Many companies tack on so-called "fees" to their bills instead of including those costs in their standard rates, to make their rates appear lower than they actually are:
- Comcast charges a $5 "Broadcast TV Fee" and a $3 "Regional Sports Fee"
- Cell phone providers charge "Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery" fees: self-imposed fees for seemingly standard operations/costs of doing business
- My country club charges all members a "capital improvement" fee (with no end date) for club maintenance
- Shippers have "fuel surcharge" fees
"Fees" should be for optional services (ex: airline "ticket change" fees). Fees shouldn't be applied for fulfilling a business' standard operational costs of business. Such costs should be included in their service plans/rates. Let's end these misleading fees.