How to Avoid Hidden Fees! 

Hidden extra closing cost fees are a literal nightmare, set me back $5k more than expected

im definitely a person who cares what the price is upfront

Biggest personal success was calling out a car seller for charging me a $500 registration fee when I had made it really clear I was doing it myself (different state). It was an easy win on an honest mistake, but it did get me in the habit of pausing to look at the fees on big purchases.

Psychiatrist: Mustache-less Philip isn’t real. He can’t hurt you. Philip:

I’m always compelled by the advertising that says no hidden fees! Even if their total prices are a little higher, not having to deal with all of that makes it worth it. Plus those are the type of people I develop a better business relationship with because I actually trust them. Also if before any purchase you put it out there that if there’s any hidden fees, they’ll lose your business, then you’d be surprised what they then disclose

The whole US is a pile of hidden fees. I am Italian and the only time I came to the US and shopped for some sweets at a grocery store, the total was much higher than the price written on the items because stores write the prices "before tax". What's wrong with saying an item costs 6USD instead of 5.75USD plus tax? I don't want to know how much is the tax, it makes me angrier to pay it when I know how high it is.

Another tip is to try to get the service/product online instead of in-person. When you sign up for phone service or buy a car in-person, everything is done so fast. You only get to glance at the documents and end up signing whatever cuz you're pressured to hurry and not spend 30 minutes reading 10 pages of ToS. When you get the invoice, the fees are usually a small part of the docs and for some services, you kinda don't even know the fees until the next month's bill comes. When you do it online, you have more time to review everything and a lot of the time, they have a disclaimer at the bottom that tells you what the fees are and sometimes waive it too for new customers.

96% of usa citizens would enjoy European style consumer protection.

I'm a person who's honest, so I like to know my total but the hidden fees work because after we spent 5-10 minutes researching deals, another 5 minutes entering our CC numbers, we just want to finalize the purchase

Call people? Like on the phone? Man just give me the bill

"Scamming customers works, therefore they have to do it!" 🤮

Philip, my man, without the moustache...you are not the same man, bro 😂

Bring back the 'stache 😂

You're not broke, if you don't check your bank account.

I find that preventive measures are always more efficient and effective than after-the-fact. You can ask for an itemised list of charges before signing anything - especially big ticket items or if the price doesn't match your expectation. Ask questions if you don't feel comfortable. It is always worth spending that 5-10minutes upfront. If you feel pressured to commit, just remind yourself that the salesperson are NOT acting in your interest. You can always walk away. If you are worried about hidden fees, chances are that you are not buying something boutique, and there is always another retailer or another salesperson that is friendlier.

2:15 One thing this study didn’t look at: repeat customers. Who was more likely to come back?

There should be a company that reads all the terms and conditions of every service company - but the irony would be that itself charges hidden fees lol.

I always felt conned in the states with the sales tax. In Europe it has to be included in the advertised price so what you see is what you pay.

You forgot the fast food chain asking customers for a drink and never mention additional price. I've been a victim of this when I was young and now everytime they asks me for extras, I always ask if there are additional costs.

I kinda expected "And that's our two cents. And no convenience fee" at the end tbh :D

I've always felt like tips are a hidden fee why can't restaurants and Is taxi's include the 20% With the actual price Make companies actually pay their employees Like I mean fast food restaurants don't force you to tip I've always been confused About this I've watched your episode about why we do but still just included in the bill

I went to the US and had three sets of hidden fees: Tax (in Australia it’s included in shelf price) Conversion rate to AUD Credit card fee

I’ve seen people have success removing a bank fee before. Sometimes all you really have to do is just ask.

Seriously, I found out my auto insurance was charging me an extra $10 with auto pay. The work around is to pay early and technically "load" funds that get charged before the deadline, instead of charging my bank/credit card directly. I now have a calendar reminder 5 days before the pay date to log on and pay.

who's the new guy ? he is slightly more handsome than the mustache one

He shaved his mustache to reveal any possible hidden fees. The dedication!

