The Blessing of Transparency: 10 Companies that have 0 hidden fees

In my 23 years of life, there aren’t many things that I can declare are certain. But one thing I can ascertain is that there is a significant portion of the population that operates in a way to slowly get a little more than they deserve in regards to money. Now what people “deserve “ is an entirely different conversation that I don’t want to get into because who am I to make any such claim. But In my life anecdotes, that said population seems to try to get every dollar they can with no regard for their moral compass. It would appear to me that most do so by exhibiting the findings of Freedman/Fraser in 1966, the birth of labeling the “foot in the door “ technique. Which is defined as:

“a compliance tactic that assumes agreeing to a small request increases the likelihood of agreeing to a second, larger request. So, initially, you make a small request and once the person agrees to this they find it more difficult to refuse a bigger one”

This method can be presented in a plethora of ways. Such as capital letters on a sign that reads "FREE CAR WASH*", and underneath it in microscopic text "with a $50 purchase". There are many avenues to try to win the money game and squeeze every cent out of the consumer. Below are some examples where I have been fiscally humiliated.

I give my deepest condolences to those like me who don’t know a thing about cars. What mechanics have done to me is criminal, and there’s nothing I can do about it. A mechanic could spat complete nonsense, and how on earth could I refute it? What do I know? I thought I was getting a free car wash. I guess I could just educate myself on the anatomy of an automobile, but that's utterly ridiculous.

“ Hey buddy your rotator cuff is shot, I’m gonna have to replace 3-4 axolotl’s through the mainframe. Damage is about $1500”

Tradesmen are not the only perpetrators in the money game, subscriptions with no way out are truly despicable. Another round of condolences is in order for those who have been trapped in a gym membership. I understand the game they play, but that doesn’t mean I can’t stand it. I get that the vast majority of people that get a gym membership are going to burn out in a month tops. The New Year’s resolution crowd, the “yo I’m gonna like, totally get yolked this summer just wait for it bro”, the gotta get ripped before I dump my girlfriend people, the list is endless. Iv went to war plenty in my young adult life, where I have been cerebrally tested. In my academic career, I have undergone many hardships. I went man to man with the adolescent goliath that is high school AP classes, put on my lab coat for all the sciences in my undergrad, currently battling through grad school in a foreign country, but NONE of that compares to trying to cancel a gym membership.

“ Hey man sorry to see you go!, super easy canceling process my guy, the only thing you need to do is get here between 5-6 am on Wednesday before the winter solstice and talk to Terry, it should only take a few hours”

Finally, a moment of silence for those who get mauled by the convenience fees. I can’t even book a tee time online without getting charged a $5 convenience fee. I constantly find myself screaming- F O R W H A T- like a lunatic at computer screens or inanimate objects like an Atm. I’d also love to buy a ticket to a ball game without getting a $30 booking fee. Might as well just start lighting money on fire as tribute.

“sorry brotha cash only, there’s an atm outside, only a few extra bucks”

Staring into the belly of the corporate beast can be a daunting task for even the most veteran suits. Luckily for you, I have done my homework and my research is nothing short of thorough. The anatomical model of B.S fees has been eviscerated. The relationship between buyer and seller can be a subtlety complex one. I, by pure brilliance, have boiled it down to its essence. So fear not, the nightmare is over, not all heroes wear capes. Here are some of the brave few who stick it to the man. Here are 10 companies that play 0 games, have no fees, and conduct themselves in an honest matter.

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