I needed a new dishwasher installed. I am charged a $100 "diagnostic fee" - although the problem was rather clear! Then after waiting for hours, the service person arrives without a hose! Not a complicated or unique part! No hose to connect a dishwasher. For a dishwasher install service call.
They say they can come back. How excellent. I call to complain. I am told I can always use someone else. I am told the diagnostic fee is to give me a quote on the work. I point out that I did not want a quote - i just wanted the dishwasher installed. The response was "but what if we quoted $500 - then you would have said no. That's why we have a diagnostic fee." I said, I thought you were a reputable company and I would pay a fair rate for the install - never occurred to me that you would charge $500.
In short, on the phone I was essentially left with the clear impression that the business model is "pay us $100" and we will then throw a high number quote at you and if you don't take it, we got paid anyway."