'Drip Pricing' Is Turning Checkout Into a Nasty Surprise
Companies are getting creative in passing along rising costs to consumers — and making it harder to comparison shop — by tacking on fees and surcharges at the last minute.
You can still just say ‘no.’
Photographer: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
As if inflation isn't bad enough, consumers are getting slammed by drip pricing, the sneaky extra fees that get tacked on right before a purchase is closed.
You've no doubt become familiar with the drill: Airlines, hotels, concert ticket sellers, telecom companies and others will advertise a lower price, but then reveal additional, mandatory charges often after buyers are invested and about to click the “purchase now” button. It's an unfair practice, but unfortunately nothing new. And it's becoming even more rampant as companies look for quieter, less visible ways to pass on higher costs to consumers.