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TomCopeland 01:23 PM 06-03-2010
Originally Posted by professionalmom:
First, if anyone tells you that something is legal or illegal, always ask them to show you the law regarding that. Second, Mr. Copeland is full of it on this issue, especially in Michigan. I live in Michigan, too. I called DHS to inquire about the rates in my area to ensure that I was charging a fair rate. They sent me a list of the daycares in my zip code and what their rates were. The rates were even broken down by age group, PT/FT, etc. So, I know it is NOT illegal in MI to inquire about the rates of other daycares.

Plus, if it's price fixing, what about gas stations posting their prices on those great big signs? What about stores like Wal-Mart that scope out the prices of other stores to try to offer the most competetive prices? It's part of doing business in any industry. It's only price fixing if all the providers in your area got together and said, "hey, we want to charge $200 a week for all full-time kids, so let's all raise our rates together. Then the parents won't have a choice."

I charge $130 for FT (35-50 hours) and $3.50 an hour for part time. But I am rethinking this to account for longer days, second shifts, etc.
Tom Copeland here - Federal anti-trust laws (for more info: www.justice.gov/atr/public/div_stats/1638.htm) say that it's illegal for competitors to discuss rates. When your state DHS office passes out information on rates this is not price fixing because DHS is not a competitor and they are passing out information that is available to the public. In the same way gas stations or any other business can advertise their rates to the public. But two competitors cannot sit down in a private room and tell each other what they charge or what they plan to charge for their product.
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