Campaign 2008
News & Politics
Arts & Life
Business & Tech
Health & Science
Style & Shopping
Travel & Food
Sports
Slate on NPR
Video
More
the undercover economist
columns
the undercover economist
columns
- Why Houses Cost More in Summer
An economics mystery has finally been solved.
Tim Harford
posted Sept. 6, 2008 - The Fruits of Their Labors
An amazing economics experiment and how it got field workers to pick a lot more strawberries.
Tim Harford
posted Aug. 23, 2008 - The Wisdom of Crowds?
A single economic forecast is usually wrong. But groups of economic forecasts are often just as mistaken. Why?
Tim Harford
posted Aug. 9, 2008 - But My Neighbor Has a Cell Phone …
Finally, a sensible way to measure poverty.
Tim Harford
posted July 26, 2008 - The World Needs More Speculators
Stop demonizing the investors who are betting heavily on oil prices.
Tim Harford
posted July 12, 2008 - Search for more the undercover economist articles
- Subscribe to the the undercover economist RSS feed
- View our complete the undercover economist archive
featured advertiser links
the undercover economist: The economic mysteries of daily life.
Minibar EconomicsWhy you should stay at hotels that overcharge for drinks and Wi-Fi access.
By Tim HarfordSophisticated readers may care to seek out companies that charge hidden fees. Steer clear of the minibar, and you may get an excellent deal.
PAGE: 12
Related in Slate
Tim Harford explained why, despite the above advice, you might be tempted to plunder that minibar after all. Austan Goolsbee examined the hidden fees in 529 savings plans, which are really bad for customers. Henry Blodget's Wall Street Self Defense Manual explains why hidden charges turn good investments into bad ones. If you think you've been swindled lately, read about Nigeria's spam industry.Tim Harford is a columnist for the Financial Times. He is the author of The Undercover Economist, and his latest book is The Logic of Life.
Photograph of a minibar by Art-Line Productions/Picture Arts.
Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum
What did you think of this article?
also in slate
site map | build your own Slate
feedback | about us | help | advertise | newsletters | mobile
feedback | about us | help | advertise | newsletters | mobile
2008 Washington Post.Newsweek Interactive Co. LLC
User Agreement and Privacy Policy | All rights reserved
User Agreement and Privacy Policy | All rights reserved
also in slate
Health & Science
Bristol's 17. Why Should Her Mom Get To Decide the Fate of Her Pregnancy?
Arts & Life
The Deep-
Fried Thrills of HBO's Southern Gothic Vampire Show
News & Politics
POW McCain Refused Release. Why Didn't His Captors Just Kick Him Out?
Business & Tech
Want To Save the Planet? Buy a Cover for Your Pool.
- Today's Headlines
- No One On SWAT Team Wants To Wait In Ventilation Duct With Howard
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 09:00:53 -0400 - [audio] Homicidal Surgeon General May Be Hazardous To Your Health
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:00:43 -0400 - Evolutionists Flock To Darwin-Shaped Wall Stain
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:00:28 -0400 - » More from the Onion
OPINIONS
What's Fair Game?Anne E. Kornblut | What questions would Hillary Clinton have to answer if she were in Sarah Palin's shoes?
Editorial: Disappointment '08
- Robert Novak: Fewer Enemies Than I Thought
- Michael Gerson: McCain's Conventional Speech
- Colbert King: Fenty's Unfulfilled Promises
- Ann Telnaes: White Bread and Circuses
PLUS » Stumped: More Nonsense From McCain
- Today's Headlines
- McCain Ally Moves to Curb Probe of Palin
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:36:15 GMT - Patti Davis on What Hillary Should Say Now
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:32:47 GMT - Gellman: Resisting the Seduction of Eloquence
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:56:47 GMT - » More from Newsweek
- Today's Headlines
- Bye-Bye, Boomers
Fri, 5 September 2008 16:44:27 GMT - Living Down to Expectations
Thu, 4 September 2008 21:11:52 GMT - Busted Brand
Thu, 4 September 2008 18:58:59 GMT - » More from The Root

the undercover economist





