Are All Corportations Run by Morons?
(June 5, 2000)

Sadly, I have to ask. It seems as of late that big companies, conglomerates, and any business with more money than they know what to do with has decided to wage war with the Internet and those that use it. These megacompanies are too used to controlling everything and the freedom afforded to individuals and small businesses via the Internet has driven these companies insane. From the MPAA suing 2600.org, to RIAA and Napster, the Internet is beseiged by idiot corporations who will not embrace technology.

"Embrace technology?... Hell with that... we have lawyers.... sue 'em..."

So it should have came as no surprise that Detroit would jump into the fray at some point. Sans lawyers, last week the big three began putting the screws to dealers who sell to auto web resellers. (CarsDirect.com, etc...)

The big three have all issued warnings to dealers who sell to online auto brokers. Essentially, these companies want control. Angered that they lose "brand" and may not get the big margin dollars that come with extended warranties... the companies have resorted to threatening dealers who do not comply with their edicts.

What do you think? Should dealers have to follow the "long-standing policies" recently reiterated by the big three... or should consumers and dealers be able to do business in any way that is mutually beneficial? Let me know what you think: angryandy@jonko.com

(As our talkback feature and message boards are not in place I will post the best responses in my next column. By that point the server should be converted and everything should be a go.)