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52-777: Reporters can join NCRA for a fee that varies depending on whether the applicant is a student , teacher , or reporter. Membership allows a reporter to take the certifications, get discounts on conventions, attend conferences , and have access to a network of other professionals in the field . NCRA was established in 1899 in Chicago , Illinois , United States as the National Shorthand Reporters Association (NSRA). They created standardization of ethical codes , transcript rates, and information for all shorthand reporters. They published "The Shorthand Writer" and started

104-457: A denial fee , literally a fee for refusing service to the customer (if there are insufficient funds or a daily limit), and a fee to simply check the account balance at a "foreign" (other banks') ATMs. Following the financial crisis of 2007–2008 and legislation passed by Congress, banks modified many credit card agreements with customers. Like an activation fee, a setup fee is often charged by places that rent space or other things. In

156-446: A flat rate or a linear rate refers to a pricing structure that charges a single fixed fee for a service , regardless of usage. Less commonly, the term may refer to a rate that does not vary with usage or time of use. There are flat rates in the postal service, regarding the delivery of items. Postage companies use different forms of post, boxes or envelopes, to avoid having to weigh items. The on-hand cost lets consumers identify

208-413: A time of use meter , is required to charge a non-flat rate. Time of use meters can lower a customer's electricity bill, if they use electricity mostly during off-peak hours. Some utilities will allow a customer to change to a time of use meter, but they charge for the cost of the meter and installation. In real estate, "flat rate" is an alternative, nontraditional full service listing where compensation to

260-407: A "flat fee" limited service listing; and iii) it is usually paid at closing, as opposed to a "flat fee", which is usually paid when the listing agreement is executed. In most parts of the world regular users of public transport , especially commuters , make use of weekly, monthly or yearly season tickets that allow unlimited travel for a fixed fee. In some countries year passes are available for

312-438: A 12-hour day. It can be difficult to compare prices between hourly-paid and flat-rate services, and this sometimes causes rejection of flat rate shops over hourly ones. One of the newest areas where flat rate pricing is just beginning to make inroads is the medical industry . The concept has held a particular interest because of the high and rising costs of health care delivery despite legislative attempts to address them, such

364-404: A few other "cost-plus" stores, however, that add about ten percent at checkout , using the lower shelf price to trick consumers into erroneous comparison shopping . At Food Depot and other smaller low-end chain stores like this, the shelf price may be $ 1.95, when the shopper will actually be charged $ 2.15 in the end, in a sort of legalized bait and switch . (Furthermore, a disclaimer indicates

416-655: A health fee which usually covers the campus nurse, and possibly a visit to a local clinic if the student is ill . Parking fees are normally optional, because students may not have their own automobiles. However, many U.S. schools are now forcing meal plans on their students, particularly those that stay in dorms , and some force freshmen to stay in the dorms. Generally, all fees except parking are covered under scholarships, whether they are from private, government, or lottery funds. However, at least one U.S. state ( Georgia ) began denying HOPE Scholarship money for any new fees added, even by its own state schools. Services Charge

468-790: A public event . Late fees are charged when payment is not received by a deadline . These are supposedly intended to get people to pay rent or other charges on time, but these are sometimes exorbitant, or extremely out of proportion to the amount of money which is late. They can also add insult to injury for people who have hit hard financial times, making their situation worse. When added to credit card bills or check card statements , it may also cause an overlimit or NSF fee, creating an endless and inescapable cycle of fees that trigger other fees for people already stretched to their financial limit. Some retail stores add fees, mainly for "guest passes" at membership warehouses like Costco and Sam's Club , where membership dues have not been paid. There are

520-409: A separate meter. A "flat rate" (more accurately known as fixed rate) for electricity is a fixed price per unit ( kWh ), not a fixed price per month, and thus different from that for other services. An electric utility that charges a flat rate for electricity does not charge different rates based upon the demand that the customer places on the system. A customer pays the same amount whether they use

572-822: A survey in 2014 in Australia, the average labour rate for a painter was $ 39.92 per hour. American telecommunications companies commonly offer a flat rate to residential customers for local telephone calls . However, a regular rate or Message Rate is advantageous for those who make only a few short calls per month. Flat rates were rare outside the US and Canada until about 2005, but they have since become widespread in Europe for both local and long-distance calls and are now also available for mobile phone services, both for traditional GSM/UMTS voice calls and for Mobile VoIP . Most VoIP services are effectively flat-rate telephony services since only

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624-505: Is access to the Internet at all hours and days of the year (linear rate) and for all customers of the telco operator (universal) at a fixed and cheap tariff . Flat rate is common in broadband access to the Internet in the US and many other countries. A charge tariff is a class of linear rate, different from the flat rate, where the user is charged by the uploads and downloads ( data transfers ). Some GPRS / data UMTS access to

