should take advantage of any assistance given to them. Overall it’s up to customers to fully understand anything before they sign it.