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The US love hidden fees. After being charged an “Urban” and “Resort” fee that was not advertised I learned that there seems to be neither regulation nor interes

The US love hidden fees. After being charged an “Urban” and “Resort” fee that was not advertised I learned that there seems to be neither regulation nor interest in requiring a customer to be presented with the final price on advertisements. It’s bizarre.

lotsofpulp 7y ago
If the final price was different that a written quote I was provided before (such as an email confirmation), I would dispute it with credit card. However, I’ve always seen all the fees listed in email confirmations along with a final total price.
- the_mitsuhiko 7y ago
  The email price had a disclaimer about extra fees being charged on checkout. So that does not help. The resort fee i had to pay was for a gym in the hotel I did not use and probably could have negotiated, the urban fee was for the “SF urban experience” which I can only assume is non negotiable given the location of the hotel. You can’t dispute partial fees either and no bank lets you dispute a charge that is on your bill as far as I’m aware.
  - GaryNumanVevo 7y ago
    "SF urban experience" charge now I've heard it all
  - lotsofpulp 7y ago
    The way a credit (or debit) card works in the US, is that the onus is on the merchant to prove the transaction was legitimate. This includes notifying you what the total price is and you accepting that. No bank in my experience (as a merchant or customer) would stand behind undisclosed or unspecified charges.
    - the_mitsuhiko 7y ago
      My point is that they can easily proven that.
      - lotsofpulp 7y ago
        I assumed you meant the email said “extra fees”, but did not specify how much. If the email didn’t explicitly state how much you will pay, or a formula to figure out how much, then I believe the banks would side with you.
time0ut 7y ago
Sadly, our government works for the corporations as much or more than the citizens. It takes constant vigilance and due diligence to stay on top of it as a consumer. Most people probably just don't notice, allowing the problem to continue.
eitland 7y ago
Here in Europe I'm mostly aware of rental car companies doing those kinds of things (there's always some extra insurance to be paid on top of the higher price that was supposed to also include reasonable insurance.)
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]

lotsofpulp 7y ago

If the final price was different that a written quote I was provided before (such as an email confirmation), I would dispute it with credit card. However, I’ve always seen all the fees listed in email confirmations along with a final total price.

the_mitsuhiko 7y ago
The email price had a disclaimer about extra fees being charged on checkout. So that does not help. The resort fee i had to pay was for a gym in the hotel I did not use and probably could have negotiated, the urban fee was for the “SF urban experience” which I can only assume is non negotiable given the location of the hotel. You can’t dispute partial fees either and no bank lets you dispute a charge that is on your bill as far as I’m aware.
- GaryNumanVevo 7y ago
  "SF urban experience" charge now I've heard it all
- lotsofpulp 7y ago
  The way a credit (or debit) card works in the US, is that the onus is on the merchant to prove the transaction was legitimate. This includes notifying you what the total price is and you accepting that. No bank in my experience (as a merchant or customer) would stand behind undisclosed or unspecified charges.
  - the_mitsuhiko 7y ago
    My point is that they can easily proven that.
    - lotsofpulp 7y ago
      I assumed you meant the email said “extra fees”, but did not specify how much. If the email didn’t explicitly state how much you will pay, or a formula to figure out how much, then I believe the banks would side with you.

time0ut 7y ago

Sadly, our government works for the corporations as much or more than the citizens. It takes constant vigilance and due diligence to stay on top of it as a consumer. Most people probably just don't notice, allowing the problem to continue.

eitland 7y ago

Here in Europe I'm mostly aware of rental car companies doing those kinds of things (there's always some extra insurance to be paid on top of the higher price that was supposed to also include reasonable insurance.)

deleted 7y ago
[deleted]