But what with the ever growing dynamics of the automobile, including the industry as a whole, it will be pertinent to maintain outside relationships with providers of new and valuable components; whether that comes from outsourcing or not will be the question, or race I should say.
With regards to the aforementioned comments concerning the USSR and the strange similarity in connection between the mafia and government... When the Soviet Union was making the transition from oppressive communist control, to more 'capitalistic" ventures, or free entrepreneurship as they called it, there were 2 things that happened. As a preface, it is important to understand that at the time of the USSR the government was the mafia in its own right. The KGB, which is not the same thing as the mafia (for the record), is a statehood security council (aka Russian CIA) with strong links to the political thresh hold. Anyways, first being, the "stipends" awarded to now oligarch businessmen. These billionaire barons, were all once soviet army members, or those of the KGB. The government could no longer control the rights to country-owned natural resource producing companies. Somebody had to take the helm. That somebody needed to be willing to give paybacks, majority of the time under the table. Secondly, in the late 80's and early 90's as communism was virtually dead, Russian began to see the birth of the Russia mafia as we know it today. With the government out of the way, per se, individual businesses began to spread like wild fire. Unfortunately, there was no regulation, or in this case, protection for the business or the owner. If you owned your own business, were profitable, you would get a knock on your door. You couldn't go to the cops/government because they were paid off and you damn well couldn't refuse to pay. Otherwise, you would end up dead, if not your family as well...
Banking has now officially become synonymous with desperation and lack of creativity. What was once saved for accountants in the backroom has splurged into the face of consumers. Once the "idea well" of ingenious ways to earn an extra-buck or two dries out big banks look to corporate tax-breaks. But what happens when supplementary hidden fees and costs just don't cut it? Apparently, this. Interestingly enough, BOA announced these plans with the concurrent release of "_% cash back on all debit card purchases"...coincidence?
I would have to agree; a plethora of headaches are to be expected when dealing with merchant accounts. Monthly fees coupled with compliance issues and constant intervention make for extra work. Relying on merchants is like relying on your local broker. Nonetheless, certain merchant accounts will allow you to escape with fees almost a full point less than Stripe. Not to mention, the 7-day rolling period can seriously impact operations pending your specific business structure. I for one am curious to learn more about how Stripe can customize payment flows...