I guess the thing that bugs me the most is paying for air at the service station. So I don't do it. I either go to the Hess, where the air is still free, or I run up the street and have my mechanic check the pressure and adjust as necessary. I'm one of the few that doesn't have an ATM card. I just go to the bank every once in awhile and get cash. Works for me...

 

When I moved (just a few houses down the street) back in 1985, I got charged a $100 hookup fee by my cable company even though no service call was required. The previous owner of the house had left the cable active and asked me to have it switched over to my name which I did by calling the cable company. I went round and round with the cable company, but they refused to waive the fee. So, when I moved again about a year later I took their converter box with me and refused to give it back. I got phone calls and letters demanding the box back which I answered with some very nasty missives of my own demanding my $100 back. This went on for a couple of years as I recall until the company finally gave up. I know that the box has been obsolete and useless for years, but I still have it packed away in the garage some place.

Dean

 

I noticed a couple of years ago that shopping bags aren't free in some stores anymore. They'll charge you a quarter or so for the nice, large bags with handles.

 

I wound up buying an air compressor package deal for $299 at Home Depot this summer for that exact reason. It included a finish nailer and a brad nailer which have already paid for themselves in time, fingers and frustration saved.

It's a pancake tank style and sits neatly in a corner of the garage. I can now check tire pressures weekly, especially with temps changing like they are in Fall & Spring.

 

I love the self-servce check-outs! A BIG from me. Matt, to answer your question, it's all about value. People like Ohio Racer and me value the time savings of self-service check out. I don't think many people would value stocking there own shelves, unloading trucks etc. So I would think it would end before it got there. I think it's great that we have the option to choose (unlike most gas stations).

To me, this is a great example of the free (no pun intended ) market. Retailers were being responsive to an opportunity that benefits customers (at least some), shareholders, and makes them more competitive in the marketplace.

Given the price people are willing to pay for convenience, I've always thought a well planned full-service only gas/service station could be very successful.

Here's some things I got for free shopping online this weekend:
free shipping on my Amazon order ( for my $25+ order)
Free $50 gift card from Canon (I bought a printer and a camera)
Free poster with another order



jd

 

I had an "almost free" checking for 24 years. Only had to have about $400 in the account. Then the bank asked me to come in to get a free gift and talk to a rep. Well he switched my account to an interest bearing account. The next month I got 2 pennies of interest, and an all new $14.00 charge for account fees and returning my cancelled checks. (without telling me about the fees) When I told them to switch it back, they don't offer my old account anymore and couldn't. (They did waive all fees for a year)
My Verizon cell account used to connect me for free when I called information. Now it's a dollar every time.
I think the charge for bags encourages reusable bags. We take several canvas bags shopping, and get a credit at the store. When I see plastic bags littering the roads, hanging from trees etc. I don't mind.

 

Forgot one- I have SBC phone service but used MCI for local toll. Two months ago they tacked on a 2.00 line charge for every line. I already pay a line charge for the same lines to SBC. Emailed MCI and they refused to drop it, so I dropped them! BTW (to get even) if you call them about your bill, you can ask for a credit without talking to a human, and they just give it to you. No reason required! So I got the line charges taken off every month anyway. I'll do it again when I get my closing bill if they add it on again. Maybe even if they don't.....

 

If you get something for free there's one of two things going on. First, the person doing it is simply nice and doesn't mind loosing money. Second, the cost of the "free" items are compensated for elsewhere.

For instances of the second type, I'd much rather get charged for the privilege - because often I'd never make use of it in the first place and I'd prefer saving the money. Like "free" refills on a $2.00 Pepsi at a restaurant.

 

But even if the "free" refills go away, the price of that Pepsi isn't going to change

 

True. Once the price gets ratcheted up, it'll never go down again. A local Mexican restaurant chain charges $1.45 for soda - delivered in a regular 12oz can, and there are NO free refills.