Philip without the beard makes him look like a single batchelor in his early 20s! He looks so different I thought they brought on a new host🤣 Great vid by the way!

BRING BACK THE MUSTACHE!!

This just doesn't seem right with the third member of Two Cents missing ....Philip's mustache.

still no mustache :(

In Arizona your hidden fees are even in your rent. We pay taxes on everything the landlord provides us.

They do it, because they know most customers are agreeable, and don't want to make a fuss,if the transaction is in person.

Where's the mustache? It feels weird without it.

That beginnings skit was a joke to you guys, but it's serious to me. I have a set budget for when I leave the house, I look at the prices of things online, I call around before I leave the house, so when I get places I know what to expect when I swipe my card. When I deal with a lot of hidden fees, it's encourages me on other days it's just stay home, and only leave the house to go to work. Have you ever been somewhere where they tell you a price of what it cost to do something, and then you wait for them to tell you the cost of everything else? I'll be waiting to pay and they will be like "Are you going to swipe your cars?" And I'll be there like "Wait, that's it? That's the actual price? You're not going to tell me there's a fee for doing this in person? There's no throwing away oil for me fee? There's no throwing away the tire fee? There's no fee for using card? That's it, that's the actually price?".

The other thing I hate even more is subscriptions. I bought a Dell computer a few months ago and as a punishment they stuck me with a support contract. Cancelling it was A PAIN! I never wanted it to begin with. I'll never buy a Dell again. My friend got his computer from SkyTech gaming. He got a little better deal and no contract. I have a new plan for next time.

This man shaved his mustache to show theres no hidden fees under it

I am amazed this practice is not illegal.

A lot of restaurants are charging service fees after you get your check too.

When buying a car you don't have to pay for VIN etching, Rusty Jones, Scotchguard, or any other crazy service even if they already did them and you didn't ask for them to be done. Just cross them out before you sign the contract.

Hidden fees may get them one sale but I wouldn't want to do business with them a second time. Businesses should really consider that. A service that can be trusted is often the one people are willing to spend more on, like a donation.

Love the new(ish) tattoos guys!

Love the animation; great job as always 😁

When it comes to hidden fees, the worst that I've experienced by far came from interstate movers.

I have been caught twice this year by scan's taking hidden fees from my account. Its terrifying.

Changed banks (checking acct, 1 debit card, short-term savings, 1 credit card) bc I asked for fee waivers (mainly for yearly card fees & most importantly money transfers). They said no. I didn’t have any cc debt or anything, so it took me 15 mins of research and another 15-20 mins to cancel & transfer everything. Plus 3 work days for my new debit & credit card to arrive. I believe it was worth it.

I hate the convenience fee or resort fees. They're getting the money so what's with the convenience? I also don't use any of the amenities at a hotel which is what they say is the resort part... in any event, shouldn't whatever comes with the hotel be included?

I hate hidden fees 😩 great video!

I've also just been assessed made-up fees by a bank that didn't show up anywhere in the paperwork.

Can you make a video walking us through what “writing a letter” would entail? As in, include: the mailing address, what should come inside the letter, & who to address.

I won't sign or pay without ready the fine print. I have walked away from buying things because of fees.

I'm so glad that this was covered! I hate hidden fees!!

Lmao, I thought she had changed partner already. First time I saw the guy without his moustache and I almost never recognize him.

And now i'm afraid of everything to be a "Subscription" or "Live service"

A hidden fee win I had was going in for my annual eye exam -- a small copay under my insurance -- and receiving a bill for $100+ a few months later! It turns out it was for some advanced eye photos (imaging) that weren't covered. I disputed, and after a few more months of advocating and reminding, I received a refund. Medical offices may try to convince you these additional, high-tech checks are needed, even if you're healthy ... that might be a topic for a future Two Cents episode. 🙂

The hidden fee starts here: 5:38

We need some updated photos on your intro.

