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Who is the biggest violator of consumer rights in the United States?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

Who is the biggest violator of consumer rights in the United States of America by Richard WeisserOver the last few decades a lot of progress has been made in the consumer rights arena.

Many of the reforms were not magnanimous gestures by industries wooing consumers on the basis of good customer relationships.

Rather, most consumer protections were mandated by federal laws designed to force businesses to deal with consumers in a legally defined system of “fairness.”

However, one of the largest entities in the United States of America seems to be exempt from adhering to any semblance of civil consumer treatment.

The largest seller of homes in the United States of America runs roughshod over consumers with misleading, punitive, and outright deception in the marketing and sale of the properties that it owns.

Instead of treating consumers with fairness and respect, buyers are prodded by threats and penalties.

Who is the biggest violator of consumer rights in the United States of America?

Ever bought a HUD or VA owned property?

The biggest violator of consumer rights in the United States of America is:

 

The United States of America.

Show All Comments Sort:
Rob Lyszczarz
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited - Westfield, NJ
Very tough to regulate the agencies and the Reo's.
Mar 29, 2014 01:13 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
It can be tough to get those in power to realize their responsibility to the greater community.
Mar 29, 2014 01:28 PM
Fred Cope
Reliant Realty in Nashville, TN - Nashville, TN
Looking For Homes With A Smile

Richard, good point, but I think the United States of America is the people in the fifty states.  We do our share of violating other's right for sure, but I would add the word government to your point. The Government of the United States of America claims to protect our rights, but it is so out of control that we pay the price.  That Government consist of 435 voting members of the US House of Representatives, 100 US Senators, 9 US Supreme Court Justices, a President and a Vice-President, Cabinet members, Ambassadors, Department Heads, thousands of Administrative personnel, inspectors, rangers, military commanders, and so on.

 

As Jay observed, Congress exempts itself from the rules it forces upon us; but it is our fault: we keep re-electing them.  It won't change until WE make the change.  We mistakenly buy the lie that our guy is looking out for us, and we need his experience and seniority.  Nope, like old motor oil, we need to change the oil and the filter (the national press).  When we get the courage of 300,000 gun owners in Connecticut, and say "Enough!  No more! We the people are fed up!"  That is when change begins...

Mar 29, 2014 01:31 PM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Ah Richard...the old "do as I say, not as I do" scenario. It happens all the time with the Feds.

Mar 29, 2014 01:55 PM
Jack O'Neal
HomeSmart Elite Group - Gilbert, AZ
Great post Richard! I must say it's congress who makes this happen so easily because they make themselves exempt from everything. It's very unfair. Tell them to read the Constitution again!
Mar 29, 2014 03:33 PM
Rod Pierson
Wilson Realty Inc - Redding, CA
Northern California - An Agent you can trust
One of the biggest violators is the bankers along with the private Federal Reserve. And since the bankers control congress they go right along with bankers instructed what to do.....
Mar 29, 2014 05:32 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

The longer the paperwork involved, the more lawyers and cooks in the kitchen and all the agendas, the greater the manure, quick sand. You are right Richard. But then apathy kicks in. Way to speak up! I'd vote for you!

Mar 29, 2014 07:00 PM
Richard Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Yes and I see this in large public run agencies whose policies dominate and fail to serve the purpose unto which they were created...Good post

Mar 29, 2014 10:39 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

A great perspective. I increasingly speak with mortgage lenders who say they work for the US government, not for their mortgage firms.

Mar 29, 2014 11:29 PM
Paul McFadden
Responsive Pest Control - Seattle, WA
Pest Control, Seattle, WA.

Interesting. And I agree with you! Must be a libertarian. Thanks!

Mar 30, 2014 12:21 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

While I am not a proponent of arming everyone to fight in the streets by any stretch, I can only hope the government will finally cut the strings and turn loose Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. HUD homes, btw, appear consistently overpriced, and Fannie Mae HomePaths don't even require an appraisal so they can also sell over market.

How is putting homeowners underwater the day they close escrow a smart thing to do?

Mar 30, 2014 02:37 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

That works on a lot of levels, not only HUD or VA . . . much is hidden.  I actually like HomePath properties.  The appraisal allows for borrowers to buy homes that NEED TLC / sweat equity, where no other lender would touch it.  

Mar 30, 2014 05:04 AM
Donna Quinlan
Keller Williams Realty - Newburyport, MA
Keller Williams Realtor & Career Consultant

Never quite thought about it like that before. Good point!

Mar 30, 2014 07:12 AM
Jeff Pearl
Realty One Group Capital / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

I agree. I'm working with a couple buyers now, and I have told them that it's just a waste of time to look at HUD homes right now. Many are in bad condition and overpriced, plus I don't need to deal with the bidding process, etc.

Mar 30, 2014 08:17 AM
Jimmy Faulkner
Florida. Homes Realty & Mortgage - Wantagh, NY
The Best Of St. Augustine

The former head of the HUD is now governor of New York. The HUD was convicted of many bad things but it always rewards it's bad people.  We are a broken society and a facist country.

Mar 30, 2014 01:40 PM
Chandler Real Estate Liz Harris, MBA
Liz Harris Realty - Chandler, AZ
#ChandlerRealEstateAgent

Well said...

Mar 31, 2014 02:17 AM
Jeff Jensen
The Federal Savings Bank/Lending in 50 states - Greenwich, CT

I am sorry to say you are probably correct.  They are just too big to get things right.

Mar 31, 2014 08:02 AM
Gerald Davis
GRD Realty, Inc. - Broadview, IL
GRD Realty, Inc. Managing Broker - Chicagoland

Definitely a perspective worth considering.

Mar 31, 2014 02:27 PM
Lana Robbins Realtor ® Licensed Real Estate Broker
Aloha Kai Real Estate - Clearwater, FL
Licensed in Florida, Washington, and Hawai'i

Hi Richard. It is disappointing that it's true.

Apr 01, 2014 03:27 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

HA!  Is the U.S. Government accountable in any area in which they deal with consumers??

Apr 01, 2014 05:44 AM