U2 has been on my bucket list for years now. I had the chance to see them back in high school and, like an idiot, passed on the $50 ticket because I thought it was way too expensive. A few years back, I paid $270 for two tickets to see them on tour, then Bono threw out his back and the entire tour was postponed.

This time, I wasn't going to miss them. So, when I found out they were playing in Denver this summer, I got online and bought tickets.  Imagine my surprise, when I discovered a so called "convenience fee" of $55.60. Which begs the question, what kind of convenience does that fee pay for?

The entire transaction was conducted online and required no manual assistance. And they don't actually send physical tickets anymore. Am I paying an extra $55.60 for the convenience of swiping my credit card at the venue? Because that has no effect on my convenience whatsoever. I could happily print out the tickets myself and bring them with me.

On top of the "convenience fee", I was also charged a $14 "facility fee". With nearly 20,000 fans in attendance, the facility stands to make a nice chunk of change. I doubt whether the ushers or security guards at the concerts will be seeing any of those fees.

Which brings me to the point. Consumers know when we're being fleeced. We put up with the aggravation because we are willing to pay extra to see our favorite bands or sporting events. But if you're going to rob me blind, at least have the decency to call the fee exactly what it is. It's not a "convenience fee", it's an "extortion fee".  And there's not many industries that could get away with treating their consumers with such blatant disrespect.

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