All of us have a recollection of a great purchasing experience at a fair price. The internet along with societal attitudes have convinced us that a fair price isn't good enough. We want it wholesale! The truth is that you can't have it wholesale, unless of course you're a wholesaler. So what the majority of businesses have to do is decompose our products and services in order to lower the price we offer it to our customers. We can't compete with the low ball artist if our price appears to the prospect to be too high. Many customers will not take the time to discover the value difference.

Spirit Airlines may have taken this to a new level but I doubt it's the end of this model. Wait until they charge you to walk up the ramp to the plane and the bathroom costs HOW MUCH &*%#@!^*?

I can get you the Gotham discount

Great. I'll take it! Susan Zinder

This goes with my complaint about AT&T a few months ago. I have been a loyal customer of theirs through thick and thin. When my cell phone finally died not only did they charge over $200 for a new one, along with my monthly bill of over $100, but they also had the audacity to charge me an "upgrade fee" of only $35, as they put it. How is this an upgrade? If I bought a lesser grade phone I would still pay. And, if I didn't have a phone, I wouldn't incur their monthly charges. I find this completely outrageous. Whatever happened to truth in advertising? The whole price should be stated, including all possibilities so that the consumer could actually compare oranges to oranges!

Good post Mitch. I will stick with United, American/USAirways, and of course Hawaiian, thank you. Steven Campbell.

Verizon has nothing up on any of them. I am in the process of moving and it's a horror every time I call them. Second worst is Time Warner

I have not heard about Spirit Air - maybe this is why...

My brother used it one time and told us he would never use it again. I believe they also charge if you want to reserve a seat.

caveat emptor/ buyer beware

ah this reminds me of our only negative experience in Czech (returned last night). Wonderful country, beautiful cities, great people, and different ways of doing business: VAT is nearly always included, which is great; tip rarely.

My wife & I had 260 Ck crowns left at the airport; a perfect way to buy a quick sandwich before we board, spending away all the currency. According to the menu board at a quick shop, we had enough for a sandwich & a sparkling water. But the counter register came to 286. I said, "Oh? We should have enough according to the prices listed." ... She replied, "There's tip added." ... "Tip added? Well, then we can't afford the water; please cancel it." "Sorry, no cancel. You have to pay for both... put it on your credit card." "Sorry, this is all the money we have. Can you please cancel the water?" (whole point was to spend away the cash.) "Sorry, we cannot cancel the water." "What do you mean? just hit cancel on the register, and we can start over with just the sandwich." "This is a problem. We cannot cancel." ...pattern continued... "Well, then we can't pay for either, sorry..." Unfortunately, we had to walk out!

The way I figured it: She was going to cancel the order one way or another. We felt bad; we don't want to shoot the messenger or cheat a merchant. Moreover, we don't want to feel cheated - esp as the last experience on a vacation. ... We walked closer to our gate, and found another place: got a Pilsner & a pretzel, and had enough for a tip.

I wish there was an airline that made the entire plane "first class" and then priced the seats at approximately double the current "airbus" cost with everything included for people who wanted to bring back some luxury to the travel experience.

From a business standpoint, I personally hate to be "nickel and dimed" and prefer one price for the whole service. In my CPA firm, we offer fixed all inclusive pricing for tax preparation and the clients love it. No hourly rates = no billing surprises for them and they can budget for it. The clients who think I am too expensive and prefer a lower cost alternative get what they deserve - a larger tax bill !