Monthly Archives: April 2009

The Associated Press gets a bit, well, blog-like in an article detailing 20 recurring fees that seem like unavoidable annoyances, but can be worked around with planning and a strong dose of Won’t Stand For It.

Photo by Refracted Moments™.

The Associated Press explains the trickery that many firms have started foisting on consumers by including enough hidden surcharges, fees, and “penalties” that enough people will miss or not question, while simultaneously reducing services. It’s not a new phenomenon by any means, but seeing precisely how hotels, airlines, phone carriers, and other big money-shufflers are slipping your loose cash into their coffers is eye-opening.

Here’s a sampling of the 20 items the Associated Press suggests can be skipped, reclaimed, or otherwise avoided:

• From small home security firms and heating oil delivery services to major telecom providers, a growing number of companies are charging “manual billing” fees for sending paper bills and statements, sometimes up to $3.50 a month. Sign up for e-mail billing or check your statements online instead, and save up to $42 a year.
• Telephone companies often charge separately for services like voice mail, call waiting and caller ID, along with local and long distance calling. Some of these features may duplicate service you have on your cell phone. Compare both bills, and cut out services you don’t need.
• For years, savvy travelers have known using a credit card overseas could help save on exchange rates and fees. But credit card companies now typically add a foreign currency conversion charge of up to 3 percent. Lytle, of Frommers.com, said a strategy that will save on fees is to use a credit card only for large purchases, and use ATMs to withdraw cash infrequently for minor spending.

Give us some confidence in consumer action—tell us how you skipped out on a seeming unavoidable Catch 22 clause in the comments below.