Most Consumers Unaware that Many National Chains and Fashionable Brands are owned or licensed to the Same Corporation
 
If you think it is easy to find competitively priced eyeglass wear, you better think again.  This ConsumerGram discovers that many of the stores and brands are owned by or licensed to the same parent corporation.  This means [...]

Comparison of Structure, Conduct and Performance:
U.S. versus Europe’s Wireless Markets
 
 
 
Executive Summary
 
There is a belief by some that the domestic wireless market lags the European market in terms of consumer choice, consumer use and competitive prices.  This has created a perception that the U.S. wireless market is failing, leading to calls for increased market regulations [...]

Funeral Service Costs Appear High and are Increasing, Could it be the Result of Quiet Buyouts of Independent Operators by National Chains?
 
Many consumers are surprised about the high cost of funeral services.  Part of the problem is that, when making funeral arrangements, consumers are often too overcome by urgency and grief, to make savvy [...]

Bandwidth Hogs would Benefit from Proposed Internet Regulations
 
Suppose gasoline were to be sold for a fixed price per tank.  What would be the likely outcome?  Larger tanks, shortages, fewer economy cars?  Crazy?  Of course, but that is the way bandwidth on the internet is priced, and with many of the same results.  Welcome to the [...]

Seeks Corporate Welfare from the Federal Communications Commission Against Any Obvious Consumer Interest
 
The FCC appears to have been swayed by Google that open network rules should be applied to the upcoming broadband spectrum auction.  However, as this ConsumerGram explores, imposing these rules will reduce potential bidders and permit Google to buy scarce spectrum more [...]