\”Black box operation for smart home installation fee: 799 yuan router installation actually contains 500 yuan technical confidentiality fee\”

Real case (Reported by Hangzhou Daily on February 25, 2025): Ms. Wang purchased a flagship router of a certain brand of 799 yuan and was charged 500 yuan for a \”technical confidentiality fee\” when installing it. The staff claimed: \”If you don\’t pay the money, you cannot activate the equipment security protocol.\” After investigation by the Market Supervision Bureau, the fee is actually a fictitious fee item.

Industry shady triple routine

1️⃣ Technical confidentiality fee trap

• Using users\’ unfamiliarity with smart devices, conventional debugging is packaged into \”encryption services\”
• The charges account for 62% of the total price (positiveThe regular installation fee should be less than 15% of the equipment price)

2️⃣ Unknown rules for bundling sales

• Forced purchase of high-priced brackets/net cables (Category 6 cables cost 5 yuan for 88 yuan)
• No value-added services will delay the construction period

3️⃣ Remote control mine burial

• Remote debugging port is enabled by default during installation (hidden authorization in Article 5.3 of the contract clause)
• Secondary charges can be charged for \”system upgrade\” under the excuse

Consumer Self-Protection Guide

1. Requires split quotation (details of equipment/manual/value-added services)
2. Disable non-essential remote permissions (see Attachment 11.14 of the contract)
3. Retain a complete communication record (default \”temporary price increase\”)

Voting interaction in the comment area:
❓Have you ever been charged an invisible fee for smart home installation?
① Being cheated over 500 yuan ② Encountering a small routine within 200 yuan ③ Temporary safety

Tour of the comment area: \”The light calibration fee is charged for installing a smart curtain. What other outrageous charges have you seen?