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60% of first months rent for Finder's Fee?

I am having a difficult time getting over the fact that this website is charging my best friend and I (we're moving in together) a 60% finder's fee. This will total up to $480. We looked on this website to find the apartment. On the page where the apartment was listed, it said nothing about paying a finder's fee. When we were handed the application, we were then hit with it. The application is on the website but we didn't look at it, so that's our fault it came as a surprise. What I don't get is how they are deserving of 60% when they didn't do anything. They have a website, we went and searched for ourselves, and all they did was contact us via e-mail and unlock a door for us to physically look at the place. I am not against a Finder's fee, if you found something, but if all you're doing is hosting a website and having people search for themselves. How are you deserving of 60%, let alone anything? I don't mind paying a couple hundred AT MOST, but that money could easily pay for half of next months rent. I feel they didn't do anything. I am sure they are charging the landlords an arm and a leg as well.. What do you think?

Public Comments

1. I think you need to pay up. You would not have found this place without them. You used their services, now it is time to pay the bill, just like any other service.
2. It's their website therefore they found the unit and you found it there. Pay the bill, they are trying to run a business helping people find better apartments.