concealed cost

[kənˈsiːld kɔːst]
nounpl: concealed costs
custo oculto
1. An expense or charge that is not immediately apparent, disclosed, or itemized, often hidden within a product's price or service agreement
The advertised price seemed reasonable, but there were concealed costs that appeared only after purchase.
O preço anunciado parecia razoável, mas havia custos ocultos que apareceram apenas após a compra.
2. A hidden financial burden or obligation that is not transparently communicated to the consumer or stakeholder
When buying a house, homeowners must be aware of concealed costs such as maintenance and property taxes.
Ao comprar uma casa, os proprietários devem estar cientes de custos ocultos, como manutenção e impostos prediais.
3. In business and economics, expenses that are not readily visible in financial statements or advertising
The company's profitability improved after eliminating concealed costs in their supply chain.
A lucratividade da empresa melhorou após eliminar custos ocultos em sua cadeia de suprimentos.
The concept of concealed costs is particularly relevant in Brazilian consumer culture, where transparency in pricing is an ongoing concern. The term gained prominence following consumer protection regulations (Código de Defesa do Consumidor) that emphasize clear disclosure of all costs. In the US, awareness of concealed costs is common in discussions about subscription services, online purchases, and financial products, reflecting a consumer-conscious marketplace.
NYC Slang
hidden fees, surprise charges, gotcha costs
Synonyms / Sinônimos
hidden costindirect costimplicit costembedded costlatent expense
Antonyms / Antônimos
transparent costexplicit costdisclosed costvisible expense

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
custo oculto
Most common term used in business and consumer contexts
Brazil
despesa escondida
Alternative, more colloquial term emphasizing deception
Brazil
custo implícito
Used in academic and technical financial contexts
Portugal
custo oculto
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; also used in Portuguese formal business

Related Words

hidden chargefine printoverheadsurchargefeeexpenseliability

Related Idioms & Phrases

the real cost of doing business
read the fine print
there's a catch
what you see is not what you get
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