Ways Merchants Rip Off Consumers

# Credit-card companies may lead you to believe that there's a single rate for all cardholders. If you call the phone number on the back of your card and ask for a lower rate, you will often get one -- sometimes a reduction of as much as 50 percent.

# Some banks lure customers with free credit cards, then tack on high annual fees in the second year.

# Utility companies fail to credit accounts when, say, telephone service is shut off.

# Some pharmacies give customers generic medications but charge for brand names.

# Companies routinely provide 800 numbers for orders but not for complaints.

# Businesses may expect you to pay the postage to return merchandise that is defective.

# Airlines entice travelers with advertisements for incredibly cheap flights without revealing how few seats are available at those prices.

# The prices that come up for items scanned at checkout registers are sometimes higher than those on the shelf.

# When you return merchandise to a store for a refund, clerks frequently neglect to reimburse you for the sales tax.

# Stores don't offer to reimburse you for your parking when you have to exchange faulty merchandise. If asked, however, they often will.

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