It's time to bring back usury laws.

[Asher]

As for cash discounts, the places 'round here that offer those regularly (computer stores, usually 3% or so) are still expensive compared to if you order computer parts using your credit card from out of province.

If I pay for computer goods from the local store, I have to pay 8% PST...cash or no.

If I order it from Alberta or BC-located stores online, I don't pay any PST...

[Flubber]

As for cash discounts, the places 'round here that offer those regularly (computer stores, usually 3% or so) are still expensive compared to if you order computer parts using your credit card from out of province.

If I pay for computer goods from the local store, I have to pay 8% PST...cash or no.

If I order it from Alberta or BC-located stores online, I don't pay any PST...

To me its always good to just have all the options available-- A local Asian restaurant give 10% off for cash so I usually pay cash-- Buying furniture I have seen times where there are big discounts for cash, but sometimes I'll use the card for the points or sometimes I'll use the 'don't pay a cent for *" option (although on those you have to watch any processing or admin fees they levy, but on a large purchase, paying NOTHING for a year or more can be beneficial)

[KrazyHorse]

It should be legal to sell kidneys too. Of course no smart person would do it, so it's none of our concern.

On the contrary, there are loads of smart people in the 3rd world who would do it.

10-20k is a life-changing amount of money in a large part of the world. And very easily life-saving as well. The multinational ban on the trafficking in human organs from willing donors is one of the most evil things done in the name of good.

[KrazyHorse]

Oh, and did you miss the part where I said that I myself can think of times in MY LIFE when 500$ at 80% APR would have been FAR preferable to no loan?



Mind your own business and let people solve their own problems.

[notyoueither]

On the contrary, there are loads of smart people in the 3rd world who would do it.

10-20k is a life-changing amount of money in a large part of the world. And very easily life-saving as well. The multinational ban on the trafficking in human organs from willing donors is one of the most evil things done in the name of good.

If it were legal to buy in developed countries, would it be 10K? I think not.

Smooth though, I give you that.

[notyoueither]

Oh, and did you miss the part where I said that I myself can think of times in MY LIFE when 500$ at 80% APR would have been FAR preferable to no loan?



Mind your own business and let people solve their own problems.

No.

You may be the one in a million twit who would get mixed up in that race and find the finish line.

The point is the other 999,999 twits or desperate people who would be harmed.

[notyoueither]

Incidentally, what did you do when you needed the $500 so badly?

[Flubber]

Oh, and did you miss the part where I said that I myself can think of times in MY LIFE when 500$ at 80% APR would have been FAR preferable to no loan?



.

I didn't .
THats why I have mixed feelings--Rational sensible people could be willing to borrow 500 today and pay 550 in a month . Thats the problem with paternalistic laws-- The nanny state, in the stated goal to protect the weak, interfere in things that could be good business on each side.

[KrazyHorse]

If it were legal to buy in developed countries, would it be 10K? I think not.

Smooth though, I give you that.

Are you as much of an economic ignoramus as this?

What does a semi-effective ban in international trafficking of organs do?

It RAISES THE PRICE in the purchasing country and LOWERS THE PRICE in the supplying country. Just like any barrier to trade. Currently the price paid to donors in India is ~5000$ plus followup medical care. If the developed world was opened up as a market then that price would go way up.

Gains from trade. Everybody wins

[notyoueither]

I was under the impression that the sale of kidneys is prohibited in places like India.

[KrazyHorse]

Incidentally, what did you do when you needed the $500 so badly?

In one instance I was able to get an emergency student loan from my undergrad to pay rent. If that had not been available, I would have happily taken a loan at 80% APR for a month and a half until I got my first paycheque from my summer job.

[KrazyHorse]

I was under the impression that the sale of kidneys is prohibited in places like India.

I hate to tell you this, but that is a laughable legal fiction. There are entire clinics devoted solely to the removal of viable kidneys from willing donors operating freely in India's cities.

[notyoueither]

I hate to tell you this, but that is a laughable legal fiction. There are entire clinics devoted solely to the removal of viable kidneys from willing donors operating freely in India's cities.

Having checked, indeed it is illegal.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/world/asia/30kidney.html

Many of the donors were day laborers, like Mr. Mohammed, picked up from the streets with the offer of work, driven to a well-equipped private clinic, and duped or forced at gunpoint to undergo operations. Others were bicycle rickshaw drivers and impoverished farmers who were persuaded to sell their organs, which is illegal in India.

Who, exactly, is the ignoramus?

Not surprised though that a recent Randian convert would have completly lost any sense of a moral compass. There's no zealot greater than the convert.

[KrazyHorse]

Meanwhile, people in NA die due to a lack of transplants. We refuse to even allow people to will their organs AFTER THEIR DEATH in exchange for payment to their heirs.



Squeamishness disguised as moral principle. Nothing more.

[KrazyHorse]

Having checked, indeed it is.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/world/asia/30kidney.html

Many of the donors were day laborers, like Mr. Mohammed, picked up from the streets with the offer of work, driven to a well-equipped private clinic, and duped or forced at gunpoint to undergo operations. Others were bicycle rickshaw drivers and impoverished farmers who were persuaded to sell their organs, which is illegal in India.

Who, exactly, is the ignoramus?

You are, you ignoramus. See the post above the one I'm quoting.

****. There are plenty of willing donors even at the reduced price that is currently being paid to donors due to trade barriers in organs.



Learn to ****ing think before you post.