676-550: Is a fee added to a customer's bill. The purpose of a service charge often depends on the nature of the product and corresponding service provided. Examples of why this fee is charged are: travel time expenses, truck rental fees, liability and workers' compensation insurance fees, and planning fees. UPS and FedEx have recently begun surcharges for fuel. Restaurants and banquet halls charging service charges in lieu of tips must distribute them to their wait staff in some US states (e.g., Massachusetts , New York, Montana ), but in

728-642: Is a fee paid for the use of a public resource, like a park. This is most common for national parks , and often also state parks or provincial parks , and for privately owned areas. Fees are usually charged for various government services, including license plates and annual motor vehicle registration , as well as driver licenses and professional licensing . Fees are also charged for various permits, like demolition and building permits , re zoning , and land grading (which causes silt ); and sometimes for increasing stormwater runoff , destroying native vegetation, and cutting-down healthy trees. Sometimes fee

780-609: Is a type of consumer and additional add-on fee and charge which is in place in Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong restaurants and food outlets to cover the cost of the primary services and all staff costs. The services charge in these territories is 10 per cent. Services fee and charge is collected by the private company restaurant and is not a government tax. It is legal to charge Services Charges in restaurant and food outlets under Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong laws. However, restaurants and food outlets in these territories must legally disclose

832-484: Is sold a flat rates on the size (with a surcharge for images and posts) and length of the advertisement (video costs extra). Advertising on YouTube pitches at a flat rate of $ 0.30 per view. When a person runs by the YouTube home page, search page, or wherever the ad is running, the charge is $ 0.30. Tradesmen such as electricians, plumbers, and mechanics, also often charge flat rates to cover their labour for their services. In

884-476: Is to set national certification standards and assist states seeking to establish certification or licensing requirements. To that end, NCRA has administered its nationally recognized certification program for court reporters since 1937. In addition, many states currently accept or use the RPR in the place of the state certification or licensing exam. The court reporter programs offered at the following institutions have met

936-439: Is used to mask what are actually penalties or taxes. For example, Virginia's now-repealed Civil Remedial Fees were actually a tax on drivers with certain kinds of traffic law violations . At public universities and community colleges , students are charged tuition and matriculation , when can themselves be considered fees charged per credit hour . However, the term student fees typically refers to additional charges which

988-475: The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). While there have been pilot programs launched by major insurance carriers such as UnitedHealthcare to control costs in the most costly medical conditions like cancer , for now the primary application of flat-rate pricing has been in medical imaging , such as x-rays , MRIs , mammograms , and ultrasounds . Regional companies such as Med Health Services Inc. in

1040-519: The U.S. Department of Education . Alabama California Florida Illinois Iowa Michigan Minnesota New York Ohio Pennsylvania Texas Washington Wisconsin Canada Fee A fee is the price one pays as remuneration for rights or services. Fees usually allow for overhead , wages , costs , and markup . Traditionally, professionals in the United Kingdom (and previously

1092-608: The bill each month of around $ 3, passing the blame onto government regulation, and essentially charging their customers for complying with U.S. law . Bank fees are assessed to customers for various services and as penalties. There are unauthorised overdraft fees , ATM usage fees , and fees for having an account balance below the minimum daily balance . Some banks charge a fee for using tellers in an effort to encourage customers to use automated services instead. The fees have come in for criticism as excessive from consumer advocates. They have also targeted bank practices that maximize

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1144-468: The set-top box . Some companies charge for technical support , either prepaid or by using a premium-rate telephone number (such as the 1–900 numbers in North America ). In the 2000s (decade), some banks in the U.S. began charging a fee just to visit a teller , prompting such customer anger that the banks were forced to back down. A speaking fee is a payment awarded to an individual for speaking at

1196-683: The General Requirements and Minimum Standards established by the Council on Approved Student Education] (CASE) of the National Court Reporters Association, earning the right to describe themselves as NCRA-approved. In order to achieve and maintain certification, these programs agree to periodic review by CASE to verify their continued adherence to the GRMS. All NCRA-approved court reporting programs are accredited by agencies recognized by

1248-405: The Internet in some countries of Europe has no flat rate pricing, following the traditional "metered mentality". Because of this, users prefer using fixed lines (with narrow or broadband access) to connect to the Internet. A wavy rate is not a linear rate, because the Internet surfer pays the monthly fixed price to use the connection only during a certain range of hours of the day (i.e. only in

1300-779: The National Speed Contest, which is still held today. NCRA developed the first standardized test for court reporters to gauge their proficiency . Called the Certificate of Proficiency, it was replaced by the Registered Professional Reporter. NCRA supports individuals through education and certification, promotion of the stenographic profession throughout the legal industry, and defense of the industry in government. NCRA provides news and information to its members through email newsletters and its JCR magazine, as well as on its website. One of NCRA's primary objectives

