Junk fees are hidden and unexpected charges that are often not included in the initial or listed price of a transaction but are added on at the time of the payment. Airlines, hotels, concert ticket providers and banks often add them onto the cost of a service or good after the consumer has seen the original price. Proponents of the rule argue that getting rid of these fees will make prices more transparent for consumers and save them money. Opponents argue that private businesses would simply raise prices in response to the regulations and there isn’t a guarantee that flying or staying in a hotel would be any less expensive.
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
No
@9FNV7PV7mos7MO
I should pay what I agreed to pay, no added charges. I will add a 1,000% surcharge to your groceries9
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
@9FDPB3L7mos7MO
Yes, and include taxes and other fees into the advertised price, and ban tipping as well.
@L1beralMackerelLibertarian7mos7MO
While I understand the appeal of your argument, I'm not sure it's as simple as that. Take tipping for example. In industries like hospitality, tips can make up a significant portion of a worker's income. Removing this could lead to financial hardship for many. I have a friend who works as a waiter and he often says that his tips make a big difference to his earnings.
Also, including taxes and fees in the advertised price might sound straightforward but it could actually lead to more confusion. Taxes vary from state to state, and sometimes even city to city. A business would… Read more
@9FDPB3L7mos7MO
"But I'm curious, how would you suggest businesses handle the lost revenue from banned surcharges without raising prices?"
By keeping prices the same as they are. The current price is the price the customer pays at the end of the day. By making that the advertised price, the revenue per purchase is completely unchanged. Additionally, studies have shown that hidden fees turn customers off and are ineffective. Therefore, sales should increase for compliant businesses as well. If anything gross revenue would increase due to increased sales.
As a libertarian, I understand that you… Read more
@L1beralMackerelLibertarian7mos7MO
You make an interesting point about the temporal inefficiency caused by the time spent dealing with hidden fees and tips. However, I would like to challenge your assumption that removing these would lead to a significant increase in productivity.
First, while the time spent on dealing with these fees and tips may seem large in aggregate, it's important to remember that it's spread out over a large number of people and transactions. In the grand scheme of things, the time each individual person spends dealing with these issues is relatively small. This time might be considered a… Read more
@9FDPB3L7mos7MO
"First, while the time spent on dealing with these fees and tips may seem large in aggregate, it's important to remember that it's spread out over a large number of people and transactions. In the grand scheme of things, the time each individual person spends dealing with these issues is relatively small. This time might be considered a minor inconvenience, but I question whether it really has a significant impact on overall productivity."
I am not concerned with "productivity" as an abstract concept. I am specifically interested in the production of happiness.… Read more
@9GZDTYYIndependent5mos5MO
No, the government should not regulate what private business charge their consumers and should focus more on preventing monopolies and cartels, but the government should place higher taxes on surcharges tacked onto purchases than regular sales to discourage them.
@9L3MGJ6 1mo1MO
No, but it should mandate greater transparency (e.g., banning the practice of not including surcharges in prices shown to potential buyers, or not showing customers the full price until checkout)
@9KHD9C82mos2MO
No. Keep gov't out of business. However, all costs should be included in the final price, nothing hidden. Eventually the market will decide and the business will either succeed or fail.
@9K9Z8HX2mos2MO
It would most likely not be cheaper, but we would know what we are paying up front. Transparency is only fair.
@9JYYZN8 2mos2MO
To be honest I'm not really sure, I can see both sides of this question and I don't really know which one to choose.
@9JPK8PT3mos3MO
No, the government should not regulate junk fees, but consumers should instead choose companies that do not use such methods.
@9HHS35T5mos5MO
Government should stay out of business. The free market system is self correcting and the bad apples will eventually be weeded out. The federal government doesn't have the man-power to regulate all aspects of our life.
@ChaseOliver 4mos4MO
As long as all surcharges and other pricing mechanisms are transparent, government should not regulate what private businesses can charge consumers. Customers may compare surcharges and decide where to spend their money.
@9HNPFFT4mos4MO
Some but not all, some are ridiculous and part of price gouging, other charges are fair for the business to charge.
@zackrspv 4mos4MO
Yes, but only up to a certain percentage. It's okay to have fees, if the fees make sense, and fall under the FTC and CFTC's purview.
@9H44T3W 5mos5MO
Yes because even if it doesn't change the price it will make people more knowledgeable about how much they are spending and the free market can properly run its course and prices will lower if needed due to the free market
@9GXR3Y95mos5MO
There should be regulations where the markets are extremely limited, such as concert tickets. Whereas banking is plentiful, competition will prevail.
@Yaunti2 7mos7MO
Yes, and abolish private business
@9FP6SKWIndependent7mos7MO
No, break up the monopoly that is ticketmaster
@9FPBZ5YPeace and Freedom7mos7MO
anything over $250 should be free of charged tax.
@9FKJMKW7mos7MO
I don't understand this one.
@9D57YLG9mos9MO
No, government shouldn't regulate private transactions. Should foster deregulation & competition to reduce fees, drive down cost of services.
@9D2855G9mos9MO
Yes -- all costs should be included in the final purchase price, INCLUDING the amount tacked on for taxes.
@7V8WHYYConstitution9mos9MO
No, the root cause is the credit card companies, the issue should be taken with them.
@9CMSB2PIndependent10mos10MO
All costs should be presented to the consumer in order for them to make a truly informed choice
@9CKYYDW10mos10MO
Yes, and there should be better anti-price-gouging laws in place that relate to a reasonable, non-excessive profit for these companies.
@9CJMBPK10mos10MO
@9CDBNXD10mos10MO
Should focus on banning monopolies. And many ticket sites are exactly that so…
@9BZLFV511mos11MO
Sales tax should already be included on the tag where it says the cost. Sales taxes could be lowered on certain things.
@6MJS5MKLibertarian1yr1Y
all costs for a service should be included in the final purchase price, & the government should focus more on preventing monopolies and cartels
@9BGGZ3PProgressive1yr1Y
I don't have enough knowledge on this.
No, but travel in the United States should not have taxation.
@9B6T6TW1yr1Y
Yes - AND the government should work on preventing and breaking up monopolies like Ticketmaster-Live Nation
@99WKQKQ1yr1Y
no opinion of the matter
@99W7QB61yr1Y
No, instead of banning surcharges, companies should be made to be transparent and upfront about them.
NO, taxes should not be hidden as surcharges. It is politically dishonest and harmful to consumers.
No, as long as the costs are clearly communicated before purchases, but should still be included in the final purchase price.
Yes, and add severe penalties for companies that continue the practice. Also monopolies should be broken up with remaining companies heavily regulated.
Yes, but only for food and beverages.
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