Using what factors SHOULD a private business be able to pick and choose its clientele? Race, sex, sexual orientation, something else?

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 00:24:01 -0400

In light of recent events and stories about whether this or that discrimination is ok, I'm curious as to what the members of Rallypoint think SHOULD be reasonable factors for discrimination for a private business? Should they be able to not serve people based on race? Gender? Sexual Orientation? Eye color? Height? Weight? Or some other factor?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 12:54 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 00:54:56 -0400

There are not reasonable factors for discrimination for private business or otherwise. Discrimination is not ok. It would be poor business practice to turn someone away based on any of the factors listed above.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 12:56 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 00:56:27 -0400

Descrimination of any kinds should not play of a factor of hiring potential employees or even firing employees, ur unfortunately it happens a lot.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 7 at 2015 2:37 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 02:37:02 -0400

It seems to me that a private business should be able to be run as the owner chooses to run it. If they make bad choices and lose business as a result, that is simply the consequences of their choices. I don't think the government has a legitimate place in the day-to-day operations of a private business.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jul 7 at 2015 2:39 AM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 02:39:13 -0400

I think its a slippery slope to go down and something that could get out of hand quickly.

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Jul 7 at 2015 5:20 AM

PO1 Tony Holland — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 05:20:31 -0400

There is only one factor that matters ---- ability to pay

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 5:57 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 05:57:06 -0400

Sir, I am of the opinion that the only thing on which a business owner should discriminate is the height of greenbacks that client has in his/her hand. The single only determining factor of that implied relationship being "business", money and a contract should be the only concern. Just my $0.02. :)

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 7 at 2015 7:03 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 07:03:48 -0400

As a business person, if you are intentionally excluding clientele you have much larger problems. Nearly any exclusion of clientele is lost revenue, which is lost profit, which is the main reason to run a business.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to tailor you model to the market you would like to have. Going after specific demographics is perfectly acceptable, however it is a fine line before "turning away business."

Why can't a business advertise to a specific group? Why can't they develop of a "brand" based on that group? RP is a business, and it not only specifically advertises to Military, it intentionally excludes non-military. Is that practice discriminatory?

As another example, who remembers Big & Tall stores? Is that concept not discriminatory to Short & Skinny? No, it's a tailored model for a niche clientele.

So that said, this is generally a problem the free market can solve for itself.

If someone doesn't want a specific clientele, then they are pushing for the creation of a tailored business by someone else. Not only that, they actively showing their behavior, which allows consumers to make an informed decision.

Let's use recent examples of Bakeries. We have a bakery denying service to Star-Bellied Sneetches. The blow back from that should be:

1) Instant loss of business, revenue, and profit from all Star-Bellied Sneetches.
2) Additional loss of monies from those who are friends/family with Star-Bellied Sneetches
3) Promoting a creation of a business which caters to Star-Bellied Sneetches or which is all inclusive, which will divide the market-share, resulting in more loss of moneys

Whereas "compelled" businesses which have no choice in choosing their clientele, have the ability to covertly discriminate, and is just good for the clientele.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 9:09 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 09:09:12 -0400

This is a property rights issue. A business owner has the right in a free society to refuse service to ANYONE for ANY reason. Regardless of what that reason may be (e.g. race, gender, sexual orientation, eye color, religion, height, weight, hair color, etc.). The free market will weed out the vile racists for their outspoken anti-social ideology. By making the poor business decision, they will lose business, not only from those who they are discriminating against, but the majority of people who are disgusted by the owner's prejudices. No longer will racist bigots be able to hide and succeed because their bigotry will be transparent for everyone to see. The free market is a much better to solve this issue than using the violence of government made and enforced laws.

Response by SFC Nikhil Kumra made Jul 7 at 2015 10:26 AM

SFC Nikhil Kumra — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 10:26:21 -0400

A business, given that it doesn't monopolize an area, should be able to discriminate over everything. Race, gender, orientation, age, height, anything... Just because something isn't "nice" doesn't mean it ought to be illegal.

Why in the world would anyone want to give their money to someone who truly despises them for whatever reason? I wish I knew the businesses who hated Indians, veterans, people over 30... I would never shop there.

With that I'd probably discriminate against easily offended people. Or insecure individuals who have an unhealthy need to feel "inclusiveness" in everything...

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jul 7 at 2015 11:19 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 11:19:58 -0400

I think the question boils down to; are you in business for the money, or are you in business to discriminate against potential customers.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Jul 7 at 2015 12:11 PM

SSG Gerhard S. — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 12:11:09 -0400

First, let me ask a question of my own. Using what factors SHOULD a private citizen be able to pick and choose their vendors?... Race, sex, sexual orientation, something else?

In other words, it's perfectly fine for a consumer to choose whichever business one desires, being able to discriminate for ANY reason by simply NOT utilizing the products, or services of that business. Why then is it NOT OK for a business to discriminate against who it wants to do business with?

That being said, I agree with SGT Efaw (Mick) G., I would only discriminate based on one's ability to pay. Businesses should have the ability to discriminate for ALL the same, stated, or non-stated reasons consumers are able to discriminate. Businesses who wish to discriminate do so at their own risk however, and shouldn't be surprised when they first limit their own sales, and later lose sales due to public blow back.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 12:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 12:38:53 -0400

It's a two-fold problem. You have the issue of government coming in and regulating what businesses can and cannot do (something we have too much of as it is). We also run into the problem of business owners and their religious beliefs. If having a gay customer in their establishment makes them uncomfortable because it's against their religion, then both parties have legs to stand on. Look at religious charities losing their tax exemption because they refuse to pay for abortions. This is yet another example of the minority ruling the majority.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 1:57 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 13:57:27 -0400

The amount of money a customer has in relation to the cost of the item or service I sold.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 5:11 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 17:11:51 -0400

The question should be why would someone want to do business with a business that doesn't want you as a customer? As a business owner if you feel strongly about an issue why would you want to do business with someone that had an opposing stance and if you did business with them what would that say about you and your principles and integrity? Private business Private being the key should always have a choice.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jul 8 at 2015 6:55 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 06:55:49 -0400

I tried getting a job at Hooters and Twin Peaks as a server. They said I lacked a few very important things but I didn't sue them. I am not serious.