Your screenshot says "$492 total" which includes the cleaning and service fees. The service and cleaning fees are set by the host, and can be $0.
Then it adds the California taxes on the checkout page. That is what hotels do too.
Then it adds the California taxes on the checkout page. That is what hotels do too.
And yes, I know the difference is due to taxes not being included in the sticker price, but why oh god why is it up to me to do weird math to figure out if I actually have enough $$$ to pay for what I'd like to have.
Well, one reason is: to make you aware of the tax burden (and judge if that % is kept at a reasonable level), rather than hiding it in the total price.
But in my opinion it's backward, instead of being up-front about costs, they are HIDING costs. I can still see how much taxes is taken when I get a receipt in France for example, it's just not hidden from you at the beginning of the transaction.
It is still hidden, and not the fair price (which they could calculate).
> That is what hotels do too
Hotels who do this are scammy IMO. I've only seen this in the US.
I just tried on Marriott and Hilton in SF.
They both did this.
hopefully they stop this anti-consumer practice. I'm hopping AirBnB can lead the way there.