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Originally Posted by rebound
I bargain with sales people on a daily basis. That's where the "small purchase cap" is a useful tool. "Sorry Mr. Salesman. I can only spend $2499.00 at most." I'm sure that's where your business gets busted. I'll bet most of your government contracts are for $2499.00, right? Looks like your buddies in the government don't want to do the legwork of a real contract. I pass more money to my civilian account executive than you get in a given year. No shame on you in that, but it certainly is illuminating as to your frustration toward government spending.
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Yes, indeed. They are lazy and would rather not go through the paperwork. I should yell at them and tell them they are wasting my tax money, but then they would simply purchase from someone else. You don't know how many times I have "oversold" them a contract, meaning they did not need as much music as I provided, but I used up their budget and gave them more than they needed. Instead of telling me what they need and asking me what it costs, they tell me what they are going to spend, and ask me to use it up.
And there are other tricks as well. For example, they will say that I am the only company that can sell them the product. And indeed, I am the only music company that can give them the specific music that I have. But there are other companies that have other music, I'm sure just as good as what I have. But making that claim will allow them to get around the bidding process.
I've had times as well where they wanted me to win the bid, so they "helped me out".
I'm sure whatever goes on with the little production studios I deal with is 100 times worse when it comes to the large contracts. I don't even do anything that could be considered a bribe. I am just nice and polite and they like dealing with me. Imagine if it were politicians I was dealing with, and I could make a campaign donation, or host a fundraiser in their name. I can only imagine how much corruption there is at that level.