Consumer anger over 'hidden' online charges

25th May 2007

Online consumers across the UK are being angered by websites that apparently hide many of the costs associated with a particular purchase, according to a recent study.

The practice is referred to as 'purposely hiding what I'm looking for' (Philfing) and is the most irksome online tactic employed by website owners, according to 64 per cent of respondents to a survey commission by MoreComputers.com.

And with debt management becoming increasingly difficult for many consumers across the country, the poll found that "hidden surcharges" levied against customers paying by credit card has become an issue for many British internet shoppers.

Brian Trevaskiss, operations manager at MoreComputers.com, said: "Shopping online is without doubt quick and convenient.

"However this growing trend of Philfing is so annoying for consumers that they abandon their baskets at Philfers sites and shop elsewhere."

Earlier this week, research carried out by YouGov for the Retail Trust charity revealed that millions of British consumers risk debt management problems by spending money to relive feelings of stress.

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