1352-505: The Republic of Ireland) receive a fee in contradistinction to a payment, salary, or wage, and often use guineas rather than pounds as units of account . Under the feudal system , a Knight's fee was what was given to a knight for his service, usually the usage of land. A contingent fee is an attorney's fee which is reduced or not charged at all if the court case is lost by the attorney. A service fee , service charge , or surcharge

1404-504: The U.S. are notorious for huge early-termination fees, typically starting at $ 175, and falling by only a few dollars per month, no matter the actual cost of or subsidy to the phone. Some mortgage companies also charge early payment penalties if the homeowner pays more than is due in order to reduce the interest owed and to shorten the remaining term of the loan. The fees typically negate this advantage at least in part. There are also fees charged for any type of termination even if

1456-569: The United States of America, restaurant add on services charge is optional, because it has a tipping system. When the customer tips the restaurant it become a form of services fee. In Australia the restaurant and food outlet services charge add on is included in the price of the food meals. However some restaurants and food outlets make additional services charges on public holiday and Sundays, known as public holidays surcharge. The public holiday surcharge in Australia can range from 10% to 15% to cover

1508-491: The assessment of fees and fees that can add up to many times the amount of small transactions. U.S. banks extract fees from automatic teller machine (ATM) transactions that are made at rival banks, even if the customer's home bank has no branch in a particular area (such as when the customer is on vacation ). Customers are sometimes charged twice, both by the bank that owns the ATM , and again by their bank. Bank of America charges

1560-435: The broadband internet fees must be paid for PC-to-PC calls, and the calls themselves are free. Some PC -to- telephone services, such as SkypeOut offer flat rates for national calls to landlines. Premium television or Pay TV usually charges a flat monthly fee for a channel or a bundle or "tier" of channels, but some cable television companies also offer Pay per view pricing. For Internet service providers , flat rate

1612-414: The case of self-storage businesses, this negates claims of "only one dollar for the first month" made by Public Storage and others. Apartment complexes often charge fees for pets (mainly dogs and cats). Some complexes euphemistically call these a non-refundable deposit , ignoring the definition of a deposit as inherently being refundable. A title company or attorney collects a variety of fees in

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1664-414: The charge/fee to customers who dine at the venue. Refusing or declining to disclose to customers an additional services charge is illegal under consumer law. Restaurants could face heavy fines or a warning. In normal circumstances in other countries the services fee charges of 10% is included in the price of the meal. The disadvantage is that this can create misunderstanding and confusion for some people. In

1716-604: The company facilitating the transaction. Ticketmaster and others charge this, and have made a business model of it. However, such groups have a monopoly on particular events or even entire concert venues . Airlines have long charged fees for changing flights , and for excess luggage . However, with the oil price increases since 2003 , many are increasing fees. In May 2008, it was announced that some would be charging even for just one checked bag, making it nearly impossible to avoid. Airlines have also invented fees for nearly every "service" that has always previously been included in

1768-576: The contract was expired. In the suburban Atlanta county of Gwinnett for example, customers were hit with termination fees of over $ 23 when the county commission chose not to renew the contracts of the county trash collectors in November 2008. The two companies charged this both in violation of county law and in breach of contract . An impact fee is a charge which a developer must pay to local government, in order to raise money for capital improvements to roads, libraries, and other services upon which

1820-546: The cost and removes the hassle of estimate the cost for items. The United States Postal Service offers flat-rate pricing for packages selling different postage options varying in size and shape. That provides consumers with an array of options upfront, creating a sense of ease. When shipped in higher volumes, it saves money but there are issues if both the flat rate and regular delivery systems are used simultaneously. Flat rate also passes into advertising. Purchasing advertisements on websites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

1872-483: The cost of staff working on holidays or weekends. Hidden fees, surprise fees or junk fees are fees that are not mentioned until payment is required, or only mentioned in small print . Examples include resort fees . These are illegal in some countries. Joe Biden has pushed federal agencies to limit junk fees in the United States in 2024 through the FTC , FCC and CFPB . Flat fee A flat fee , also referred to as

1924-438: The course of handling the purchase of a house at a closing . These may include fees for tax service, flood certification, underwriting , appraisal , credit report , record deed, record deed trust, loan signing and processing. With respect to events tickets , online reservations and payments, and other transactions, there is sometimes a service charge (often called a convenience fee ) that serves as additional compensation for

1976-406: The electricity in bursts during mid-day, when demand and the utility's costs are highest, or if they spread it out over the entire day. However, if the customer uses a different amount of electricity, they are charged a higher or lower amount. Residential customers and small businesses are usually charged a flat rate, though not the same rate per kilowatt-hour . A special type of electricity meter ,

