Here is an award someone emailed to us: https://levelplayingfield.io/case/56038
Readit Newsdempsey commented on Show HN: Open-source database and summary data of forced arbitration cases levelplayingfield.io/... · Posted by u/dempsey
Hey All,
https://github.com/LevelPlayingField
We've built an open source database of consumer and employee arbitration cases. We've also generated summary data pages for each party (defendants, attorneys, arbitrators, etc.). We used Discourse to make a forum that links to each case and allows people to discuss them or tell their story.
A problem we saw while dealing with a personal arbitration was that this data was out there but nobody was making it usable for regular folks. Also, some forums where people were helping each other disappeared, including all of that useful history (FatWallet comes to mind). So we did both.
One of the coolest things you can do is research a company you’re considering filing against or look up the decision history of arbitrators. From there you can find and reach out to attorneys that have gone up against them or similar companies. You can filter by state - though last we checked, arbitration doesn’t require an attorney be licensed in your state.
Here are some example queries (you can also sort some columns): Here is a query of parties showing who has the highest case count: https://levelplayingfield.io/search?q=is%3Aparty%20&sortBy=c... Law Firm - Keller Leckner: https://levelplayingfield.io/party/law-firm-keller-lenkner-l... Party search term “University”: https://levelplayingfield.io/search?q=is%3Aparty%20Universit... Party search term “Amazon”: https://levelplayingfield.io/search?q=is%3Aparty%20amazon&so...
Here are all of the ways you can filter the data: https://levelplayingfield.io/search-help. We’ve used this as an excuse to experiment with different technologies. Our search syntax emulated Github but may be too difficult for the general public.
Lots of people use the database every day. Our hosting is donated. We’ve been cited in prestigious law journal articles, major news articles, and are reference material at the Yale Law Library =)
There are a lot of interesting untold stories in this data. When we have time or volunteers, we tell stories on our blog (no time or volunteers lately). If you just browse, search words and sort party data by count, you’ll find interesting things… Try it.
The data only becomes available after a case is over. So pending cases do not show up but we invite those with active arbitrations to tell their stories in our forum. Consumer arbitrations are rarely confidential but employment arbitrations usually are. Sharing stories helps the next person, even if it’s five years later. People message us regularly with awesome stories.
We can imagine lots of improvements but lack time. Want to play with new technology in a way that might help people? Make a PR or send us an email. We may be slow to respond but we will get back to you. Promise.
Our real life is https://coManage.com. It’s similar but instead of leveraging idle legal data to help people, we leverage idle property management data to help people. Anyways, that’s another story.
Thanks, Dan & Frank
This is where fintech has been headed for some time -- a bundle of complimentary products all in a single app (payment provider + bank + loan company + crypto + etc.).
Square are demonstrating this here for business, some Chinese finance apps went down this road years ago, Revolut are billing themselves as a "financial super app".
There's tremendous advantage in having everything in one place. Each individual product can be 70% as good as best in market, but the value-add by having everything bundled in one place is huge.
The lending piece is very similar to what Shopify has been doing in ecommerce.
The same company that provided the lockboxes from the original article has smart locks that use the same rotating one time code mechanism - and the locks don't require internet connectivity. A huge plus!
https://www.igloohome.co/en-us/
I have had zero interest in using other smart locks - especially ones that require network connectivity of any sort, but this might be one that would be worth considering.
This is interesting. Thx. The problem we've always had with smart locks at scale is connectivity headaches, which require a technical person as advanced or more than a locksmith.
I'm not going to try to convince you that key-exchanges are bad for short-lived visits (whether electronic lockboxes or not). We just know from experience doing millions of these for a large company that this is very problematic at times and you're better off with a remote controlled solutions that doesn't involve anyone having any physical key.
I'm not arguing with you. I'm referring to long-term rentals. Your initial post doesn't make such a distinction.
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oh right! Yeah it's pretty neat actually (for anyone interested[1]). Unfortunately, it does require physical presence/labor (i.e. $$$) by whoever has the master reset tool. For Airbnb's or even self-tours, that's kind of a non-starter.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5MQz3JjZl8&ab_channel=Kwiks...
When you perform a move out or move in inspection, you change the key. It's super easy. The reset tool can fit in your wallet or glove compartment. It's a big change versus having to change the cylinder as in the past. Having to manage a load of electronic locks is likely more costly. Again, this is long-term rentals not short-term.
As for self-tours, they make electronic lockboxes. They've been around forever and used by every MLS.
We started Seam (YC S20) a year ago to take on the problem of programmatic access to physical spaces (apartments, single-family homes, commercial buildings...etc).
Basically one API that can open any door (smart locks, elevators, commercial buildings...etc). We're still in private beta but feel free to reach out if you're struggling with programmatic access.
tbh, it's baffling that in 2021, this problem is still so difficult to solve. As a last point, we generally recommend against key-exhange solutions. From our experience at Sonder, people forget to return the keys and it creates a lot logistical headaches. You then have to re-key the doors...etc.
I know very large REITs that use Kwikset Smart Keys. They have a dozen keys and just reset to a different of the dozen after every move out. Tens of thousands of homes and never had a problem. It’s security through obscurity. Plus locks are easy to break/bypass for someone that’s motivated to do so. It’s the casual crime of opportunity that you can guard against.