Michael Koblic wrote:
I came across two interesting situations recently and I wonder how common
they are in general:

1) After walking into my local Fastenal and completing a small purchase I
noticed that the total was in excess of what I would expect the sum of the
components plus taxes to be. A close inspection of the bill showed that I
had been charged additional 15% for "shipping and handling". When I queried
this I was told that this is "fuel surcharge". Thus the cost of each item
went up by 15% without it being shown anywhere in the shop.

2) Honda car service. One of the simple ones, change oil and check tires.
Again the total was higher than the advertised and agreed to price. This
time I found an item "consumables" amounting to about 10% of the price. On
querying this I was shown a small print item on the service contract. Not
that anyone pointed this out before signing.

I understand that we all have to make a living, cost of fuel is going up
etc. etc. I just find it kind of objectionable bordering on dishonest how
these price increases are hidden. They get away with it by making the extra
charge small so that most busy people either will not notice or simply will
not bother.

Is this a common practice elsewhere?

Were you in the US I'd advise you to contact your state's attorney
general, or your district attorney's office.

I don't know who would be responsible for that sort of stuff in Canada,
if it's illegal, or if the folks responsible for enforcing that law care.

Besides, I'd be stymied by trying to figure out if I needed a solicitor
or a barrister.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

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"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it says.
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