Processing Fees, Sign of The Beast

Brothers and Sisters it is time we rise up and fight against the dark overlords that are online registration companies. I just recieved an unlubricated fisting in the form of a $5.50 “processing fee” from Active.com. I understand that race promotion is a for profit business. I am told that websites can make money. I have no problem with that. What I do have a problem with is these online registration sites that blatently rub my nose in the profit they are making on my transaction. If I were a race promoter and I was going to use one of these companies I would make sure the “processing fee” is built in to the cost of registration. Nothing makes my blood boil more than entering all my info for a race and finding out on the payment page that I am now going to be charged and additional fee to use a service that I had no choice in using in the first place.

I know I don’t have to race it is a luxury that thankfully I can afford. Seriously Mr. Race Registration Site Owner (MRRSO) just put the “processing fee” in the total race cost up front. Dont stoop to the level of ticket brokers who tack on a “convenience” fee, or the bank ATM fees for accessing MY F’ing money. They way it is I usually will just pay a late fee to register day of. In some cases the late fee is less then online . At least then I can understand why I am being charged more.