2028-753: The entire national railway network (e.g. the Bahncard100 in Germany for about €3000 and the Österreichcard offered by the Austrian Federal Railways ). Some, such as the Eurail Pass, are intended for foreigners, in order to encourage tourism. Road users are normally charged a combination of fixed and variable fees, in the form of vehicle duty and fuel duty . Motorway tolls in some countries (Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia) are paid by purchasing weekly, monthly or annual stickers attached to

2080-400: The fees. An activation fee is prevalent throughout the cellphone industry and is generally assessed to cover costs of line activations and enhancements to networks. Another fee is the early-termination fee applied nearly universally to cellphone contracts, supposedly to cover the remaining part of the subsidy that the provider prices the phones with. If the user terminates before the end of

2132-433: The listing agent is not based on a percentage of the selling price but instead is a fixed dollar amount that is typically paid at closing. The rate is generally less than a gross 6% commission, resulting in a lowered cost of selling real estate. "Flat rate" is different from "flat fee" in several ways: i) it is generally substantially more than a "flat fee" rate; ii) it generally represents a full service listing as opposed to

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2184-410: The morning or, more typically, only at night). Cities and towns normally arrange a flat fee for the power used by street lights . This is because the lights come on and turn off at predictable times, generally off-peak, and the total draw for the entire town can be accurately calculated in advance. This allows the lamps to be placed on existing poles and wired directly into the electrical wiring without

2236-453: The new land development places a burden. This prevents existing residents from being forced to pay in taxes, in addition to already having to put-up with the traffic, noise , and environmental damage of the new development. In government, the difference between a fee and a tax is that a fee is paid for specific goods or services rendered by the government, while a tax has no connection to the benefits received for an individual. A user fee

2288-444: The quantity of their contents, i.e. whether they contained one sheet of paper or were filled to the maximum. Flat rate is a pricing scheme whereby the customer pays a fixed price for a service regardless of how long the worker takes to carry out the service. Flat rate manuals are based on timed studies of the typical time taken for each type of service. Flat rate helps provide a uniform pricing menu for service work and helps establish

2340-467: The shelf price is not even the actual cost to the store.) An early-termination fee is charged by a company when a customer wants or needs to be released from a contract before it expires . One example is when a renter leaves an apartment before a year-long contract is over. If tenants rent for a shorter period, or month-to-month, they are instead charged significantly more per month, and are often denied any promotional deals . Mobile phone companies in

2392-447: The state of Kentucky may keep them. A fee may be a flat fee or a variable one, or part of a two-part tariff . A membership fee is charged as part of a subscription business model . For telecommunications services such as high-speed Internet and mobile phones, an activation fee is commonly assessed, although most companies fail to include it in the advertised price, resulting in customer missperception on assessment and validity of

2444-550: The student is required to pay, typically no matter how many hours the student is taking in the academic term . Commonly this is a student activity fee, which helps to fund student organisations , particularly those which are academic in nature; and those which serve all students equally, like student government and student media. A newer fee is the technology fee , which is often charged to students by schools when state government funding fails to meet needs for computers and other classroom technology . Students may also be charged

2496-493: The term, he or she will be charged, often well over $ 100. In the U.S., mobile phone companies have come under heavy criticism for this anti-competitive practice , and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering limits to prevent price gouging , such as requiring the fees to be prorated . Many cable TV and telephone companies , including AT&T , include a regulatory-cost recovery fee in

2548-449: The ticket price. While the extra income may be necessary to prevent bankruptcy, the practice of not including mandatory fees in the stated price is deceptive. Airports also charge landing fees to airlines in order to cover costs, particularly airport security . Some businesses charge fees just for talking to a customer service representative. DirecTV charges this when ordering a pay-per-view movie via telephone instead of through

2600-472: The windscreen. At some stage, the concept of the flat rate was even introduced into passenger air traffic in the form of American Airlines' AAirpass . In dealing with the shipping of parcels and documents, a "flat rate for international deliveries of packet size #1" would mean that the same shipping charge (for example US$ 15.00) would be applicable to all packets of this size, regardless of their designated destination (country of recipient), and regardless of

2652-476: The work more efficiently. This system can also cost the worker if they do not perform a job within the allotted time such as in the case of an inexperienced worker or on a job where there is something preventing the service from being performed that the labor manual can't take into account. In automotive shops this is common due to rusted, seized, or stripped bolts or aftermarket installations. In some circumstances automotive technicians can get paid 0 hours for working

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2704-432: The worth of performing a particular job. In recent times some automotive companies have begun using computer algorithms to calculate labor times with a high degree of accuracy. The benefit to the customer is that if a worker takes longer than this, the cost does not rise. The downfall to the customer is that this can lead to overpaying in some cases. The benefit to the worker is that it promotes incentive to learn how to do

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