A group of estate agents in Australia hoping to organise a collective boycott of portals are being told to forget the idea.
The 170 agents, represented by Property Media Group, wanted to protest against the “excessive” prices charged by realestate.com.au and doman.com.au
They had applied to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for both collective bargaining and boycott powers.
The agents, ranging from individuals to representatives of large franchise groups, argued that the two portals “having significant market power, charging excessive prices and essentially forcing real estate agents on to premium contracts”.
In Australia a collective boycott involves two or more competitors agreeing not to acquire goods or services from a particular supplier.
However, ACC commissioner Roger Featherston has issued a draft determination to deny the request.
He said he was not satisfied with the conduct proposed by PMG, as he did not think it offered significant public benefits.
A final decision is expected late October.
More here
Oh dear, it seems the Australians only now recognise just how bad it has become to be controlled by what is effectively a backdoor monopoly. Why shouldn’t they have the right to complain, we didn’t and we are being ripped off left right and centre with charges and when someone tries to bring competition back into the frame, the very thing they say the public should have, they go out of their way to make it but not applicable to business’s. This puts jobs and a business at risk, the same UK model is a prime example.
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‘ACCC commissioner Roger Featherson announced today that…”we are not satisfied that the conduct proposed by PMG would result in significant public benefits,” ‘
Surely the important issue is whether or not it would result in the public “suffering” as a result of the action?
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