Businesses adding hidden charges

granddi · ‎03-16-2010

Hoave you noticed recently how businesses add on fees that were not disclosed at the beginning of your transaction?

The most recent was an out of warranty routine auto maintenance. We were quoted a price for some brake fluid and when we picked up the car there was a $25.00 courtesty charge. "What is this?" Oh, we charge this to all customers. That way when we check out your car and it need a little fluids like washer fluid or air in your tires, it is all covered!

We are all aware of the airline fees.

Hotels are just as bad as airline for hidden fees. You check on line for the price of the room and say it is $150.00. They should be required to tell you up front the state and local taxes and any parking fees. Many Las Vegas hotel charge a resort fee of anywhere from $25 up for each day. These supposedly cover pool, fittness,etc even if you do not use. These fees are not disclosed when you make reservations. We stay at several hotels (not resorts) that charge $15/night for parking--not valet-self park.

My soft water service delivery now adds fuel charge to my monthly bill. I know the owner and told him "just raise your rates" He did not have a good answer.

SaRina · ‎04-17-2015

No, I haven't personally encountered this. I guess if one has this knowledge beforehand, one could always ask the business or vendor if there will be any additional charges (other than what has been quoted).

2blonde · ‎03-10-2010

That's a new one on me. $25 just to check the fluids and air pressure? What if you've already topped the fluids and filled the tires yourself (I do)? The place I go to (a privately owned business) just charges slightly more than that for an oil change which includes all those "checks."

Laura loves cats!

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

@granddi....wow! I would not have paid the 'extra' amount.

NicksmomESQ · ‎08-19-2014

My auto mechanic automatically tops off fluids & adds air to the tires at no charge whenever we go in for service.

Whenever I book a hotel I always ask what if any additional charges there are.A few years ago I booked a hotel through my travel agent for a week at a Paradise Island resort.A few days later I called her back to remind her to email me the detailed invoice & itinerary.When I reviewed it I was shocked.The resort charged $50 per day extra on top of taxes & fees.They called it a "deposit".It would be refunded 10 days after checking out if no damage was done to the room!! I immediately called my travel agent & cancelled the trip.She said she didn't realize the charge!!

She is no longer my travel agent.

Plaid Pants2 · ‎03-14-2015

Whenever I have made online reservations for a hotel, just before I make that final click to confirm, I am ALWAYS shown a page that has the price per night PLUS the city/atate tax, PLUS all of the other taxes.

Want to get upset about something, how about all of those hidden extra charges on utility bills, huh?

Now THERE'S something to get upset about.

Tribesters · ‎03-10-2010

@granddi

I think there should be a law that ALL prices are included. Skip all the surcharges & extra fees. The Vegas resort fees are getting even more ridiculous than usual. Some are even $40 per day + tax. And if you read the fine print it includes wifi for 1 device. So if you need wifi for more devices you have to pay an extra daily rate. Most of the casino hotels charge for parking now too. They don't even have coffee makers in the rooms anymore. And for goodness sakes don't open or remove anything from the fridge in the room. They charge you for that too! Even if you don't drink or eat it. If the barcode comes out of the fridge you just bought it.

I just had my car serviced. They asked if I wanted the fluid checks, etc.. She said it was free so why not? But I would have complained if they charged me $25 for that. Especially since I'd just filled up my windshield washer fluid myself. You should complain to your state attorney general's offfice about the undisclosed fee. You should have been asked if you wanted it.

susan kay · ‎06-28-2011

Have you seen that commercial where this man is trying to buy lemonade from a little girl who has a lemonade stand in her yard? She gives him an itemized list of all of the extra charges that are added on to his cup of lemonade. Speaks volumes.

Silver Lining · ‎04-16-2010

My cable company is constantly slipping in extra charges. They are usually between two and ten dollars each. I do most everything online but I do continue to get a paper statement monthly from them which is two dollars they started charging unannounced. I realize that some other places charge but they inform you in advance. I only want the cable bills on paper because it is easier for me to spot the extra costs they frequently add.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@granddi wrote:
Hoave you noticed recently how businesses add on fees that were not disclosed at the beginning of your transaction?

The most recent was an out of warranty routine auto maintenance. We were quoted a price for some brake fluid and when we picked up the car there was a $25.00 courtesty charge. "What is this?" Oh, we charge this to all customers. That way when we check out your car and it need a little fluids like washer fluid or air in your tires, it is all covered!

We are all aware of the airline fees.

Hotels are just as bad as airline for hidden fees. You check on line for the price of the room and say it is $150.00. They should be required to tell you up front the state and local taxes and any parking fees. Many Las Vegas hotel charge a resort fee of anywhere from $25 up for each day. These supposedly cover pool, fittness,etc even if you do not use. These fees are not disclosed when you make reservations. We stay at several hotels (not resorts) that charge $15/night for parking--not valet-self park.

My soft water service delivery now adds fuel charge to my monthly bill. I know the owner and told him "just raise your rates" He did not have a good answer.

@granddi

Very good points, but I don't anyone should be surprised that there are taxes added. You should expect that. (When are taxes NOT charged?)

Here's another .....

I recall years ago getting a tour of a gym I was considering joining and we were going over the costs. One charge was a "$35 application fee".

I questioned WHY they were charging people just to apply to join their gym. His response? No explanation or negotiation ..... just "Oh, I can waive that fee for you", and he crossed the charge off the application.

Clearly this was just a way to pad the bill ..... or to give the impression that the applicant got a deal and paid less than other people who joined. What a rip-off! I didn't join. I felt it was a bad business practice and didn't want to give them my money.