Victims of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires, are often financially and emotionally ill equipped to deal with the aftermath of these events. Companies that focus on rebuilding homes and cleaning storm debris receive an economic boon in these situations, but unscrupulous businesses may take the opportunity to exploit individuals when they are at their most vulnerable. Assume that a hurricane causes widespread disaster and that some local companies engage in the practices listed below. Which of the practices would you consider unscrupulous if you were a victim of the disaster? If you were a shareholder of one of the companies? Are there any reasons a business can marshal to justify such practices?
1. Solicit door-to-door.
2. Offer discounts for recommending other customers.
3. Arrange for workers to arrive at a victim’s door explaining they “just happen to have” materials left over from another job that they can conveniently use for the victim’s repairs.
4. Accept jobs on a cash-only basis.
5. Pressure victims for on-the-spot decisions regarding hiring.
6. Ask for the entire payment prior to the start of the job.
7. Charge twice the normal rate for the same work.