Junk Fees & Hidden Charges

"Why does my $40 ticket cost $73 at checkout?"

in plain english

Federal rules now require sellers to show the real total price up front.

Hidden fees used to be a Wild West — service fees, processing fees, resort fees, 'convenience' fees — invented at checkout. The FTC's Junk Fees rule changed that: sellers have to display the total amount you'll actually pay, prominently, before you commit.

The rule pairs with older consumer protection law that bans deceptive pricing across industries. State commercial codes (the UCC) determine what counts as the real 'price' of a contract — important when a seller tries to add fees after you've already agreed.

in the margin

Mandatory fee: Any fee you can't avoid to complete the purchase.
APR: Annual Percentage Rate — the true yearly cost of borrowing.

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FTC16 CFR Part 464

Junk Fees Rule

Total price must appear up front, in the same size as other prices.

Source: Federal Trade Commission

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