21 Infuriating Business Practices That Exploit Consumers Daily

In today's economy, with endless energy crises and creeping inflation, everyone is watching their spending more closely than ever. It's particularly frustrating when companies employ dubious methods to squeeze extra pennies from consumers. A recent discussion on the AskUK subreddit, sparked by user HoraceorDoris, highlighted some of the most annoying business practices that have people fizzing with rage.

Here are some of the most egregious examples shared by the community:

• Manchester Airport's Drop-off Scam: Charging £5 for five minutes of drop-off time, but with intentionally slow payment machines to ensure you exceed the time limit.
• Ticketmaster's Handling Fees: Exorbitant fees added at checkout for no apparent reason.
• Subscription Traps: Easy to sign up online, but requiring a phone call and a sales pitch to cancel.
• Hidden Fees: Exorbitant 'admin' or 'processing' fees tacked onto essential services, like legal documents.
• Insurance Industry Tactics: Practices like no-claims bonuses and premium hikes after a claim, making it hard to actually benefit from insurance.
• Forced Tipping: The expectation to tip for average or below-average service, even in online shops.
• Product Degradation: Known as 'enshittification', where products become more expensive but lower in quality.
• Charity Donation Prompts: Companies asking for charity donations at checkout to boost their own marketing, not necessarily the charity's benefit.

These practices not only exploit consumers but also erode trust in businesses. It's a reminder to stay vigilant and call out these tactics when we see them.