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Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,300
Registered: ‎05-09-2010

Re: Businesses adding hidden charges

UPS Freight charges our business a $50 "Trade Show Fee" even if our products are not delivered to the trade show site.  They are delivered to an advance warehouse.  I can understand if they have to deliver to a convention site where there could be a wait time to deliver, but not at a warehouse.  We complained and were told "too bad".  They waived it for the first invoice, but not since then.  Total rip off.

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. Margaret Mead
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,475
Registered: ‎03-14-2015

Re: Businesses adding hidden charges

It has long been known, known for YEARS that the food and drinks in the hotel room fridge is extremely expensive.

 

 

I don't know why that comes as a shock to anybody.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,458
Registered: ‎06-10-2015

Re: Businesses adding hidden charges


@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.


That's not a "courtesy charge," it's a "robbery charge." A courtesy would be doing it for free.

 

What surprises me is we're on page 2 of this thread, and no one's mentioned the surcharges being slapped on medical bills, things like "facility fees" and the like. It's like buying a dress at Macy's and in addition to the price on the tag, you're facing a rent fee for the time it spent on the hanger, a pro-rata fee for the employees who prepped and hung it, a try-on room fee whether you used it or not, and another fee for the time the cashier spends ringing it up. It's nuts.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,776
Registered: ‎07-09-2011

Re: Businesses adding hidden charges


@Plaid Pants2 wrote:

It has long been known, known for YEARS that the food and drinks in the hotel room fridge is extremely expensive.

 

 

I don't know why that comes as a shock to anybody.


@Plaid Pants2

 

Yes, I think we all know the cost of snacks & drink in the mini-bars are outrageous.  However, it used to be possible to make a little space in the mini-bar for your own water bottle (just for example) purchased for much less elsewhere.  Now some hotels are charging for the items you move as though you consumed them.  This happened to me recently.  Smiley Frustrated

 

I believe this is what the poster was referencing.

 

Wow, re: your principle!  I might have run from the room.

"Animals are not my whole world, but they have made my world whole" ~ Roger Caras
Honored Contributor
Posts: 36,633
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

Re: Businesses adding hidden charges


@Plaid Pants2 wrote:

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.


@Plaid Pants2

 

ITA when I look at my cable bill I get mad.........$44 in fees/surcharge/taxes---Ridiculous!!!

 

Franchise Fee , Sales Tax, FCC User Fee, Municipal PEG Access Fee, Broadcast TV Surcharge, Entertainment TV Surcharge

 

Yes, there are other options....but then you end up paying for an antenna to get local channels, and pay the fees for other options--Netflix, Hulu, or Sling TV.....and I refuse to go to Direct TV they are always threatening to remove channels so you have to go through a letter writing campaign etc!!!  So they get you one way or another!!!

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”
Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,917
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Businesses adding hidden charges

A couple that I know went to a nice restaurant in Seattle and had dinner..the bill was 100.00 plus a 20.00 service fee t cover staff wage increases.She said they didn't tip after that.They had only ordered two appetizers,wine and dessert.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,877
Registered: ‎03-15-2010

Re: Businesses adding hidden charges

Our landscaper charged a deleivery fee for our mulch then an extra fee for "gas surcharge". I asked what it was and he said "it was for when gas was over $4 a gallon". Well it's not anymore and your facility is local and you already charged a delivery fee. Sheesh!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,344
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Businesses adding hidden charges


@Silver Lining wrote:

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.  


When I read the original post this morning, I wondered to myself when will businesses start charging for sending a paper bill.  I guess I have my answer!

I pay all the bills on-line through the bank service but continue to receive paper bills - just in case something happens - at least my husband would be able to write a check to pay them and still have heat, light, utilities.

I know I should sit with him and make him do it but he's a guy and doesn't listen, so by next month, it would be gone from his head.

He doesn't pay much attention to finances and investments.

Valued Contributor
Posts: 571
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Re: Businesses adding hidden charges

We pay for our garbage to be picked up. It's billed quarterly. There's always a fuel surcharge on there, even when fuel prices are lower. Then for whatever reason we missed the last billing cycle and paid late. Next billing cycle, they charged us $45.00 to 'reinstate'.  What!  They drive by our house every Monday.  DH called and threatened to change so they waived it.  

 

Also the delivery fees on our electric and natural gas is more than useage.  

 

Everyone wants a piece of us.

Helen852
Super Contributor
Posts: 282
Registered: ‎07-26-2013

Re: Businesses adding hidden charges


@susan kay wrote:

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.


 

Yes! @susan kay!

 

This is small amount but I was surprised when I used my credit card on eBay I was charged $1 xtra for that.