It ought to work the same way at the other end of the scale, too. People ought to be reluctant to do business with those more powerful who can screw them over without consequences.

They don't seem to be IRL though. Especially construction subcontractors. They just bitch to me about it, and then go out and get ripped off again... 

 Yes, odd, isn't it?
People are often irrational economic actors. 

 Very true. Culture plays a role.

I've met a lot of small/medium businesspeople here who unironically brag about how much they're being overcharged, especially if its by a household name. They only keep quiet about how much they are also writing off as bad debts. 

Cringe AND stupid, but it appears to be stable for now...