VOTERS: Don’t get gouged

Would you vote for someone who is wealthy because they hid price gouging fees in the 17 pages of fine print few people read before buying products from his company? Because you can if you want to, right here in Kootenai County, for a four-year term as county commissioner.

Let me clarify what I mean by price gouging. When a company offers a product that can be purchased for $20 at dozens of stores online, but they charge $59.99 for it, would you consider that price gouging? What about a company that charges $59.99, spreads the payments out over 60 weeks, then charges an annual fee of $49, ultimately charging the hapless consumer over $150 for a $20 meat thermometer? This type of overcharging would make a loan shark blush!

I’m not suggesting that this type of business model is illegal, just that it isn’t ethical or moral. And if someone would build several businesses like this, what do you think he would do if he becomes a county commissioner?

On his website, Bruce Mattare talks proudly about his business, but doesn’t identify it. And now I can see why. There is a whole bunch of different names and companies operating out from the same address, but to get a clear picture of what type of businesses he runs, Google: “www.tronixcountry.com” and “complaint.”

And to the person who might think “but he created 200 jobs and he’s headquartered here!” Unfortunately, those jobs are in a call center. In Pakistan.

LAWRENCE SPENCER

Post Falls