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A comment on US Reps Urge DOJ to Investigate Anticompetitive Conduct Affecting Apartment Rent. Parent comment

Re:US Reps Urge DOJ to Investigate Anticompetitive Conduct A... by vkou on Monday November 28, 2022 @07:12PM (#33781807)
Does this cartel punish defectors? How can it prevent people who don't want to participate from undercutting it?

It doesn't, and it can't. That's what makes it not a cartel.

The problem is not collusion, the problem is supply shortage. All the sellers raising prices isn't illegal, or cartel-like. All the sellers punishing a seller that lowers prices would be - but it doesn't happen. Not with landlords, at least.

I think our current land policy is pants-on-head stupid, but this isn't the problem with it.

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Re:US Reps Urge DOJ to Investigate Anticompetitive Conduct A... by ceejayoz on Monday November 28, 2022 @07:29PM (#33781974)
> Does this cartel punish defectors? How can it prevent people who don't want to participate from undercutting it? It doesn't, and it can't. That's what makes it not a cartel.

Your definition means OPEC isn't a cartel. (That is... incorrect.)

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