←back to thread

Boeing overcharged the U.S. Air Force 8,000% above market for soap dispensers

(www.reuters.com)
152 points lr0 | 4 comments | 21 Nov 24 04:19 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source
Show context
oivey ◴[21 Nov 24 08:00 UTC] No.42202104[source]▶
It is strange how much apologia there is for Boeing in this thread. Why does it have to be somehow the government’s fault or somehow reflective of the actual cost to make the dispensers? Why should Boeing get the benefit of the doubt, especially given their complete failures on their fixed price contracts (Starliner, Air Force One, KC-46 tanker)? They’re so unable to control costs they’re talking about never taking fixed price contracts ever again. Given those failures, it seems safe to assume they’re screwing taxpayers on their cost plus contracts.
replies(6): >>42202119 #>>42202209 #>>42202477 #>>42202746 #>>42203237 #>>42203437 #
pydry ◴[21 Nov 24 08:21 UTC] No.42202209[source]▶
It's strange how much some people are assuming this is as a result of a mistake or incompetence instead of simple corruption.

"Whoops I made $600 from something that cost me $10"

replies(2): >>42202232 #>>42202415 #
1. oivey ◴[21 Nov 24 08:25 UTC] No.42202232[source]▶
True. That’s really a bridge too far for people who believe a Boeing executive who says tactical soap dispensers really do cost $700.
replies(2): >>42202340 #>>42203344 #
2. SlightlyLeftPad ◴[21 Nov 24 08:45 UTC] No.42202340[source]▶
The international man of mystery would like a word. Those tactical soap dispensers can be a great defense against tactical shoes. Can’t put a price on that.
3. hulitu ◴[21 Nov 24 11:45 UTC] No.42203344[source]▶
In the same country where Pentagon paid 10$ for a paperclip. (cannot find a source right now, ddg and startpage are both braindead when it comes to searching)
replies(1): >>42204604 #
4. pydry ◴[21 Nov 24 14:27 UTC] No.42204604[source]▶
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-07-30-vw-18804-...

It was screws, maybe? According to the U.S. attorney, the company “grossly inflated prices intentionally”, although according to mschuster91 people just don't understand the level of paperwork needed to create these $37 screws and $600 toilet seats.