[NutBrnHair]

Isn't it somewhat like the application fee for admission to colleges/universities? You pay the fee to be considered. There is no promise you will be accepted. You don't even get a T-shirt. I guess Admissions departments use the money to defer administrative costs and as a deterrent to keep "John & Mary Everybody" (those who aren't serious about applying) from wasting their time.

As an example...the undergraduate application fee for admission to Stanford? $95