Biggest hidden fear in US Taxes 9.99$ only! At the register, it is 12.45$

Cable bill used to have anywhere from 30 to 60 in additional fees until i cancelled the service.

That intro was hilarious

I get unreasonably excited whenever a new episode comes out😅 love this channel

The hidden fees I absolutely hat the most are "convenience fees" for buying something (usualy a theatre or concert ticket) through the internet. C'mon, the're saving money by not having to staff ticket booths at several places of the city and they still want to charge me for that???

Evil evil evil hidden fees! We need merch of them!!!

I think this is really helpful, but I don't understand why overdraft fees are included. My bank is very upfront about what I will be charged if I spend more than what I have in my account.

This is an issue in Europe as well, and it gets pretty annoying.

Why do you guys think about buying flood insurance in a area where flooding isn't likely?

It’s weird seeing Phillip without a mustache

I deal with this almost every month from my internet provider smh problem is it’s hard to get in contact with a real person and when you do, it’s a long process over the phone to get it waived

Wow, thats so wonderful, eye opener.... great & thank you... 😊

I love both of you! So funny especially the intro. As always very informative.

People: government, we need you to do something about hidden fees. Gov: (glances nervously at sales tax, gas tax, payroll tax, etc.) Uh, yeah. We’ll get on that right away.

The most ridiculous fee is "convinience fee", let me get this straight, you're charging ME money for saving YOU money & time doing the purchase online from my home myself? Are you serious?

I am surprised more companies don’t have a fee fee just because

I know this isn’t the video for it but it’s recent so I’m hoping you two see my question. *There are four economic sectors.* Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Quaternary. Is there a chart or website or channel, that breaks down WHAT time of year each sector is at its strongest? As well as a chart that shows historical data Year by year for each sector performance?

The mustache... it's gone... it got heavily taxed.

I have a suggestion for upcoming Two cents videos. Could you talk about the hidden costs buying a new Tv and the extra exuipments you need to run it?

even animation of hidden fees works :D So cute

I came here to learn how to invest after listening to a guy on radio talk about the importance of investing and how he made $960,000 in 4 months from $160k, somehow this video has helped shed light on some things, but I'm still confused, I'm a newbie and I'm open to ideas.

You guys are awesome I laugh and enjoy watching your videos and everything you say is so true. Keep it up 💯 💶

Is that why they don't include tax at the store?

Not really a hidden fee but dealership markups are the worst.

I called my bank and asked them to remove an overdraft fee. They did it.

Nooooooo!!! Dude's epic mustache is gone. 😭

Do a video on bank fees like Overdraft fees please 🥺❤️

Fees on the utility bills urk me the most. An extra $20 a month for nonsense.

You guys are awesome.

How is it that people will buy the product with cheaper price + More Fees instead of same total price. But when shopping online, they'll not buy the cheaper product + Shipping and opt for same total price zero shipping. :/

bring back the stache please

Great info!!

Who's the guy without the mustache?

Drip pricing

The stache is gone?!?

I spotted the tattoos

This is a bit off topic, but I heard from someone that you should occasionally (like once every few years) purposefully pay your credit card late??? Has anyone else heard about this? The argument was this: if you're always paying on time, the credit card companies will never make money on you, so therefore they don't actually like lending you money. But if you're late every once in a while, they will bump your score up since you're paying them more and they "like" you more. In a way, it makes sense, but at the same time is completely counter to literally every other piece of financial advice I've heard. Any thoughts on this?

Ayo, Julia got a tattoo!!!! Didn't notice, nice.

0:53 Wheelchair user! 🙂

Should have known J&J sponsors PBS

Ever since Phillip shaved his mustache, I feel more comfortable watching the show at work.

I notice something’s missing

now there is hidden mustache...

I truly love these two. They are so funny, so smart and so in love.