Gougers pick our pockets and it's all legal

Aug 17 2008 Elaine C. Smith

THE Americans call it gouging - when firms charge you extra for the flimsiest of reasons.

I call it legalised stealing - and it's driving me mad.

Big companies see it as a way of taking the ordinary punter for a ride.

When it happens, there is no point shouting at the guy on the phone or the girl at the desk as they are powerless to do anything about it.

They know we are being treated like mugs.

I recently flew BA from Glasgow to London. I had hoped to check in two small bags but was told I could only put one in the hold.

"They're not heavy," I said.

The girl behind the desk replied: "It's not about the weight, it's about two bags."

With every other airline it's weight that matters but there was no point in arguing as the girl didn't work for BA (after sacking staff, they now use Servisair for check-ins).

I had to pay £20 to get two small bags into the hold.

Then I had to change a flight. Despite giving lots of notice, I was charged an extra £100 on one flight and £71 on another.

But the worst last week was Easycar. We're moving to Chichester for our next rehearsals for Calendar Girls. As we are there for six weeks, I decided to hire a car to move stuff from London.

I went online and got a deal. When, 24 hours later, I tried to hire the car for one day less, I found not only would they charge me for changing my booking but I was not due a refund.

Surely that can't be legal? But apparently it is written in tiny letters in the agreement ticked online - which most people just skim over.

It's not a huge amount of money but if it's going to be "gouged" from me, I'd rather it went to charity.

If any of you readers have been gouged, get in touch with me at the Sunday Mail.