# Slimiest business. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 8, 2004, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334 "2004-01-08T01:39:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![krisolov](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/krisolov/32/3724_2.png) [@krisolov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/krisolov)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/21 "2004-01-08T14:13:11Z")
umm. that’s used CAR sales. ---
**Author:** ![TaxGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TaxGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaxGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/22 "2004-01-08T15:59:12Z")
Define “slimy.” Being an ardent capitalist and libertarian, I think I don’t think in the same terms as most people when it comes to this. For example, I don’t think payday loan places are bad or anything. The people that use their services decide that paying a huge interest rate for money today is better than not having the money today, so the two parties have just made a deal like any other two parties (e.g., a guy who decides to trade a quarter for an apple and the guy who’d rather have the quarter than the apple). ---
**Author:** ![Sat\_on\_Cookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@Sat\_on\_Cookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sat_on_Cookie)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/23 "2004-01-08T16:45:07Z")
Furniture movers. They have all your stuff for ransom. I’ve moved a lot and every single one has been a complete slimeball. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/24 "2004-01-08T16:59:01Z")
Those “We Buy Homes” guys. ---
**Author:** ![TaxGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TaxGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaxGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/25 "2004-01-08T17:16:30Z")
What’s wrong with the “We Buy Homes” guys? ---
**Author:** ![TaxGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TaxGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaxGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/26 "2004-01-08T17:22:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KidCharlemagne \* > \*\*I’m going to go with “ **some** defense attorneys and prosecutors.” The notion of defending/prosecuting someone you believe to be guilty/innocent for the enhancement of your own ego and purse is appalling to me–especially when underhanded tactics are employed. \*\* 1. The concept of “knowing” that a person is guilty or innocent before the trial is complete is flawed. It’s not logically possible because the verdict at the end of the trial is the mechanism that decides whether a person is guilty or innocent. 2. Even if a person appears likely to be guilty, he deserves to have (a) any evidence in his favor presented and (b) his procedural rights protected. ---
**Author:** ![Etherman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@Etherman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Etherman)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/27 "2004-01-08T17:36:50Z")
Nothing yet about telemarketers and spammers? Especially the tactics used by them. Any business that actively uses deception and illegal tactics to get around your defense against them has some moral issues. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/28 "2004-01-08T17:50:46Z")
Anyone who advertises on an infomercial. Anyone. I’m rarely up late enough to see them, but the ones I have seen are more than just a tad suspicious. A friend of mine was about to pursue some get-rich-quick real estate selling scam (Carlton Sheets) before I did some Internet research on the name and advised him to stay the hell away from it. ---
**Author:** ![evilhomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/43a26b/32.png) [@evilhomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhomer)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/29 "2004-01-08T17:56:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TheLoadedDog \* > \*\*Mortgage Brokers > Payday Loan Shops > Pawnbrokers > The sex industry (moral issues aside - just the way it’s run) > The tobacco industry > Repo men \*\* What’s wrong with Mortgage Brokers? I used one recently when I bought my house, and got a good interest rate. Maybe they’re different in Australia? I’m also not sure I’d include Repo Men in with “slimy” professions. I’m sure there are some slimy repo men, but I don’t think the whole group is bad. I’ve watched a couple of episodes of “Repo Men” (which of course makes me an expert ;)) on TLC, and the guys they had on there were simply doing their job. If people buy things and then don’t pay for it, it shouldn’t be that surprising when it’s taken back. I’d second **Mangetout’s** mention of time-share sales. I read a recent article about the high pressure tactics they use, and while it’s not illegal, I still find it objectionable, especially since (in Canada anyway), there is no “cooling off” period if you change your mind. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/30 "2004-01-08T18:03:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TaxGuy \* > \*\*1) The concept of “knowing” that a person is guilty or innocent before the trial is complete is flawed. It’s not logically possible because the verdict at the end of the trial is the mechanism that decides whether a person is guilty or innocent. > > \*\* The verdict at the end of the trial only determines whether or not a perp is going to pay for thier crime. Being found innocent doesn’t mean he/she didn’t actually do it. Unless Nicole Simpson killed Goldman, then committed suicide by cutting her own head off. ---
**Author:** ![harmless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/2acd7d/32.png) [@harmless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmless)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/31 "2004-01-08T18:22:14Z")
SpammersSpammersSpammersSpammersSpammersSpammers I hates 'em I hates 'em I hates 'em I hates 'em I hates 'em I hates 'em I hates 'em I hates 'em I hates 'em And what’s worse is that they’re using MY email for their undeliverable mail! ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/32 "2004-01-08T18:27:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sat on Cookie \* > \*\*Furniture movers. They have all your stuff for ransom. I’ve moved a lot and every single one has been a complete slimeball. \*\* Boy, I’ll second that one. I’ll also add tow truck operators. They have your car for ransom, they don’t take checks or credit cards (cash only) and they are located in the bad part of town. They could care less about you, and what’s worse is that it is an involuntary transaction on your part (unlike dealing with the slimeball movers). I hate those son of a bitches. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/33 "2004-01-08T18:52:04Z")
Mopping the floor at a peep show. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/34 "2004-01-08T18:57:23Z")
After watching a program about _Degas_ on tv last night, and recalling other sources on the subject, I think I’ll have to add Ballet. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![occ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8c91f0/32.png) [@occ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/occ)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/35 "2004-01-08T19:13:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Alereon \* > \*\*Auto mechanics. Most other businesses you can avoid being hosed by asking certain questions, or knowing what you’re getting into (reading the contract). I suppose lots of car knowledge helps when dealing with mechanics, but still, they’ll figure out a way to get you. \*\* I’m going to agree. Not that mechanics are generally slimy, but they often have the most leeway for ripping you off or being generally dishonest, due to general ignorance about autos on the part of the public. Others might include pawnshops (come on, a loan of $15 for an expensive tv? this is obviously catering to addicts and other desperate folk, plus the fact that a certain percentage fence stolen goods), the aforementioned check-cashing/payday loan/beeper stores, lawyers who actively recruit clients to file suits in dubious accident-type incidents. Actually, come to think of it, drug dealers. They take the cake for lack of professionalism and potential for ripoffs (or worse). ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/36 "2004-01-08T19:18:31Z")
Rent–to-Own places. You too can own this recliner for only $9.95 a week!\* \*[sub]for 250 weeks[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/37 "2004-01-08T19:24:43Z")
> [@](#): > > Nothing yet about telemarketers and spammers? > > Especially the tactics used by them. Any business that actively uses deception and illegal tactics to get around your defense against them has some moral issues. Any _business_ against which you must have a defense has moral issues! My vote: a tie between health insurance and phramceutical reps. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/38 "2004-01-08T19:30:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TaxGuy \* > \*\*Define “slimy.” Being an ardent capitalist and libertarian, I think I don’t think in the same terms as most people when it comes to this. > > For example, I don’t think payday loan places are bad or anything. The people that use their services decide that paying a huge interest rate for money today is better than not having the money today, so the two parties have just made a deal like any other two parties (e.g., a guy who decides to trade a quarter for an apple and the guy who’d rather have the quarter than the apple). \*\* Hmmm. Slimy. I guess one definition would be using unfair advantage to take money from someone who’s not sophisticated enough to know they’re being taken advantage of. Or they do know, but are unable to do anything to avoid it. That apple is the only food around, and it doesn’t cost the hungry person a quarter, it costs five bucks. Apples for more well-off persons cost a quarter. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/39 "2004-01-08T22:44:57Z")
Companies that offer loans on Tax Refunds. I can’t believe anyone would opt for this service. Then again there are stupid peopel. First you are using your taxes as an savings account w/o interest. Then you are paying interest on money that you should already have if you are managing your money correctly. There are no stupid questions, only stupid people that ask questions ---
**Author:** ![TaxGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TaxGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaxGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334/40 "2004-01-08T22:59:11Z")
**mangeorge** , I agree with your definition, which is why I think the word “slimy” can only apply to either certain business practices or a specific business that engages in those practices. In other words, I don’t think you can say that all “We Buy Homes” buys or rent-to-own places are slimy just because some people tht operate those businesses are. To say this another way, I guess I respect the opinion of the customers of these businesses as to whether the customer is getting a good deal than the rest of you do. After all, if the customer didn’t think they were getting a good deal, then they wouldn’t do the deal in the first place (see my payday loan post above), and the customer is in a better positioni to weigh the merits of the deal than we are. **notfrommensa** , maybe I’m a bit slow, but I’ve just recently realized that refund-anticipation loans are pretty much the only reason H&R Block and like businesses exist. Were they outlawed, I don’t think the income from simply preparing returns would be enough to keep all but a very small number of these offices open. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slimiest-business/223334.md?page=3)