Annals of Idiocy No. 34,367

[RSE]

I want to pay my daughter's semester bill at college. I go to the website to make an online payment, and on top of the not inconsiderable bill the college wants to charge me a 2.5% convenience fee on top of that. You know what was convenient? Writing a check and putting the invoice in the post office box. I spend 49 cents on a stamp, and the school gets its money a week later than it would have.

[slag]

That shit is ridiculous ... same thing applied to the colleges I paid (am paying) retail for when I tried to get air miles out of it ... the fucking "convenience" fee was more than the points were worth.

[Riccardo]

Wow that is idiotic

Getting ready to pay for my son's first semester - will have to see if they have a similar policy

[JB]

Yup just had same thing happen while paying

at both of my kids (2 different institutions) colleges. Guess tuition etc. isn't enough

[Eagle Road]

at both of my kids (2 different institutions) colleges. Guess tuition etc. isn't enough

Must be the "new math" lol.

[IronEagle]

My guess is they are trying to recover the fee the credit card company charges them. I can see where 2.5 percent of a big tuition bill is a hefty chunk of change but as long as you can pay by check is it that big of a problem?

[Bardy]

Exactly - if they take credit cards without the fee, they lose 3% of the tuition (give or take). The extra week of float doesn't come close to the cut they pay to the credit card company. It's just a higher dollar version of what gas stations do with different cash/credit pricing.

[Riccardo]

yeah makes sense

Should be able to pay via e-check without charge

[TerpEagle]

Exactly - if they take credit cards without the fee, they lose 3% of the tuition (give or take). The extra week of float doesn't come close to the cut they pay to the credit card company. It's just a higher dollar version of what gas stations do with different cash/credit pricing.

Credit cards need to start offering 3% cash back on tuition payments like they do for gas stations. That totally negates saving $0.05 at $3.50-$4.00/gallon

[slag]

Who doesn't know this?

The cost of tuition is so fucking out of whack with anything else in terms of inflation, they should be throwing a bone to any parent who can keep their kid out of debt.

What is it, 35 percent of college grads are living at home either because their degree doesn't get them a job or they have too much debt even if they are working?

[RSE]

Indeed I should be able to pay by echeck without a fee.

[slag]

The only way I've been able to avoid fees online is with an account to account transfer (and I think that's because I happen to bank at the same one the school does).

[Ellsworth]

Fight the power, RSE

[Ellsworth]

What was the final damage for your sex change operation?

[RSE]

You're just pushing buttons because your kids won't be going to college. Their college funds are on the Jinxworth Savings Plan.