I ran into something similar—thought I had everything lined up, then noticed a “courier fee” that made zero sense. When I asked about it, the lender got cagey, which honestly just made me more suspicious. It’s wild how fast those extras pile up if you’re not careful.
“thought I had everything lined up, then noticed a ‘courier fee’ that made zero sense. When I asked about it, the lender got cagey, which honestly just made me more suspicious.”
- Totally get where you’re coming from. Those “miscellaneous” fees can be a real minefield.
- I’ve seen lenders tack on things like “processing” or “document review” charges that don’t actually reflect any real service.
- In my experience, if a lender can’t clearly explain a fee, that’s a red flag. Transparency should be standard, not optional.
- Sometimes these fees are negotiable, but they count on people not questioning them. I’ve pushed back before and had stuff waived or reduced.
- One thing I always do now: ask for a full itemized breakdown before signing anything. If they hesitate, I start looking elsewhere.
- Not every extra is a scam, but the lack of clarity is what gets me. Why not just be upfront?
It’s wild how quickly those little charges add up—especially when you’re already stretching to make the numbers work. Just wish more folks knew to double-check every line item...
It’s surprising how many people just accept those vague fees without a second thought. I always tell clients—if you don’t understand what you’re paying for, ask until you do. Lenders should be able to justify every line item. If they can’t, that’s a problem. Sometimes I’ve seen “courier fees” on digital-only transactions... makes you wonder. It’s not just about the money, either—it’s about trust. If they’re dodgy about small stuff, what else are they hiding?
Honestly, I’m right there with you on the whole “question everything” approach. It’s wild how many random charges just sneak their way onto those closing docs. I remember when I was shopping around, I kept seeing “processing fees” and “document prep fees” that seemed to mean the same thing… but both were listed. When I asked about it, one lender actually got kind of defensive, which was a red flag for me. If they can’t explain it in plain English, why should I trust them with my money?
I get that some fees are legit—people have to get paid for their work—but courier fees for an all-digital process? That’s just sketchy. Makes me wonder if they’re hoping people are too overwhelmed to notice. I’ve started making a habit of going line by line and just straight-up asking, “What is this for?” Sometimes it’s awkward, but honestly, it’s my money on the line.
You’re totally right about the trust thing. If they’re cagey about a $30 fee, what happens when something bigger comes up? I’d rather deal with someone who’s upfront, even if their rates aren’t the absolute lowest. At least then I know what I’m getting into.
Have you ever had a lender actually remove a fee after you questioned it? I’ve had mixed results—sometimes they’ll just say “it’s standard,” but once or twice, they’ve knocked something off when I pushed back. Makes me wonder how much of this stuff is just padded in because most people don’t ask.
Anyway, props for calling this out. It’s easy to feel like you’re being a pain by asking questions, but honestly, it’s your right. If more people did it, maybe these junk fees would start disappearing… or at least we’d all know what we’re paying for.
If they can’t explain it in plain English, why should I trust them with my money?
Couldn’t agree more. If a lender gets defensive about a simple question, that’s a huge warning sign. I’ve seen plenty of “standard” fees disappear once someone actually pushes back—especially those vague admin or courier charges. It’s wild how often they’ll just quietly remove them if you call them out. Honestly, the best lenders I’ve worked with are the ones who’ll walk you through every line, no attitude. Transparency should be non-negotiable, even if it means paying a bit more for peace of mind.
