

The Empowered Customer with Richard Reukema
Feb 13, 2025
Richard Reukema, author of "The Empowered Customer," discusses empowering consumers through a data cooperative model. He advocates for ethical data management that benefits both customers and merchants. The conversation dives into transforming loyalty programs, enhancing customer trust with QR codes, and the importance of collective consumerism. Reukema highlights the dark side of influencer culture, pushing for genuine community engagement. Tune in to discover how to reclaim control over personal data while fostering a more equitable marketplace.
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Loyalty Program Exploitation
- Air Miles members poured gas on the ground to earn points.
- They didn't realize each point was worth a penny, while Air Miles sold the data for $20.
Cooperative Consumerism
- Modern capitalism prioritizes shareholder value over customer benefit.
- Consumers can influence market forces through cooperative consumerism.
Gas Price Collusion
- Canadian gas stations exhibit price collusion, raising prices simultaneously.
- This eliminates consumer choice and contradicts free market principles.