The Federal Trade Commission and a bipartisan coalition of 22 states sued Amazon on Monday for allegedly misleading advertisers over the past seven years by imposing “hidden surcharges.” The complaint, filed in the Western District of…
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FTC and 22 states sue Amazon for ‘hidden surcharges’ as E&Y awards $100 million in bonuses for people skills
The FTC, joined by 22 states, files suit against Amazon for alleged ‘hidden surcharges’ levied on advertisers. Meanwhile, E&Y allocates $100 million in bonuses for workers who demonstrate people skills. The ledger records surcharges on one side and bonuses on the other. The gap measures the cost of marketplace participation and the reward for collegiality. The receipts show the fees and the payouts, but not the net balance. In lieu of flowers, one might suggest a transparent pricing menu for customers.
“The FTC and half the country sue Amazon over 'hidden surcharges,' while E&Y hands out $100 million in bonuses for being nice. That's how you get paid for people skills when the people are paying extra. The real skill is knowing where the surcharge lands.”
“Amazon is simply innovating in its fee structures, and E&Y is rewarding employees for excellence. If anything, these are signs of a healthy economy. Did I say healthy? Maybe I meant dynamic. The important thing is, everyone wins, except maybe the customers.”
The receipts
Management consulting firm EY said it will reward employees who demonstrate human skills, such as business acumen and judgment.
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front.