Ask anything about a price

Cited, plain-English answers to 17 of the questions consumers actually ask about pricing, billing, refunds and rights.

Fairness answers

• Why does the same product cost different prices in different stores? — The same product costs different prices across stores primarily due to varying business strategies, operational costs,…
• Is it legal for restaurants to add a mandatory service fee? — Yes, in the U.S., it is generally legal for restaurants to add a mandatory service fee, provided they clearly disclose…
• How do I know if my mechanic is overcharging me? — You can detect potential overcharging by comparing repair estimates with multiple auto shops, researching fair labor ra…
• What's a fair markup on auto parts? — Auto parts markups generally range from 20% to 50% for new parts, depending on the part type, retailer, and whether ins…
• Why are hospital bills so much higher than the actual cost? — Hospital bills can be significantly higher than the actual cost due to a complex and often opaque pricing system, drive…
• Can a contractor charge me more than the estimate? — Yes, a contractor can legally charge more than an initial estimate, especially if the estimate was non-binding or if un…
• How much should a basic plumbing visit cost? — A basic plumbing visit in the U.S. typically costs between $175 and $450 for minor repairs, with a national average oft…
• Is it legal to charge a credit card surcharge? — Yes, in most of the United States, it is legal for merchants to charge a credit card surcharge, also known as a "checko…
• Why does my phone bill keep going up? — Your phone bill may be increasing due to annual price hikes, expiring promotions, added fees and taxes, or using more d…
• What is a reasonable late fee on a utility bill? — Reasonable late fees on utility bills in the U.S. typically range from 1.5% of the outstanding balance or a flat fee be…
• Are resort fees and destination fees legal? — Yes, resort fees and destination fees are generally legal in the U.S., but the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) views man…
• Is surge pricing legal during emergencies? — In the United States, surge pricing during emergencies, often called price gouging, is illegal in many states. Most sta…
• How do I tell if a medical bill is inflated? — You can identify a potentially inflated medical bill by comparing the charges to your Explanation of Benefits (EOB), re…
• Can a gym refuse to let me cancel my membership? — A gym generally cannot refuse to let you cancel your membership, but they can enforce the terms of your contract regard…
• What's a fair markup on prescription medications? — There is no universally defined "fair" markup on prescription medications in the U.S., as prices are influenced by a co…
• What is a fair price for typical monthly renters insurance in the US? — Many renters in the US can expect to pay between $15 to $20 per month for renters insurance, with the national average…
• What’s a good credit card rate for someone when 650 credit score — With a 650 score (considered “fair”), expect credit card APRs commonly in the high‑teens to mid‑20s percent—often ~20%–…

How FairPriceGuru works

FairPriceGuru is a free consumer price-fairness service. We benchmark what things actually cost, then let you check your own bill, quote or invoice against those benchmarks. Every price we quote is tied to a named source, we do not accept payment to change a verdict, and none of our tools require an account.

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