Without a detailed listing of fees, this thread is a random rant.

The core charge is a pain, salvage yards do this so they don't loose the value of the metal for scrap. Starters and alternators are rebuild items so a core charge / return is acceptable.

If you really want a core charge to complain about, Haas machine tool ( from CA ) charges a 100% core charge on _every_ part bought. Buy a $ 25 rubber toothed belt? There is a $ 25 core charge if you don't return the old one, and you have to pay shipping to CA even if you bought the parts from the local dealer.

I'm OK with a core charge on parts that are sold as rebuilt and they need cores to rebuild.

Haas claims the core charge is so they can inspect the parts and improve them. I say it is so they can reduce the number of used parts / cores in the wild.