To the Editor,
The world of surcharges seems to be running amok.
Today I went to purchase an electronic kitchen scale for $10, only to discover there is a recycling fee on this item of $2.75.
I realize that my supporting the economy and, as a result, creating jobs is something that should not go unpunished, but a 27.5-per cent penalty seems excessive.
And to add insult to injury, there was no mention of this surcharge in the ad or signage. It was not until it magically appeared on the checkout till that this fee reared its ugly head.
If businesses tried to add these sorts of ‘stealth charges’, it would be severely frowned upon, but it is perfectly OK when the government does it.
This charge is only supposed to cover its recycling at the end of its useful life, not provide it with a government pension.
S.I. Petersen
Nanaimo