The fine print: how big companies use "plain English" to rob you blind
(Book)
Author:
Published:
New York : Portfolio/Penguin, [2012].
Format:
Book
Physical Desc:
x, 305 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Status:
Description
David Cay Johnston has made a name for himself as the defender of the common man, calling out the rich and powerful for cheating the system at the expense of everyone else. Whether he's exposing unjust loopholes in the tax code that help the rich get richer or pointing out how powerful corporations pocket government subsidies at excessive taxpayer expense, Johnston is an eloquent town crier for justice and equality.
Now this bestselling author has turned his attention to the sneaky stipulations hidden in the fine print of just about every contract and government rule. Johnston has been known to whip out a utility bill—any utility bill—and explain line by line what all that mumbo jumbo actually means (and it doesn't mean anything good, unless you happen to be the utility company). Within all that jargon, disclosed in accordance with all requirements to you, the unsuspecting customer, lie the tools many companies use to rob you blind. Even worse is what's missing—all the contractually binding clauses that companies hide elsewhere, yet still enforce.
The Fine Print is essential listening for anyone who wants to wrest power back from devious corporations and end their longstanding consumer abuse.
Now this bestselling author has turned his attention to the sneaky stipulations hidden in the fine print of just about every contract and government rule. Johnston has been known to whip out a utility bill—any utility bill—and explain line by line what all that mumbo jumbo actually means (and it doesn't mean anything good, unless you happen to be the utility company). Within all that jargon, disclosed in accordance with all requirements to you, the unsuspecting customer, lie the tools many companies use to rob you blind. Even worse is what's missing—all the contractually binding clauses that companies hide elsewhere, yet still enforce.
The Fine Print is essential listening for anyone who wants to wrest power back from devious corporations and end their longstanding consumer abuse.
Copies
Location
Call Number
Status
East Lyme Public Adult Non-Fiction
364.168 Johnston
On Shelf
Orange/Case Adult Nonfiction Book
364.168 Johnston
On Shelf
More Details
Language:
English
ISBN:
9781591843580
Notes
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references and index.
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Citations
APA Citation (style guide)
Johnston, D. C. (2012). The fine print: how big companies use "plain English" to rob you blind. Portfolio/Penguin.
Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation (style guide)Johnston, David Cay, 1948-. 2012. The Fine Print: How Big Companies Use "plain English" to Rob You Blind. Portfolio/Penguin.
Chicago / Turabian - Humanities Citation (style guide)Johnston, David Cay, 1948-, The Fine Print: How Big Companies Use "plain English" to Rob You Blind. Portfolio/Penguin, 2012.
MLA Citation (style guide)Johnston, David Cay. The Fine Print: How Big Companies Use "plain English" to Rob You Blind. Portfolio/Penguin, 2012.
Note! Citation formats are based on standards as of July 2022. Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy.
Staff View
Grouped Work ID:
3a4d7d6f-43d3-bbe2-e2df-950b635b7fdb
Record Information
Last Sierra Extract Time | Jul 20, 2025 01:38:00 AM |
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Last File Modification Time | Jul 20, 2025 01:38:27 AM |
Last Grouped Work Modification Time | Jul 26, 2025 10:18:25 PM |
MARC Record
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100 | 1 | |a Johnston, David Cay, |d 1948- |0 http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n92031940 | |
245 | 1 | 4 | |a The fine print : |b how big companies use "plain English" to rob you blind / |c David Cay Johnston. |
264 | 1 | |a New York : |b Portfolio/Penguin, |c [2012] | |
264 | 4 | |c ©2012 | |
300 | |a x, 305 pages : |b illustrations ; |c 24 cm | ||
336 | |a text |b txt |2 rdacontent | ||
337 | |a unmediated |b n |2 rdamedia | ||
338 | |a volume |b nc |2 rdacarrier | ||
504 | |a Includes bibliographical references and index. | ||
505 | 0 | |a Author's note -- Billing -- Corporate power unlimited -- Buffet buys a railroad -- Railroaded -- In twenty-ninth place and fading fast -- Profits upkeep commission -- "We lead the industry with integrity" -- Paying other people's taxes -- Investors beware -- Playing with fire -- Draining pockets -- How we beat the garbage gougers and their stinking high prices -- Fee fatigue -- "We're going to take your house" -- Giving to Goldman -- Please die soon -- / your 201K -- Wimpy's tab -- Pfizer's bitter pill -- Hollywood robbery -- One silly software -- Two pilfering your paycheck -- Three of commas and character -- Four what it all means -- Five solutions -- Acknowledgments -- Notes -- Index. | |
650 | 0 | |a Invoices. |0 http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85067761 | |
650 | 0 | |a Corporations |x Corrupt practices. |0 http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85032937 | |
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