Freebies No More

Back in the day (I'm not sure exactly when that was), but I'm talking about 20+ years ago, things we pay for today were free. The list from free to fee is long, and it starts with something I know well, the travel industry. I've been in the business since 1989, so I've seen a lot of changes. When I began in the industry, a travel agent's services were free. We were paid by the vendors: airlines, hotels, car companies and tour operators. Today, airlines do not generally pay commision to agents and hotels and car companies pay very little to agents. Travel agents do receive commision from many tour operators and cruise companies. Many consumers pay travel fees to their travel agent, either outright as a consultant fee, or built in fees for a big vacation. In addition, the airlines, that used be very customer service oriented, now charge for everything, and often treat you with less than the respect you deserve. Luggage, meals and seat assignments are just some of the things airlines are now charging for. When you check the cost of air travel, you must consider all these factors to know the true cost of your airline ticket.

Another area of service that used to be free, but now charges a fee, is banking. Banks actually used to want to keep your money for you, and for that service, they would pay YOU a nice rate of interest. Today, you might as well keep your money under the mattress or under an old tree in the yard. Interest rates are pathetic, and in addition, banks now charge for checks, withdrawing money from ATM's, check writing, and on and on. With all these fees it's no wonder the financial businesses are so profitable.

Directory assistance used to be a free service. Today, you pay for this service too.

Gas station service is also now only available for a fee. Many years ago, not only would a nice young man pump your gas, but he'd check the air pressure in your tires, clean your windows and check your battery, all with a smile. As if gas prices weren't high enough, you now have to do all this yourself. In their defense, gas stations will help disabled persons pump their gas.

Water. I never thought I'd see the day where we had to pay for water. Well, we really don't have to pay for water. You can still drink the tap water if you want, but how did water become a multi billion business? I'm part of the reason, I guess, as I love buying the flavored bottled waters. I know this is ridiculous, as it's wasteful (plastic bottles) and what's wrong with plain old water? A whole aisle in the supermarket of water. I never could have predicted this.

So when you look at your monthly bills now, compared to 20+ years ago, you will notice a number of charges that never existed then. Cable TV, satellite radio, banking charges, bottled water, and of course higher gas prices and higher airline costs. Who's next to charge a fee? We'll have to wait and see.