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Legal fees seen as "nickel and dime"
Carolyn Elefant at My Shingle suggests that airlines new fees for passengers who check baggage may be seen as "nickel and dime" fee increases. And, she wonders out loud whether lawyers are doing the same thing to clients when they charge for photocopying, etc.
On the other hand, could one consider this policy a fee "unbundling" of sorts? The airline has agreed to fly you and one carry-on bag; did it agree to also fly your entire closet of clothes? If they are charging those that do carry "extra" baggage (i.e., more than carry-on), they are not charging others who can fly "lighter" and thus consume less resources .... Rather than raise the fees for all, they are being selective and charging those who consume more of their resources.
Just a thought to consider, before we lump them into the "nickel and dime" category. Just because it's different doesn't make it wrong.
(Never thought I'd defend an airline practice!)
Just a thought to consider, before we lump them into the "nickel and dime" category. Just because it's different doesn't make it wrong.
(Never thought I'd defend an airline practice!)
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Ed,
Thanks for picking up this thread. I am a fan of unbundling and in many respects, it does make sense to allocate the cost of carrying luggage to those who do it rather than raising rates for all of us. But I had seen the comments in the blogs on this and also heard people on TV who were so averse to this idea, that it made me think it might not make sense. I suppose in one's practice, there are probably good ways to incorporate unbundling by offering ala carte and full service alternatives.
Carolyn
Ed,
Nice point, Ed. I never have a problem when a seller unbundles, as long as its not a bait and switch. People do hate it, though. So much so that wise consultants recommend lawyers fold the little charges into their hourly rate. That's not necessarily fair. Query what clients would say to such a lawyer if, at the retention stage, instead of saying, "we don't nickel and dime," he told them, "The fee you will be paying me is going to subsidize the long distance calls and copies that I am making in my other cases."
Ed