confusopoly
noun/kənˌfjuːˈzɒpəli/
Etymology From confuse + -opoly, coined by Scott Adams in The Dilbert Future.
1
Economics, Sciences An economic condition whereby the market force of competition is evaded via intentional obfuscation.
- Be aware that BT have just cut some prices, *and* introduced a new tariff that you can buy your way onto. Beware however that it's an even bigger confusopoly than it was before.1999, David Marshall, “ADSL for 200 quid a month?”, in alt.dur.general (Usenet):
- Instead of the power of monopoly, consumers lose to the power of confusopoly.2001, Herbert Jack Rotfeld, Adventures in Misplaced Marketing:
1 more example
- One of the main reasons to have competition is that it leads to lower prices. So now we have a confusopoly where innumerable providers are all offering us special deals but actual prices are being kept artificially high.2003, Stevie D, “Regulating privatised companies (rail versus telecom, water, electricity, gas)”, in uk.railway (Usenet):