[The Funeral Outlet] Owen Operates a Funeral Home Called Owen's

question 25

Essay

[The Funeral Outlet] Owen operates a funeral home called Owen's Funeral Outlet. Owen likes to keep things simple. He generally has one flat price with no itemization and requires that customers purchase a complete package from him if they want any services whatsoever. Owen also goes door-to-door selling funeral packages. He tries to visit neighborhoods in which there has been a recent death because residents in the neighborhood will have final arrangements on their minds. He believes and informs customers that once customers sign a contract for burial services, there is no backing out. Owen also obtains a good deal of business from phone solicitation. He enjoys calling late at night, between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., when people are tired, but before they go to bed. He believes that if people do not feel well, they are more likely to consider funeral arrangements. Sometimes, Owen varies his sales tactic and tells consumers he talks to on the phone aspects of the total cost in small increments, not mentioning the total price, believing that if they are tired, they are less likely to ask too many questions. After many consumer complaints, the Federal Trade Commission and other federal agencies investigate Owen. He hires a good lawyer with his profits in an attempt to stay out of trouble.
-If most companies within one industry are using the same unfair or deceptive practices, how can the Federal Trade Commission protect consumers?

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Definitions:

Service Firms

Companies that provide intangible products or services to consumers or other businesses rather than physical goods.

Contribution Margin Ratio

The percentage of each sales dollar that is available to cover the fixed costs and provide an operating income. Also called profit-volume ratio.

Contribution Margin

The income left over after subtracting variable expenses, which is utilized to pay for fixed costs and create earnings.

Sales

Sales refer to the transactions where goods or services are exchanged for money, contributing to a company's revenue.